ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 163

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 22, 1997

By Assemblymen TALARICO, CHATZIDAKIS, Bodine, Asselta, Gibson, Assemblywoman Heck, Assemblymen Wolfe, Arnone, Augustine, DiGaetano, Assemblywoman Wright, Assemblymen Bateman, DeSopo, Kelly, Moran, Cottrell, Bucco, Bagger, LeFevre, Assemblywoman Crecco, Assemblymen Malone, Blee, Assemblywomen Vandervalk, Myers, Farragher, Allen, Assemblyman Azzolina and Assemblywoman J. Smith

An Assembly Resolution urging the Federal Trade Commission to maintain the current standard behind the "Made in USA" label in order to protect consumers and jobs in the United States.

Whereas, For the past several decades, the "Made in USA" label has defined a product as having all or virtually all of its parts and labor originating in the United States; and

Whereas, The people of the United States depend upon the integrity of this label when purchasing products; and

Whereas, The label projects a sense of pride for American workmanship and value; and

Whereas, The Federal Trade Commission has promulgated regulations to lower this standard to allow substantial amounts of a product to be of foreign origin; and

Whereas, Lowering this standard will be a misrepresentation to consumers in the United States who presently believe products bearing the "Made in USA" label were all or virtually all made in the United States; and

Whereas, Consumers in the United States are entitled to purchase products with the understanding that the labels on these products reflect consistent definitions; and

Whereas, The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for safeguarding the consumer from unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent practices; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey respectfully urges the Federal Trade Commission to uphold the current content standards for the "Made in USA" label, to ensure that the label continues to signify that a product was all or virtually all made in the United States, and to protect consumers and jobs in this State.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Presiding Officers of both Houses of the United States Congress, the Members thereof from the State of New Jersey, and to Robert Pitofsky, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.

STATEMENT

    This resolution urges the Federal Trade Commission to refrain from lowering the current content standards for the "Made in the USA" label. Recently, the commission promulgated regulations to lower this standard to allow substantial amounts of a product that bears the "Made in USA" label to be of foreign origin. Lowering this standard will amount to a misrepresentation to consumers who presently believe that products bearing the "Made in the USA" label were entirely or largely made in this country, and could also lead to the loss of jobs in the United States.

Urges the Federal Trade Commission to maintain current standard behind the "Made in USA" label.