The Made in California Label Program
Like CA Grown for agricultural products, the Made in California labeling program builds consumer awareness of California’s powerhouse status as source of manufactured products and allows suppliers to easily research Made in California products and brands. The label is available to all companies that create products in California — from electronics, chemicals and biomedical devices to furniture, software, household goods, handmade items, toys, and cosmetics. If that describes your company, leverage the label to differentiate your products and create a unique selling proposition.
What Made in California says to consumers:
QUALITY
The label evokes reliability, craftsmanship, attention to detail, and adherence to standards.
CA PROUD
Consumers feel a sense of pride in contributing to the state’s economy and job market.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
Environmentally conscious consumers prefer products made closer to home due to reduced carbon footprint associated with shorter supply chains.
TRANSPARANCY AND ETHICS
Local production often implies better visibility into working conditions, ethical practices, and sourcing.
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Eligibility
![question mark icon](https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/staging-camade-media-ca-gov/2024/04/question-mark3.png)
FAQs
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How to Apply
Am I Eligible?
Manufacturers and fabricators from all sectors are welcome to apply as long as you are legally authorized to do business in California:
- sole proprietors
- corporations
- partnerships
- 501(c)(3) non-profit and 501(c)(4) non-profits
The legislation’s only criteria is that each the final assembly, manufacturing or processing of each individual Made in California takes place in a manufacturing facility located in California.
This is defined in the regulation (Article 2, of Chapter 13, of Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations) as a calculation based on the California wholesale value and total product cost. The California Value-Added Share must match or exceed 51 percent of total wholesale value.
The application process will help you evaluate in real time if your product qualifies and you’ll be asked to sign a self-certified attestation to back up the accuracy of the information in your application.
FAQs
What kinds of information will you ask for to determine the “substantially made” criteria?
We want to verify your calculation of the “California Value-Added Share” of the given produc So we’re going to ask for your direct and indirect material and labor costs generated inside and outside of California.
You can’t include packaging, marketing or research or development costs, only what it costs you to make the product and how much of that activity takes place in California.
What about if I use parts or raw materials that come from outside California?
We calculate the “Value-Added Share” that is created in California. The finished product may include parts or raw materials from elsewhere as long the California Value-Added Share is 51 percent or more of the wholesale value.
Where can I use the Made in California label?
You can put the label on products, packaging, & point-of-sale merchandising. Information about your product and company will also be added to the Made in California Marketplace on this website.
If I’m approved for one product, can I use the label on all my products?
You can apply for several products at one time but your licensing agreement is issued on a per-product basis. If you come out with a new product after your licensing agreement is approved, you’ll need to apply again for the new product.
Are there fees to use the Made in California label?
Yes, you will be charged $TBD for each product for which you apply. These fees are non-refundable. Once executed, your licensing agreement is good for three years. You can renew your license by re-applying; the associated fees may have change in the interim.
How long will it take to know if my product is eligible?
We process each application separately to make sure that every Made in California product meets the “substantially made” requirement. So the turnaround time depends on the volume of applications. You must also pay your fees after the application is approved but before your licensing agreement is issued. We’ll walk you through this process via email. Once executed, your licensing agreement is good for three years.
Does my company have to be headquartered in California?
No, as long you are legally doing business in California, have a permanent manufacturing operation in California and your product(s) meets the “substantially made” criteria, companies headquartered in other states or even other countries are welcome to apply.
How will you verify the information in my application?
You’ll be asked to sign a self-certified attestation to back up the accuracy of the information in your application. But we also reserve the right to contact you with clarifying questions about your application or even to send a representative to your site of operations.
Are there kinds of businesses that are excluded from the program?
We exclude businesses that fit any of these descriptions:
- Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities;
- Passive businesses, investment companies, and investors who file a Schedule E on their tax returns; financial institutions or businesses primarily engaged in the business of lending, such as banks, finance companies, and factoring companies;
- Businesses engaged in any activity that is unlawful under federal, state, or local law;
- Businesses that restrict patronage for any reason other than capacity;
- Speculative businesses;
- Businesses where the owner has, within the prior three years, been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against the owner, or has had commenced any form of parole or probation, including probation before judgment, for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a federal, state, or local public transaction or contract under a public transaction, violation of federal or state antitrust or procurement statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property;
- Businesses where the owner is presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a federal, state, or local government entity, with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in clause;
- Businesses of a prurient sexual nature including businesses which derive directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross revenue through the sale of products of a prurient sexual nature;
- Other businesses determined to be ineligible by CalOSBA for reasons of incomplete, confusing or misleading information submitted through the Application Form.
How to Apply
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Apply
Hit the Apply button and fill out the application including the self-certification.
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Pay Your Fees
You’ll be sent the amount and instructions on how to pay?
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Sign Your Licensing Agreement
Congratulations! Your product is approved!
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Upload Your Product Information
We’ll add a photo, description and contact info to the Made in California Marketplace.
![icon](https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/staging-camade-media-ca-gov/2024/04/STEP-5-icon.png)
Place Your Label
You decide where you want to use the Made in California. You’re now officially California Proud.
Subscribe to the CalOSBA Newsletter for Updates on the Made in CA program
California Office of the Small Business Advocate
1325 J Street, Suite 1800
Sacramento, CA 95814
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