[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5491-5497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01629]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Parts 500 and 502

RIN 3084-AB33


Rules, Regulations, Statements of General Policy or 
Interpretation and Exemptions Under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'').

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: Based on comments received in response to its Advance Notice 
of Proposed Rulemaking (``ANPR''), the Commission proposes amending the 
rules and regulations promulgated under the Fair Packaging and Labeling 
Act (``Rules'') to modernize the place-of-business listing requirement;

[[Page 5492]]

incorporate a more comprehensive metric chart; address the use of 
exponents with customary inch/pound measurements; delete outdated 
prohibitions on retail price sales representations; and acknowledge the 
role of the weights-and-measures laws of individual states. The 
Commission seeks comment on these proposals.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file a comment online or on paper by 
following the instructions in the Request for Comment part of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below. Write ``FPLA Rules, 16 CFR 
parts 500-503, Project No. R411015'' on your comment, and file your 
comment online at https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/fplanprm by 
following the instructions on the web-based form. If you prefer to file 
your comment on paper, write ``FPLA Rules, 16 CFR parts 500-503, 
Project No. R411015'' on your comment and on the envelope and mail your 
comment to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of 
the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite CC-5610 (Annex G), 
Washington, DC 20580, or deliver your comment to the following address: 
Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Constitution Center, 
400 7th Street SW., 5th Floor, Suite 5610 (Annex G), Washington, DC 
20024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Megan E. Gray, Attorney, (202) 326-
3408, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal 
Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 1451 et seq., was 
enacted in 1966 to enable consumers to obtain accurate package quantity 
information to facilitate value comparisons and prevent unfair or 
deceptive packaging and labeling of ``consumer commodities.'' \1\ The 
Rules generally concern products consumed during household use. 
However, several categories of these products are exempt from FTC 
regulations under the FPLA.\2\ Moreover, the FTC has excluded certain 
other items from the Rules.\3\
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    \1\ Consumer commodities are any food, device, or cosmetic, and 
any other article, product, or commodity that is customarily 
produced or distributed for sale through retail sales agencies or 
instrumentalities for consumption or use by individuals for purposes 
of personal care or in the performance of services ordinarily 
rendered within the household, and which usually is consumed or 
expended in the course of such consumption or use. 15 U.S.C. 
1459(a). The Food and Drug Administration administers the FPLA with 
respect to food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. 15 U.S.C. 
1454(a); 15 U.S.C. 1456(a).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 1459(a)(1) through (5) (excluding, among other 
products, specified categories of meat, poultry, tobacco, 
insecticide, fungicide, drug, alcohol, and seed products).
    \3\ 16 CFR 503.2, 503.5. Many products outside the scope of the 
FPLA and the Rules nevertheless fall within the purview of 
individual state laws. 15 U.S.C. 1461. See also National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Handbook 130, Uniform Laws and 
Regulations in the areas of legal metrology and engine fuel quality 
(2015 ed.) (compilation of state and federal laws and regulations 
pertaining to product labeling and packaging).
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    Section 1453 of the Act directs the Commission to issue regulations 
requiring that all ``consumer commodities'' be labeled to disclose: (a) 
The identity of the commodity (e.g., detergent, sponges), which must 
