If you are in the process of bidding on a contract with the department of defense or are researching bidding with the DoD chances are that you are seeing the phrase berry compliant a lot. What is it? Why does the government require it, and can I get an exemption for my product. These are all questions that you need to answer at some point before you place a bid on that big fat contract your eyeing.

Since the 1980s, Fieldtex has been contract manufacturing of military bags for prime contractors that need to adhere to the Berry Amendment for all components of their contracts with the government. We have built out a supply chain of american fabric and tactical hardware manufacturers to support these requirements. If we can’t source the exact component you are looking for we can find a nearly identical alternative through this network.

Click here to read more about our Domestic Custom Military Sewing.

What is Berry Amendment Compliance

The Berry Amendment was passed in 1941, and was made a permanent fixture to the Department of Defense in 1994. This Amendment requires the Department of Defense to use only products produced domestically in the production of goods. The amendment includes food, tents, and all fabrics or fibers involved in the production of clothing and goods; tarp, cotton, silk, synthetic fibers, canvas, wool, and anything made using any of those products.

Exclusions

There are times when you can request an exclusion from berry compliance, these are primarily due to the cost, unavailability, and manufacturing inefficiency of domestic production. Some textile exclusions include leather, sheepskin, metallic thread, 50-denier rayon yarn, and more. At one point, the Amendment mandated specialty metals be domestically produced, such as fasteners. This has since been waived, as finding berry compliant tactical hardware is challenging as no one makes these items in the US any more. The same thing goes for Berry compliant plastic buckles another thing that you just don’t find in America.

Berry Compliant Challenges

At times this amendment can, make it difficult to supply all pieces of the products. We have experienced first hand the difficulty of sourcing materials that are not only Berry Amendment, but Military grade and compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). RoHS restricts the toxic use and byproduct in the making of a garment. The Berry Amendment promotes the economy of American production, as well as upholding the American standard for the US military.

For more about our production standards and the Berry Amendment, click here.