Consumer News

FTC Made in USA Actions Since 1996

A review of the FTC's Made in USA enforcement actions

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Consumer News

FTC Made in USA Actions Since 1996

Editor’s Note: In a 3-2 vote, the FTC in July 2021 finalized its Made in USA Labeling Rule. Our original story follows.

The FTC has brought more than 250 made in the USA actions since 1996. The vast majority (i.e., more than 200) of the actions were in the form of closing letters that did not lead to further action. Thirty-five were administrative actions, all but ten of which resulted in no-money, no-fault settlements. And seven were federal court cases, two of which were filed because the companies violated settlement agreements entered in administrative actions. The following is a breakdown of the FTC’s made in the USA actions by year, as well as a list of all of the FTC’s actions since 1996.

For more of TINA.org’s coverage of made in USA marketing claims, click here.

Breakdown of the FTC's Made in USA Actions by Year

Year Federal Court Cases Administrative Actions Closing Letters
1996 0 2 0
1997 0 0 0
1998 0 0 0
1999 0 8 0
2000 0 0 0
2001 0 2 0
2002 0 5 0
2003 0 0 0
2004 0 0 0
2005 0 0 0
2006 1 0 0
2007 0 0 0
2008 0 0 0
2009 0 0 1
2010 0 0 1
2011 0 0 3
2012 0 0 8
2013 0 1 11
2014 0 1 15
2015 0 0 28
2016 1 0 28
2017 0 2 22
2018 1 2 21
2019 1 2 23
2020 0 2 18
2021 0 2 15
2022 2 2 9
2023 0 4 10
2024 1 0 0
Total 7 35 213

1996-2000

Company

(Year)

Type of Action Status/Outcome If settled, any $ penalty?
Hyde Athletic Industries

(1996)

Administrative Settled No
New Balance Athletic Shoe

(1996)

Administrative Settled No
Wire Works and Electrodes Inc

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
Physicians Formula Cosmetics

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
American Honda Motor Co

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
Johnson Worldwide Associates

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
Kubota Tractor

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
Rand International Leisure Products

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
USDrives

(1999)

Administrative Settled No
Stanley Works

(1999)

Administrative Settled No

2001-2005

Company

(Year)

Type of Action Status/Outcome If settled, any $ penalty?
Black & Decker and Kwikset Corp

(2001)

Administrative Settled No
Jore Corp

(2001)

Administrative Settled No
A & S Pharmaceutical Corp

(2002)

Administrative Settled No
Leiner Health Products

(2002)

Administrative Settled No
LNK International

(2002)

Administrative Settled No
Perrigo Co

(2002)

Administrative Settled No
Pharmaceutical Formulations

(2002)

Administrative Settled No

2006-2010

Company

(Year)

Type of Action Status/Outcome If settled, any $ penalty?
Stanley Works

(2006)

Federal Court Settled $205,000
Long John Silver’s

(2009)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Ritter Chemical

(2010)

Closing Letter No further action n/a

2011-2015

Company

(Year)

Type of Action Status/Outcome If settled, any $ penalty?
Munchkin

(2011)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
IKEA

(2011)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
EBI, LLC

(2011)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Lucky Brand Dungarees

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Summer Infant

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Seatbelt Solutions

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
SeatBeltsPlus.com

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Beam Industries

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
G&A Investments

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Gilmour Manufacturing Co

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Hawk Enterprises

(2012)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
PetSmart

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Little Giant Ladders

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Regency Wraps

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
All-Clad Metalcrafters

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Midwest Motion Products

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Dental USA

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
J.K. Adams Co

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
MadeInTheUSA.com

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Action Coupling & Equipment

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
U.S. Coupling & Accessories

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Lava Cable

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
E.K. Ekcessories

(2013)

Administrative Settled No
Kochek

(2013)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Made in the USA Brand, LLC

(2014)

