Understanding the Difference: Berry Compliant vs. USMCA Compliant Materials in ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 Plate Carriers

As Qore Performance continues to innovate and expand its product offerings, we're excited to announce the introduction of the ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 ultralight minimalist plate carrier in USMCA compliant materials. This strategic shift aims to make our advanced equipment more accessible to a broader audience, particularly those who do not require Berry Compliant gear.

Berry Compliant Materials

Berry Compliant materials are sourced and manufactured entirely in the United States. This compliance is crucial for military and other government contracts, ensuring that all products meet stringent standards for quality and origin. The ICEPLATE EXO® laminate used in our Berry Compliant plate carriers is produced in the U.S., providing a high level of assurance in terms of quality, durability, and traceability. Our proprietary ICEPLATE EXO® laminate has a special ingredient called Spectra Fibre embeded into it which gives it practically unrivaled strength properties.

USMCA Compliant Materials

In contrast, USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) compliant material, allows for broader sourcing options within these three countries. For our ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3, this means utilizing a high-quality laminate made in Mexico called Endurance. This summer, we introduced our first products made from Endurance in our Safety collection, colored in Safety Yellow, exclusively for us. The addition of USMCA compliant materials is part of our initiative to increase capability and accessibility for users who do not require Berry Compliant gear, such as private citizens, recreational enthusiasts, agencies, non-profits, and small businesses. Endurance does not have embeded Spectra fibre like our ICEPLATE EXO® laminate.

Why Choose USMCA Materials?

• Value Optimization: Sourcing materials from Mexico allows us to offer the same high-quality plate carriers at a more accessible price point. This approach makes our products available to private citizens, professionals, and organizations who do not require Berry Compliant products, without compromising on quality.
  
  
• Same High Standards: All ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 carriers, regardless of material origin, are manufactured at our Knoxville, Tennessee headquarters. This ensures consistent quality control and craftsmanship using the same skilled workforce and advanced machinery.
  
  
• Design Consistency: The USMCA and Berry Compliant versions of the ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 are identical in design and performance. The difference lies only in the material sourcing, relevant primarily for those needing U.S.-sourced materials for specific requirements like military procurement.
  
  
• Support for North American Trade: Utilizing USMCA materials promotes economic partnerships within North America, supporting fair trade practices and maintaining high-quality standards across the region.

Maintaining Quality Across All Products

Regardless of the material origin, all ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 plate carriers are manufactured at our headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. The same skilled team and advanced machinery ensure consistent quality and performance across all our products. The plate carriers are identical in design, differing only in the materials used. This difference is relevant primarily for those who specifically need 100% U.S.-sourced materials, such as for military procurement, or those who would prefer American manufactured laminate.

Proliferating Innovation

Our decision to offer USMCA compliant ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3 plate carriers reflects our mission to proliferate our innovative thermoregulation and hydration solutions. By lowering costs, we make it easier for more people to benefit from our cutting-edge gear, expanding the reach of our products beyond military and government users to empower individuals.

In conclusion, whether you're choosing a Berry Compliant or USMCA compliant ICEPLATE EXO® Gen 3, you can trust that you're getting a product designed and built with the utmost attention to quality, durability and performance. At Qore Performance, we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, ensuring more people than ever before have access to the best in plate carrier technology.