appear on the principal display panel of the commodity in conspicuous 
type and position so that identity is easy to read and understand; \4\ 
(b) the name and place of business of the product's manufacturer, 
packer, or distributor; \5\ and (c) the net quantity of contents in 
terms of weight, measure, or numerical count, with such disclosure's 
placement and content in accordance with the Rules.\6\ The Rules detail 
how units of weight or mass and measure must be stated, and require use 
of both U.S. (e.g., pounds, feet, and gallons) and metric measures.\7\ 
The Rules also require net quantity disclosures for packages containing 
more than one product or unit, including: (a) ``multi-unit packages''; 
\8\ (b) ``variety packages''; \9\ and (c) ``combination packages.'' 
\10\
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    \4\ 16 CFR 500.4.
    \5\ 16 CFR 500.5.
    \6\ 16 CFR 500.6(b). The Office of Weights and Measures of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, is authorized to promote, to the greatest practical 
extent, uniformity in state and federal regulation of the labeling 
of consumer commodities. 15 U.S.C. 1458(a)(2).
    \7\ The FPLA was amended in 1992 to require use of metric 
measurements, in addition to customary inch/pound measures. Public 
Law 102-245 (February 14, 1992); Public Law 102-329 (August 3, 
1992). In 1994, the FTC modified its regulations accordingly. 59 FR 
1862 at 1872 (Jan. 12, 1994).
    \8\ 16 CFR 500.27.
    \9\ 16 CFR 500.28.
    \10\ 16 CFR 500.29.
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    In addition, the Act grants the FTC authority to issue rules to 
prevent consumer deception and facilitate value comparisons.\11\ The 
FTC has used this authority to address three types of representations: 
``cents-off,'' \12\ ``introductory offer,'' \13\ and ``economy size.'' 
\14\
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    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 1454(c). This discretionary authority enables the 
FTC to address four situations: (1) Setting size standards that 
supplement label statements of net quantity; (2) regulating 
packaging that claims a product price is lower than its customary 
retail price; (3) requiring labels to use common names or listing 
ingredients in order of decreasing prominence; and (4) preventing 
nonfunctional slack-fill. 15 U.S.C. 1454(c).
    \12\ A cents-off representation is one in which ``cents-off'' or 
a similar term is used to indicate that the consumer commodity is 
being offered for sale at a price lower than the ordinary and 
customary retail price. 16 CFR 502.100.
    \13\ An introductory offer is one in which ``introductory 
offer'' or a similar phrase is used to indicate that the consumer 
commodity is being offered for sale at a price lower than the 
ordinary and customary retail price. 16 CFR 502.101(b)(1). The Rules 
prohibit introductory offers in a trade area for a duration in 
excess of six months. 16 CFR 502.101(b)(3).
    \14\ An economy size representation is one in which ``economy 
size'' or similar phrase is used to indicate that the consumer 
commodity has a retail sale price advantage due to the size of that 
package or the quantity of its contents. 16 CFR 502.102.
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    To address these provisions as well as the rest of the Rules, the 
Commission, as part of its ongoing regulatory review program, published 
an ANPR in March 2014 seeking comment on the economic impact of, and 
the continuing need for, the Rules; the benefits of the Rules to 
consumers; and any burdens the Rules place on businesses.\15\
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    \15\ 79 FR 15272 (March 19, 2014).
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    In response, the Commission received a number of comments. This 
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (``NPRM'') summarizes those comments, 
explains the Commission's decision to retain the Rules, proposes 
several amendments, and explains why the Commission has declined to 
propose certain amendments advocated by some commenters. This NPRM also 
sets forth the Commission's proposed amendments to the Rules.

