Do I Qualify?
All Made in USA Brand licensees meet the accreditation standards below through our verification program or through our online self-certification agreement. Made in USA Brand does not verify members’ self-certified U.S. origin claims.
OPTION A: VERIFIED The Verified Made in USA Brand Certification Mark is available to businesses based in the United States that meet the accreditation standards below and participate in our verification program. If you wish to learn more about how to verify your Made in USA claim to use the Verified Made in USA Brand Certification Mark without self-certified beneath, please contact: info@madeintheusabrand.com
OPTION B: SELF-CERTIFIED The Self-Certified Made in USA Brand Certification Mark is available to businesses based in the United States that self-certify they meet the accreditation standards below and agree to the terms of the Certification Mark Agreement with Made in the USA brand, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Licensor”) as well as compliance with all state and federal laws. Email your inquiries to: info@madeintheusabrand.com
Accreditation Standards In order to be eligible to become an accredited business entitled to use either the Verified or the Self-Certified MADE IN USA Certification Mark, Licensee represents, warrants and covenants to Licensor that its business or organization meets all the following accreditation standards (“Accreditation Standards”):
1. You have been operational (actively making or growing products or services) in the United States for at least the most recent 12 months, unless the principal(s) previously operated a similar business that was eligible to qualify for the Verified or the Self-Certified Made in USA Brand Certification Mark accreditation).
2. Your use of the Certification Mark will comply with all applicable FTC Regulations for making Unqualified or Qualified “Made In U.S.A.” Claims. For more information, see the FTC web site.
Unqualified Verified or Unqualified Self-Certified Certification Mark.
If you will be using the Unqualified Verified or Unqualified Self-Certified Certification Mark, you will do so in connection with a product that is “all or virtually all” made in the United States as defined by applicable and controlling FTC Regulations. In addition to your compliance with all FTC Regulations, these Accreditation Standards require that (i) all significant parts and processing that go into the product are of U.S. Origin. That is, the product contains no — or negligible — foreign content; (ii) the last substantial transformation of the product must have taken place in the U.S; and (iii) the final assembly or processing, except for de minimis finishing, must have taken place in the U.S.
Verified, without content qualifier
Self-Certified, without content qualifier
Qualified Verified or Qualified Self-Certified Certification Mark.
If you will be using the Qualified Verified or Qualified Self-Certified Certification Mark, you will do so in connection with a product that meets the applicable and controlling FTC Regulations. In addition to your compliance with all FTC Regulations, these Accreditation Standards require that (i) Greater than 50% of the product’s total manufacturing costs can be assigned to U.S. parts and processing; (ii) the last substantial transformation of the product must have taken place in the U.S.; and (iii) the final assembly or processing, except for de minimis finishing, must have taken place in the U.S.
For example: “Made in USA of U.S. and imported parts”
Verified, with content qualifier
Self-Certified, with content qualifier
3. If you will be operating in California, you will additionally comply with California Business and Professions Code 17533.7, which states: “It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association to sell or offer for sale in this State any merchandise on which merchandise or on its container there appears the words “Made in U.S.A.” “Made in America,” “U.S.A.,” or similar words when the merchandise or any article, unit, or part thereof, has been entirely or substantially made, manufactured, or produced outside of the United States.” There is an exemption to this California requirement if either the merchandise has one or more articles, units, or parts from outside the United States and they do not constitute more than 5% of the final wholesale value of the product or the manufacturer makes a specified showing regarding the articles, units, or parts from outside the United States and they do not constitute more than 10% of the final wholesale value of the product.
4. You will retain competent and reliable evidence to substantiate the claim or claims described above that your product or service is made in the U.S. in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. You agree to supply such evidence when and how requested by Licensor and permit Licensor, upon reasonable notice, to perform random spot checks of any Licensee’s products, facilities, and/or records to confirm compliance with these Accreditation Standards.
5. The product’s final assembly or processing will take place in the United States, which includes any of its fifty states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories and possessions.
6. You will fulfill any and all licensing and bonding requirements applicable in the jurisdictions in which you operate.
7. You are not and will not be the subject of legal action or government enforcement action that demonstrates a significant failure to support the claim or claims described above or failure to adhere to ethical principles in marketplace transactions.
8. You are not and will not be the subject of an unsatisfactory product rating from any applicable product or service rating company.
9. You will remain in compliance with all other laws and regulations governing your activities.
10. You will pay the required annual license fee in consideration of the license granted herein, based upon the rate schedule below, Licensee agrees to pay an annual license fee based upon Licensee’s gross annual revenue (“Revenue”) of all products or services on or in connection with the Certification Mark is used:
- $250/year licensing fee if Revenue <= $500,000
- $500/year licensing fee if Revenue > $500,000 and <= $50 million
- $1,000/year licensing fee if Revenue > $50 million and <= $500 million
- $2,000/year licensing fee if Revenue > $500 million.
Ready to self-certify to use the Self-Certified Made in USA Brand Certification Mark?
Click here to learn more.
How do I verify my Made in USA claim?
Contact info@madeintheusabrand.com to learn more about the verification program.
Made in the USA brand, LLC