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Commerce says proposed "Made in CNMI" product seal is ready for publication after SAA review
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Summary
Department of Commerce officials told the House Ways and Means committee a proposed CNMI product seal program and accompanying regulations have been drafted, routed to the Standards and Accreditation Authority for review and are awaiting translation and Commonwealth Register publication.
Department of Commerce officials told the House Committee on Ways and Means that a proposed CNMI product seal — a mark to promote and distinguish locally produced goods — has completed the department's internal drafting stage and is now with oversight authorities for publication.
Commerce staff described a four-tier seal system in draft regulations: a gold-star designation for products "100% made in the CNMI (U.S.A.) excluding packaging," a silver-star mark for products with at least 51% value added locally, a transparent-packaging mark and a fresh-produce designation for agricultural goods grown in the CNMI. The department said it has also proposed modest program fees intended not to burden small producers.
"We have the sample draft of the product seal," a Commerce official said, and the regulations were routed to the Standards and Accreditation Authority (SAA) for review and translation so the department can publish notice in the Commonwealth Register. The department told lawmakers it will circulate the draft and product images to committee members on request.
Why it matters: the seal aims to promote local producers, support exports and provide a visible signal for consumers and buyers that a product meets CNMI-origin criteria. Commerce said the initiative aligns with Public Law 20-89 and includes procedures for permits and issuance of the seal.
Next steps: department staff said they are awaiting translation and publication in the Commonwealth Register and will make the draft available to lawmakers. They also said they are exploring trademark or patent protections for the seal, but that formal federal trademark registration would be a separate process.
Ending: committee members welcomed the program and asked the department to circulate the draft regulations and product images; Commerce said it will provide the materials to committee members and proceed with publication steps.
