BABA-Compliant Solutions
With more than a thousand U.S.-made products, CertainTeed makes it easier to meet the complex requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act. From insulation and gypsum to architectural solutions, our breadth of offerings—combined with deep building science knowledge—can help ensure your federally funded infrastructure projects meet compliance while achieving superior performance and sustainability.
Our team is here to provide project-specific guidance and documentation, so you can build with confidence.
About the BABA Act
The Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, enacted as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, strengthens domestic sourcing requirements for federally funded infrastructure projects. It mandates that iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in these projects be produced in the United States, with specific compliance criteria that vary by product type.
BABA applies to the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of public infrastructure undertaken by non-federal entities using federal financial assistance. It does not apply to direct federal procurement.
Defining “Produced in the United States"
BABA covers all iron and steel, construction materials, and manufactured products that are used in, built into, or permanently attached to an infrastructure project. Each category has its own definition and criteria for what qualifies as “produced in the United States.”
Summary
Category | What "Produced in the U.S." Means | Eligible CertainTeed Products |
| Construction Materials | All manufacturing steps—from raw material processing to the finished product—must be done in the U.S. |
|
| Manufactured Products | The product must be made in the U.S., and at least 55% of the cost of its components must also come from U.S.-made materials |
|
| Iron & Steel | Every manufacturing step, from melting the metal to shaping and coating it, must happen in the U.S. |
All manufacturing processes must take place in the U.S.—from initial production to final form. This applies to non-ferrous metals, plastic and polymer-based products, glass, fiber optic cable, optical fiber, lumber, engineered wood, and drywall.
CertainTeed products that meet these criteria include:
- Select Drywall Products
- Select Low-Slope Roofing Products
The product itself must be manufactured in the U.S., including final assembly, integration of components, and finishing.
The cost of U.S.-made components must account for at least 55% of the total cost of all components. Components are considered U.S.-made if they were mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States.
CertainTeed products that meet these criteria include:
- Insulation
- Corners and Joint Compounds
- Select Ceiling and Wall Products
All manufacturing processes—from initial melting to final coating—must take place in the United States. This also includes smelting, rolling, forming, and bending. Qualifying products must be made in the U.S. with steel that was also made in the U.S.
CertainTeed products that meet these criteria include:
- Ceiling Grid Systems (Acoustic and Drywall Grid)
BABA vs. Other U.S. Manufacturing Standards
Standard | Applies To | Requirements | Threshold |
| Made in the USA | General consumer products | “All or virtually all” U.S. origin (FTC standard) | Highly subjective, FTC-regulated |
| Buy American Act | Federal procurement contracts | Manufactured in the USA, ≥65% domestic components | 65% domestic content, increasing to 75% in 2029 |
| BABA | Federally assisted infrastructure | Up to 100% of iron/steel, manufactured goods, and construction materials produced in the U.S. | ≥55% domestic cost for products |
Made in the USA is a broad consumer-level marketing claim regulated by the FTC. This label indicates that "all or virtually all" of a product’s components and processing occur in the U.S. It’s a marketing assertion and not tied to any specific government funding program.
Enacted in 1933, the Buy American Act (BAA) applies to direct U.S. federal procurement contracts. As of 2025, it requires at least 65% domestic component cost and domestic manufacturing, and this threshold will increase to 75% in 2029.
We're Here to Help
Let us help you find the right BABA-compliant products for your project. We can provide a self-certification letter for your federal financial assistance application.
CertainTeed has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information on this webpage. However, the information is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind including without limitation the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. CertainTeed does not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. CertainTeed reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of this guide at any time without prior notice. CertainTeed is not giving legal or funding advice of any kind; you should seek legal counsel and a government representation for all legal and act interpretations issues. The information provided on this webpage is general in nature and cannot substitute for the advice of a licensed professional.