California’s new Made in California program gives workforce boards a simple employer-services conversation starter: qualifying manufacturers can use a state label, appear in a statewide product directory, and connect their brand to California manufacturing.
Source checked September 18, 2026 · ACTIVE INFORMATION NOTICE · Official source ↗ · AI-assisted
WDB decision strip
| Status | Action | Primary owner | Current timing | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIVE INFORMATION NOTICE | SHARE + CONNECT | Business Services + Economic Development | Fees waived through Dec. 31, 2026 | Manufacturing · Employer engagement · Procurement connections |
The bottom line
This is an employer-service opportunity, not a new compliance program.
EDD is asking the workforce community to tell California manufacturers about the Made in California label. Manufacturers of any size may apply. A qualifying product must have at least 51 percent of its wholesale value added in California through manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, or production. Approved businesses can use the label and appear in the program’s online Product Directory.
What a manufacturer gets
| Program feature | Why an employer may care | WDB role |
|---|---|---|
| Official label | Approved businesses can use the Made in California label on qualifying products, packaging, websites, and marketing. | Make manufacturers aware of the opportunity. |
| Product Directory | Approved businesses are listed in the statewide directory. | Use the directory to understand and connect with local manufacturers. |
| Buyer and procurement visibility | The program is designed to connect manufacturers with buyers, procurement networks, economic-development partners, and contractors. | Connect the program to existing employer and economic-development relationships. |
| Temporary fee waiver | Program fees are waived through Dec. 31, 2026. | Flag the time-sensitive waiver without implying a guaranteed approval. |
Operational considerations for WDBs
- Add the program to business-services outreach. Include it in conversations with manufacturers, especially firms already using AJCC hiring, training, incumbent-worker, or layoff-aversion services.
- Share it through manufacturing partners. Economic-development organizations, chambers, sector partnerships, SBDCs, procurement networks, and industry associations can extend the reach.
- Use it as a relationship opener. The value for a WDB is not the label itself. It is another reason to ask manufacturers about hiring, skill needs, automation, expansion, supply-chain constraints, and training.
- Do not certify eligibility locally. The state program decides whether a product meets the Made in California criteria.
- Revisit after the fee waiver. Update local outreach materials after Dec. 31, 2026 so the temporary fee language does not become stale.
Required / local choice / good practice / watch out
| Label | How to apply it |
|---|---|
| Required | WSIN26-15 does not create a new WDB compliance requirement. |
| Local choice | Boards decide how prominently to include the program in employer outreach and sector work. |
| Good practice | Use the referral as part of a broader business-services conversation rather than a one-off email blast. |
| Watch out | Do not describe the label as a workforce grant, procurement preference, or WDB certification. |
By role
Business services
Share the program and use it to uncover workforce needs.
Sector partnership lead
Connect participating manufacturers to regional industry networks and training partners.
WDB leadership
Fold the program into employer-engagement strategy without creating a separate initiative.
Source + Trust Record
| Primary authority | EDD WSIN26-15 — “Made in California” Label Empowers Manufacturers in the Golden State |
|---|---|
| Current status | ACTIVE INFORMATION NOTICE |
| Source checked | September 18, 2026 |
| What we verified | The Made in California program, 51% wholesale-value standard, Product Directory, manufacturer eligibility, and fee waiver through December 31, 2026 are supported by EDD. Employer-engagement uses suggested here are local practice, not EDD requirements. |
| Important limitation | Program eligibility, labeling, directory participation, and fee rules are controlled by the Made in California program. Employer-engagement recommendations above are Workforce Wonkery implementation guidance. |
Additional authority: Made in California program
Official sources control. Workforce Wonkery is AI-assisted and does not receive human legal or compliance review.