FTC: Made In The USA Comments Concerning Marilyn H Altschul--P894219 August 4, 1997 Office of the Secretary “Made in USA Policy Comment” FTC File No. P894219 To Whom It May Concern: Two days ago I purchased a new ProScan (RCA) 27 inch TV set and under the current "Made in USA" standards, I was able to make an informed purchasing decision. The set was labeled "Assembled in USA using components from USA, Mexico and Italy". Other literature available to me indicated that 80% of the components were from the USA. This was satisfactory to me and I purchased the set. Had the label read "Assembled in USA using components from USA, China and Viet Nam", I would not have purchased the set. Even if other literature available to me had also stated that 80% of the components were from USA, I still would not have purchased the set because as a consumer, I do not want to purchase anything from certain countries such as China and Viet Nam, not even if they represent only 20%. Under the new guidelines proposed by the Federal Trade Commission on May 5, 1997, the labeling on this particular TV set would have qualified for a simple "Made in USA" label which would have denied me the opportunity of making an informed decision. Under the proposed new guidelines I would have been deceived, misled and misinformed. The new proposed guidelines allow a "safe harbor" of 25% of non-USA components as long as the TV set is "assembled in USA". The set I purchased would have met this criteria. Please do not establish these new proposed guidelines. Please maintain the current criteria for "Made in USA". Under the current guidelines, any deviation from "all or virtually all" has to be explained .... and that makes for informed decisions. Thank you. Sincerely, Marilyn H AltschulMarilyn H. Altschul Tel: 732-747-5942 |