Federal Trade Commission
Received Documents
June 21, 1996
P894219
B18354900163

                  CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
                     HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                    Washington, DC 20515-1319

                          June 14, 1996

The Honorable Robert Pitofsky
Chairman
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C. 20580

Dear Chairman Pitofsky:

     I understand that the Federal Trade Commission is considering revising the standards for making
Made in  USA claims.  I hope the Commission will not take steps to weaken the current standard, which
requires products labeled "Made in  USA" to be all or virtually all U.S. origin.

     The Federal Trade Commission has effectively prohibited unfair and deceptive use of advertising and
labeling claims.  As part of that mandate, the Commission has ensured that consumers receive accurate
information about the origin of products and that products labeled "Made in  USA" are truly American-made.

     I have heard it argued that the current standard is out of date and that in a global economy we cannot 
expect products to be wholly of U.S. origin.  I believe the premise of these arguments is questionable and that
the arguments themselves are irrelevant.  It is in part because fewer products are American-made that the
"Made in  USA" label continues to have such great importance to American consumers.  This label should
continue to be applied to products which are all or virtually all U.S. origin, and not those with significant
foreign content.  A global economy is no justification for weakening a longstanding consumer protection
standard that Americans rely on trust.

     I also strongly believe that any weakening of the current standard would do a tremendous disservice
to the many American companies that are currently labeling or advertising their products as "Made in U.S.A"
companies which use higher-cost U.S. labor and manufacturing operations should be commended and their
investments in American jobs should be encouraged through continued application of the current Made in 
USA standard.

     I urge the Commission to retain the existing Made in  USA standard and to protect consumer
confidence that products labeled "Made in  USA" are made in the United States with U.S. materials and
labor.   Thank you for your attention to these views, if I can be of future service, please do not hesitate to
contact me.

                            Sincerely,



                          Glenn Poshard
                              Member of Congress