II. Summary of Comments

    The Commission received 15 comments \16\ in response to the ANPR 
from a diverse set of commenters: Individuals; \17\ a consumer products 
manufacturer; \18\ an association promoting use of the metric system; 
\19\ professional associations representing officials, engineers, and 
industries affected by the Rules; \20\ and a Nigerian police assistance 
organization.\21\ The

[[Page 5493]]

comments expressed general support for the Rules but recommended that 
the Commission modify or clarify certain aspects of them. A number of 
comments raised issues associated with metric measurements and voiced 
support for a metric-only system.\22\ One comment made semantic and 
punctuation points, and addressed numeric nomenclature.\23\ That 
commenter also considered the continued utility of requiring labels to 
list street addresses since the advent of Internet directories.\24\ 
Three comments addressed aspects of net quantity statements.\25\ The 
NCWM comment suggested deletion of regulations governing quantity or 
value claims in certain circumstances because they are no longer used 
in the marketplace. That comment also recommended an expanded 
definition of ``consumer commodity,'' as well as expanded regulations 
for slack-fill. This comment additionally requested more explicit 
recognition of state labeling laws. Finally, two comments addressed the 
lack of uniformity in labeling laws, domestically and internationally 
(e.g., language differences and different products falling under 
Department of Agriculture labeling requirements).\26\
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    \16\ The comments are posted at http://www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments/initiative-554. The Commission has assigned each 
comment a number appearing after the name of the commenter and the 
date of submission. This notice cites comments using the last name 
of the individual submitter or the name of the organization, 
followed by the number assigned by the Commission.
    \17\ Schlesinger (12), Steele (11), Mechtly (9), Mechtly (10), 
Dunn (14), Lewis (15), Vlietstra (13), Nichols (2), Bushnell (7), 
Sarich (8). The two Mechtly comments are identical.
    \18\ Beaumont Products, Inc. (``Beaumont'') (6).
    \19\ U.S. Metric Association (``US Metric'') (3).
    \20\ Packaging and Labeling Subcommittee of the National 
Conference on Weights and Measures (``NCWM'') (1), Standards 
Coordinating Committee of the Institute of Electrical and 
Electronics Engineers (``IEEE'') (4).
    \21\ Police Assistance Committee of Nigeria (5).
    \22\ NCWM (1), IEEE (4), Nichols (2), US Metric (3), Schlesinger 
(12), Vlietstra (13), Mechtly (9), Steele (11).
    \23\ NCWM (1).
    \24\ NCWM (1).
    \25\ NCWM (1), Steele (11), Beaumont (6).
    \26\ NCWM (1), Steele (11).
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III. Retention of the Rules

    As part of the Commission's systematic regulatory review, the ANPR 
asked whether there is a continuing need for the Rules and requested 
comment about the Rules' benefits and costs. In response, commenters 
expressed wide support for the Rules; no commenter suggested they be 
repealed.\27\ The record provides no evidence that the Rules impose 
excessive costs on industry, including small businesses, or that the 
disclosures required by the Rules are immaterial to consumers. 
Therefore, the Commission proposes retaining the Rules, but with 
certain amendments suggested by various comments.
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    \27\ See, e.g., NCWM (1), Steele (11).
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IV. Proposed Amendments

    Based on the record and the Commission's experience, the Commission 
proposes several amendments as explained below. The Commission also 
explains why it declines to propose several other amendments.

A. Modernize the Place-of-Business Listing Requirement

    The Commission proposes to amend the Rules' place-of-business 
listing requirement. Currently, the Rules require a label to 
conspicuously state the name and place of business of the manufacturer, 
packer, or distributor and further specify that the place of business 
statement contain the street address, city, state, and ZIP code. The 
street address, however, may be omitted if it is listed in a current 
city or telephone directory.\28\ The NCWM comment suggested that this 
exception be extended to Internet directories, explaining that they 
serve the same purpose as printed telephone directories. The Commission 
agrees. It, therefore, proposes to revise this exception to permit a 
business to omit the street address if it is listed in any readily 
accessible, well-known, widely published, and publicly available 
resource, including but not limited to a printed directory, electronic 
database, or Web site. The inclusion of ``any readily accessible, 
widely published, and publicly available resource'' in the exception is 
flexible and intended to encompass new technologies that meet these 
requirements.
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    \28\ 16 CFR 500.5(a) through (e). The Act itself requires the 
label to include the place of business, but does not specify to what 
level of detail. 15 U.S.C. 1453(a)(1).
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B. Incorporate a More Comprehensive Metric Chart

    The NCWM comment noted that Section 500.19(a) currently contains an 
incomplete metric conversion chart that fails to list other possible, 
albeit uncommon, conversion factors that a packager might use, such as 
weight expressed in grain, or length expressed in rods. The Commission 
proposes to correct this omission by deleting the current chart and 
incorporating by reference the complete metric conversion chart 
published in National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 
130, Uniform Laws and Regulations in the areas of legal metrology and 
engine fuel quality (2015 ed., p. 95). Members of the public can access 
the Handbook online at NIST's Web site, NIST.gov.

