The 'Made in USA' Label in 2025

In today’s global economy, the "Made in USA" label represents more than a statement of origin. It symbolizes quality, pride, and trust for many consumers. However, it’s important to understand the full meaning behind this claim. While many products display this label, not all meet the same qualifications and standards.

Here’s what you need to know about "Made in USA" product claims and how to navigate them.

What 'Made in USA' Means According to the FTC

The FTC states that for a product to be labeled "Made in USA," it must be "all or virtually all" made in the United States. This means all significant components, processing, and labor must come from within the U.S.

However, the term is often used loosely. In reality, many products with the "Made in USA" label may include imported materials. Also, the manufacturing process may not be entirely domestic.

These details can mislead the average consumer. Most people may assume that the entire production process happens within U.S. borders.

The Challenges of Sourcing Materials in America

Sourcing raw materials and components made in the U.S. is a challenge. For decades, industries have shipped production overseas due to lower costs. As a result, many domestic materials don’t exist anymore.

Most product manufacturing continues in unregulated and unethical environments. Overseas factories operate with poor working conditions. These poor conditions include low wages and environmental practices that fail to meet U.S. standards.

At Proven Hands™, we value quality, fair labor practices, and environmental responsibility. While sourcing materials overseas may be easier, it often harms people and the planet.

We remain committed to sourcing from the U.S. whenever possible. Although it involves added challenges, the effort is worth it to uphold our values.

What to Look for When You See "Made in USA"

Here are a few tips for finding true "Made in USA" products:

Check the label for details.

A true "Made in USA" label will lay out the specific components that are sourced domestically.

Look for transparency.

Companies who support American manufacturing will be open about their supply chain materials.

Research the company.

Does the company support American workers? Do they disclose where their materials come from?

Ask questions.

Reach out to manufacturers directly to inquire about the origins of their components. Don't be afraid to ask questions. A brand that values transparency will share this information.

The Bigger Picture: Supporting Domestic Manufacturing

When it comes to "Made in USA", the bigger picture is more than just domestic sourcing. The main focus is on being transparent and celebrating progress.

Complete domestic sourcing is an admirable goal. But, the reality is that achieving 100% U.S. production takes time, effort, and resources. That is why it is especially hard to achieve as a small business.

Supporting businesses making efforts to shift their production to the U.S. is crucial. Even if they aren't fully there yet, these incremental steps matter.

Transparency is Essential

At Proven Hands™, we believe that transparency is essential. If every piece of a product isn’t sourced domestically, we’re committed to being upfront about it.

We want to show our efforts in supporting American Manufacturing. Our commitment is to the long-term goal of complete domestic production.

Let’s not get lost in scrutinizing the smallest details. And we don't want to criticize companies for not being perfect. Instead, we should acknowledge and value the strides they’re making.

When a business chooses to bring its production back to the U.S., even partially, it’s a step in the right direction. The goal is to strengthen the American supply chain. 

As a consumer, it’s important to seek out companies that lack transparency. These businesses typically exploit the "Made in USA" label for profit.

Proven Hands™ Policy on "Made in USA"

It seems every brand has a different approach to what "Made in USA" means. I think it's important we make our stance clear to our customers.

There is nothing worse than a vague claim with smoke and mirrors.

"Made in USA" means all assembly processes take place in the USA and all available materials are made in the USA. For an exemption under the "available" section, the material must fall under these standards:

Not available at scale or reliably for manufacturing needs. Hopefully one day with your support we can bring some of these items back to U.S.A.

Not financially practical to the customer. (e.g., making a product 100x the cost; our cutoff is loosely around 5x the cost).

Not a substantial part of the product (like the polyester in the thread in a shirt).

A good-faith effort was made to obtain the material in the USA but failed.

Proven Hands™ on Navigating the Challenges of Sourcing and Manufacturing

We work closely with suppliers and manufacturers so that we meet these standards. However, we also face the reality that we don’t always have the resources to conduct every step of the process. This is often the struggle of a small business.

We rely on good faith from our suppliers, and we ask tough questions. If we find ourselves misled by a vendor, we adjust accordingly to stay true to our values.

If a product doesn’t meet our "Made in USA" standards, we simply don’t make it. Our commitment to transparency means that we won’t mislead our customers about where our products come from.

Support American-Made Products

Proven Hands™ invites you to join us in celebrating and supporting American craftsmanship. Explore our collection of premium 100% cotton workwear shirts crafted with care and a commitment to transparency.

Learn more about our values here.