Administrative Settled No
Windward Design Group

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Burley Clay Products

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Fresh Produce Holdings

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Shinn Fu Co of America

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Spacelabs Healthcare

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
AS America

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Graco

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Rapiscan Systems

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Niagara Industries

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
D’Addario & Co

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Circle Y Saddles

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Karen Kane Inc

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Croakies

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Attwood Corp

(2014)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Ariens Co

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Florida Tile

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Aeromotive Inc

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
84 Lumber Co

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Global Syn-Turf

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Office Depot

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Toagoesi America

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Platinum Pets

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Element Electronics

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Military Pet

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Quickie Manufacturing

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Gorilla Glue Co

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
San Antonio Shoe

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
NHS Inc

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
The Coleman Co

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Nordic Ware/Norland Aluminum Products

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Henkel Corp

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Spray Pal

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
OMG, Inc

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Walmart

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Tramontina USA

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Niall Luxury Goods

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
SnugZ USA

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Velocity Holdings

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Associated Equipment Corp

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Weiss Watch Co

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Pro Performance dba HarpArm

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Crimson Trace

(2015)

Closing Letter No further action n/a

2016-2020

Company

(Year)

Type of Action Status/Outcome If settled, any $ penalty?
Chemence

(2016)

Federal Court Settled $220,000
Blount International

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Laser Products Industries

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Ballistic Fabrication

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
American Furniture Manufacturing

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Wright Tool Co

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Winholt Equipment Group

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
P&L Industries dba LaserLyte

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Veilux

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Origin PC

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Peripheral Logix dba Ergoprise

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Leggett & Platt

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Rico Industries

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Wayfair

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
J.W. Manufacturing

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Hexacon Electric Co

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Justin Brands

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Frameware

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Bedrock Manufacturing dba Shinola/Detroit and Filson Holdings

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
MistCooling and Hydrobreeze

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Lotus Computer USA

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Tacony Corp

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Mega Sign

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
TecNiq

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
JL Audio

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Window Design Group

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Commando Lock Co

(2016)

Closing Letter No further n/a
American Scientific Lighting Corp dba ASL Lighting

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Advanced Air Systems dba Powertank

(2016)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Block Division

(2017)

Administrative Settled No
iSpring Water Systems

(2017)

Administrative Settled No
Axis LED Group dba Patriot Tube

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
RGF Environment Group

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
New Sensor Corp dba Electro-Harmonix

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Target

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Ratio LLC

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Wilson Electronics

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Suntactics

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
APEC Water Systems

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Versa Products dba VersaTables, VersaDesks, Thrive Furniture, and Vanity Girl Hollywood

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Cardinal Scale Manufacturing

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Innovative Office Products

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Hoshizaki America

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Thales e-Security

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Harimatec

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Excel Industries dba Hustler Turf Equipment and BigDog Mower Co

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Georgia Exposition Manufacturing Corp

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Hyperform dba SeaDek and SwimDek

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Diggers Pool Services

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Watchfire Sign

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Maingear

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
High Technology

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
B/A Products Co

(2017)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Bollman Hat Co and SaveAnAmericanJob dba American Made Matters

(2018)

Administrative Settled No
Redwood Scientific Technologies

(2018)

Federal Court Pending n/a
Nectar Brand LLC

(2018)

Administrative Settled No
The Solid Wood Cabinet Co

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
IKEA Purchasing Services

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Prodeco Technologies

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Neutral Posture

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Rainbow Play Systems

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
EBSCO Sign Group

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Saylite dba Mobern Lighting

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Hallmark Cards

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Tradenet Enterprise dba Vantage LED

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Superwinch

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Semyx

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Daktronics

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Williams-Sonoma

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Jantec Sign Group

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Prime-Line Products Co

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
RentACoop

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Gillette

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Eversan

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
KONG Co

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Emotiva Audio

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Electrolux North America

(2018)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Sandpiper of California and PiperGear USA

(2019)

Administrative Settled No
Patriot Puck

(2019)

Administrative Settled No
iSpring Water Systems

(2019)