C. Address the Use of Exponents With Customary Inch/Pound Measurements

    NCWM noted that, in the current rule (section 500.22), exponents 
are not listed for customary inch/pound measurements, but are included 
in the metric examples listed in Section 500.23(b) (e.g., cubic 
centimeter--cm\3\). Because exponents are not listed in the customary 
inch/pound measurements, NCWM argued that affected businesses may think 
they are not permitted. It further asserted that use of exponents with 
both metric and customary inch/pound units is common in the 
marketplace. Moreover, the Office of Weights and Measures of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, which is authorized to promote uniformity in labeling 
regulation, has historically sanctioned exponent use with customary 
inch/pound units.\29\ Therefore, the Commission now proposes to clarify 
the Rules to expressly permit exponents with customary inch/pound 
measurements (e.g., cubic inches--in\3\).
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    \29\ NCWM (1).
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D. Delete Prohibitions on Certain Retail Price Sales Representations

    The Commission proposes to eliminate sections addressing when and 
how a packager or labeler represents a commodity to be ``cents off,'' 
an ``introductory offer,'' or ``economy size.'' \30\ The Commission 
originally promulgated these provisions to curtail certain price 
representations that were commonly used in a deceptive manner during 
the 1960s and 1970s. However, these representations are now rarely seen 
in the modern marketplace. Indeed, they have been absent for some 
time.\31\ Should they re-appear, the Commission has other tools at its 
disposal to ensure they are not used deceptively.
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    \30\ 15 U.S.C. 1454(c)(2).
    \31\ In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revoked 
similar regulations for ``cents off'' and economy size 
representations, on the grounds that such representations were no 
longer used in the marketplace. 62 FR 39439 (July 23, 1997).
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E. Acknowledge the Role of Weights-and-Measures Laws of Individual 
States

    NCWM reported that businesses look to the Rules but often neglect 
state regulations. Many products outside the Commission's FPLA purview 
fall within the purview of those laws. NCWM asserted that amending the 
Rules to acknowledge the state role would aid compliance efforts by 
alerting businesses that state laws may apply. Therefore, the 
Commission proposes to amend the Rules to state ``[m]any products 
exempted through proceedings under section 5(b) of the Act and section 
500.3(e) of this chapter or excluded under part 503 of this chapter 
nonetheless fall within the purview of the weights-and-measures laws of 
individual states.''

[[Page 5494]]

V. Other Amendments the Commission Declines To Propose

    Several comments urged the Commission to revise the Rules to: (1) 
Prohibit certain net quantity comparisons; (2) permit metric-only 
labels; (3) change ``customary inch/pound'' terminology; (4) prohibit 
periods and plurals in customary inch/pound abbreviations; (5) expand 
the definition of consumer commodity and rules governing non-functional 
slack-fill; (6) permit icons for items sold by numeric count; and (7) 
harmonize labeling regulations throughout the federal government and 
internationally. As explained below, the Commission declines these 
requests either because the record is insufficient to support them or 
the Commission lacks the authority to adopt them.

A. Prohibit Certain Net Quantity Comparisons

    The NCWM comment urged the Commission to expand section 500.6(b)'s 
prohibition on supplemental descriptions of net quantity statements. 
The section currently prohibits misleading terms used to qualify a unit 
of weight or mass, measure, or count, giving specific impermissible 
examples such as ``jumbo quart,'' ``giant liter,'' ``full gallon,'' 
``when packed,'' and ``minimum.'' NCWM sought to affirmatively prohibit 
terms such as ``approximately'' or ``equivalent to,'' explaining that 
such a ban would reduce consumer confusion and provide clearer guidance 
to businesses.
    The Rule, however, already covers these statements, to the extent 
they are misleading, by prohibiting any net quantity qualifiers ``of 
similar import.'' \32\ Moreover, the record contains no evidence of 
widespread deception using these terms. Because an outright ban could 
impinge on non-deceptive comparative performance claims, the Commission 
declines to adopt this amendment without a greater showing that a ban 
is needed.
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    \32\ 16 CFR 500.6(b).
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B. Permit Metric-Only Labels

