PRIA Logo™
Take the PRIA Score
Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73

§45a Labels on products

Title 15 › Chapter CHAPTER 2— - FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION; PROMOTION OF EXPORT TRADE AND PREVENTION OF UNFAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION › § 45a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

If a product is sold, offered, or advertised as "Made in the U.S.A." or "Made in America" to show it was wholly or mostly made here, that claim must follow Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rules under section 45. The FTC may set what share of parts can be imported and still allow the label, and the label may be used when the product clearly states it has imported components. The FTC enforces these rules, can make formal rules under section 553 of title 5, and treats violations as unfair or deceptive under section 57a. The rules take effect when the FTC publishes a notice in the Federal Register, and that notice had to be published within six months after September 13, 1994.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §45a

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

To the extent any person introduces, delivers for introduction, sells, advertises, or offers for sale in commerce a product with a “Made in the U.S.A.” or “Made in America” label, or the equivalent thereof, in order to represent that such product was in whole or substantial part of domestic origin, such label shall be consistent with decisions and orders of the Federal Trade Commission issued pursuant to section 45 of this title. This section only applies to such labels. Nothing in this section shall preclude the application of other provisions of law relating to labeling. The Commission may periodically consider an appropriate percentage of imported components which may be included in the product and still be reasonably consistent with such decisions and orders. Nothing in this section shall preclude use of such labels for products that contain imported components under the label when the label also discloses such information in a clear and conspicuous manner. The Commission shall administer this section pursuant to section 45 of this title and may from time to time issue rules pursuant to section 553 of title 5 for such purpose. If a rule is issued, such violation shall be treated by the Commission as a violation of a rule under section 57a of this title regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices. This section shall be effective upon publication in the Federal Register of a Notice of the provisions of this section. The Commission shall publish such notice within six months after September 13, 1994.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Violent Crime Control and Law

Enforcement

Act of 1994, and not as part of the Federal Trade Commission Act which comprises this subchapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 45a

Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73