Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliance

What is TAA Compliance?

TAA compliance refers to meeting the standards set by the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), codified under 19 U.S.C. § 2501–2581. This U.S. law governs the origin of products and services that federal agencies are permitted to procure. To be considered TAA-compliant, a product must be either:

• Manufactured in the United States, or
• Substantially transformed in the U.S. or a TAA-designated country.

"Substantial transformation" means the product has been significantly altered to result in a new product with a different name, function, or use compared to its original components.

Which Countries Are TAA-Designated?

TAA-designated countries include nations that have trade agreements with the United States or are signatories to the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (WTO GPA). These include most U.S. allies and trading partners such as:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Japan
• South Korea
• Australia
• Most European Union countries

Important: Some major manufacturing countries, including China, India, and Russia, are not TAA-compliant and products originating from these regions cannot be sold under TAA-restricted contracts.

The full list of designated countries is maintained by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and is updated periodically.

How Is TAA Enforced?

TAA compliance is enforced through the U.S. government's procurement process. Federal agencies must follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which outlines rules and procedures for purchasing goods and services. These regulations are administered by agencies such as:

• GSA (General Services Administration)
• Department of Defense (DoD)
• Other civilian and defense procurement offices

Suppliers must certify their products meet TAA requirements, and violations—whether intentional or accidental—can result in serious penalties including contract termination, fines, or suspension from federal contracting.

Zenty's Commitment to TAA Compliance

At Zenty, we are committed to delivering fully TAA-compliant products for federal, state, and local government customers. Our approach includes:

• Carefully sourcing from approved countries and ensuring all materials meet origin standards
• Maintaining transparent documentation, including country-of-origin certifications
• Supporting GSA Schedule contracts and other federal purchasing channels
• Providing advanced AV and broadcasting technology tailored to mission-critical government use
• Offering responsive support and clear procurement guidance to make the buying process seamless

We recognize the importance of compliance in government contracting and take proactive steps to support our partners in staying audit-ready and fully aligned with federal acquisition policies.

Why Was the Trade Agreements Act Created?

The TAA was introduced to advance both economic and policy goals. Its purposes include:

• Implementing trade agreements authorized under the Trade Act of 1974
• Encouraging the development of a free and open international trade system
• Enhancing U.S. access to foreign markets through reciprocal trade agreements
• Ensuring that procurement practices reflect national interests and exclude unreliable sources
• Establishing and enforcing fair trade practices in the global marketplace

The TAA ensures that public funds are spent on products from trusted sources, supporting both national security and the U.S. economy.