Clothing Accessories Companies Fined for False Made in USA Claims

Massachusetts and New Hampshire-based clothing accessories company owner Thomas Bates was penalized by the FTC for making false claims about being made domestically.

Bates owns Chaucer Accessories, Bates Accessories and Bates Retail Group, which claimed their products were "Made in USA." However, the FTC called foul on the claims and ordered Bates to to stop making the claims and pay a fine.

While Bates and co. are not banned from making legitimate, verifiable claims about their products' origin, all unqualified claims "unless they can show that the product’s final assembly or processing—and all significant processing—takes place in the U.S., and that all or virtually all ingredients or components of the product are made and sourced in the U.S." are prohibited, per the FTC.

Bates was fined a monetary judgment of $191,481.

Read the FTC's statement here.