Federal Court Settled $110,000
Whiteside Machine & Repair Co

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
3D Solutech

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Cirrus Systems

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Native Ken Eyewear

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Solve America’s Problems dba TV Liquidator

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Antigravity Batteries

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Norland International dba American Beer Equipment

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
LG Hausys America

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Bragel International dba NuBra

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Systematic Controls dba Valtorc International USA

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
UNEX Corp dba HYTORC

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
American LED Technology

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Golden Brothers dba Golden Technologies

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
CURT Group

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Kenall Manufacturing Co

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Linmore LED Labs

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Iron Company

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Rogue Fitness

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Outlaw Audio

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Nevco, Inc.

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Prismview

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Spaghetti Engineering Corp. d/b/a DIGI-TAILS

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Solas Ray and Direct Tech Sales

(2019)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Ensurement.com d/b/a Bulkfilter

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
LumenFocus

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Titan Tool

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Aqua Marine Deck

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
J-B Weld Company

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Williams-Sonoma

(2020)

Administrative Settled $1,000,000
Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc. d/b/a The BBQ Guru, Inc.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
sonnen, Inc.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Globetech Manufacturing Inc.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
IRIS US, Inc.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Merrill Manufacturing

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Bihler of America, Inc. d/b/a Bihlerflex, LLC, Perfect Bungee, and Jersey Dog Co.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Electric Bike Company

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Sunex International, Inc.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
American Crafts, L.C.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Zoeller Pump Company, LLC

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Keen Pump Company

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Dal-Tile Corp.

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Dude Products

(2020)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Chemence, Inc.

(2020)

Administrative Settled $1.2 million

2021-Present

Company

(Year)

Type of Action Status/Outcome If settled, any $ penalty?
Key-Bak

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Gennex Media LLC

(2021)

Administrative Settled $146,249.24
Boogie Bikes

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Mia Secret

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
ThreeBond International

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
GhostBed

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Alpha Brewing Operations

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Spa Nails Supply

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Resident Home, LLC

(2021)

Administrative Settled $753,300
Netbrands

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Electric Mirror

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Vinotemp

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Designing Fire

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Attic Breeze

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Origin USA

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Neaties Home also d/b/a ONE11 Trade

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
KLOS Guitars

(2021)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Crate and Barrel

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
A.F. Lorts Co. d/b/a Lorts Manufacturing
(2022)
Closing Letter No further action n/a
FiberBuilt Umbrellas and Cushions

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Lithionics Battery, LLC

(2022)

Federal Court Settled $105,319.56
Lions Not Sheep

(2022)

Administrative Settled $211,335
Streamline Washdown Equipment

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Grado Labs

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action No
Altronix Corp.

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action No
Diamondback Toolbelts

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action No
Axis LED Group and ALG-Health

(2022)

Federal Court Settled $157,683.37
Electrowarmth Products

(2022)

Administrative Action Settled $815,809
Liberty Pumps

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Smoke Guard

(2022)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Instant Brands

(2023)

Administrative Settled $129,416
Seaside Casual Furniture

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Crenshaw Lighting

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Kaisa USA, Inc.

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Cycra Inc.

(2023)

Administrative Settled $872,577
ClaroLux

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Chaucer Leather, Bates Accessories, and others

(2023)

Administrative Settled $191,481
American Bicycle Group LLC d/b/a Litespeed, Quintana Roo, and Obed

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Crown Seating

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Levlovs LLC d/b/a Open Harbors Open Hearts LLC

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Ramcoa

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Pet Stop and Xtreme Dog Fence

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Advantage Lifts

(2023)

Closing Letter No further action n/a
Old Southern Brass

(2023)

Administrative Settled $4,572,137.66, partially suspended due to company’s inability to pay; $150,000 to be paid to FTC
Kubota Tractor

(2024)

Federal court Settled $2 million

*This chart contains information about the FTC’s actions regarding its “all or virtually all” made in the USA standard. It does not include the agency’s actions regarding any of its other U.S.-origin rules and regulations (e.g. The Textile Rules).


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