    Several comments sought to revise the regulations to permit metric-
only labeling.\33\ However, the Act requires both customary inch/pound 
and metric labeling.\34\ Thus, the Commission lacks the authority to 
amend the Rules to implement this proposal.
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    \33\ Nichols (2), US Metric (3), IEEE (4), Schlesinger (12), 
Vlietstra (13), Mechtly (10), Steele (11); see also NCWM (1) 
(acknowledging that the FPLA requires use of customary inch/pound 
units, but recommending that the Commission exercise its enforcement 
discretion to allow use of metric-only net quantity statements).
    \34\ Section 1453(a)(2).
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C. Change ``Customary Inch/Pound'' Terminology

    The Rules make numerous references to ``customary inch/pound'' to 
describe non-metric measurements. One comment proposed to substitute 
the phrase ``U.S. Customary units'' in place of ``customary inch/
pound,'' explaining the latter term is confusing because it does not, 
on its face, include volume (although the Rules definition does).\35\ 
The Act itself, however, uses the ``customary inch/pound'' terminology. 
Creating a discrepancy between the language of the Act and that of the 
Rules risks injecting a new layer of confusion. Therefore, the proposed 
Rules continue to mirror the Act's language.\36\
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    \35\ NCWM (1); 16 CFR 500.2(k) (customary inch/pound includes 
``the fluid ounce, pint, quart, and gallon for volume.'')
    \36\ See Section 1453(a)(2) (using ``customary inch/pound'' 
phrase).
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D. Prohibit Periods and Plurals in Customary Inch/Pound Abbreviations

    Section 500.22 currently permits the use of periods and plurals 
with customary inch/pound abbreviations in connection with the net-
quantity-of-content statement. For example, a label can use ``in.'' or 
``in'' as the abbreviation for ``inch'' and ``lbs or ``lb'' for 
``pounds.'' NCWM proposed to prohibit these periods and plurals because 
they are inconsistent with the metric system, and reportedly cause 
confusion in the marketplace. The NCWM comment also stated that use of 
periods and plurals on commodity labels is rare. If use of periods and 
plurals is rare, however, consumer confusion resulting from their use 
would be equally rare. In the absence of evidence of consumer 
confusion, the Commission declines to propose prohibiting the use of 
periods and plurals.

E. Expand the Definition of Consumer Commodity and Issue Rules 
Governing Non-Functional Slack-Fill

    The NCWM comment asked the Commission to expand its definition of 
``consumer commodity'' and issue rules governing non-functional slack-
fill.\37\ The comment, however, did not request specific amendments, 
identify wide-spread marketplace deception, or provide information on 
the costs and benefits of these proposals. Therefore, the Commission 
declines to pursue such expansion.
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    \37\ ``Consumer commodity'' is defined in Section 1459(a) of the 
Act and further clarified in Sections 500.2(c), 503.2, and 503.5 of 
the Rules.
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F. Permit Icons for Items Sold by Numeric Count

    The NWCM comment sought to permit the use of icons (pictoral 
symbols) to display a numeric count. For example, a package could 
convey that it contains three razors with a label showing three razor 
symbols. The Rules do not prohibit the non-misleading use of icons to 
display numeric count. Therefore, this revision is unnecessary.

G. Require Largest Common Whole Unit for Customary Inch/Pound 
Measurements When Several Sizes of Same Product Are in Marketplace

    One comment sought to revise the Rules to require use of the 
largest common whole unit for customary inch/pound measurements when 
several sizes of the same product are in the marketplace.\38\ For 
example, if powder laundry detergent is sold in 12.5 ounce; 1 pound, 9 
ounce; and 3 pound, 2 ounce sizes, NCWM sought to revise the Rules to 
require each container to use the largest whole unit common to all 
three sizes (in this instance, ounces, e.g. 12.5, 25, and 50 ounces). 
The Rules currently permit this expression of measurements but do not 
require it.\39\ The Commission need not explore whether such an 
amendment would be beneficial because the Act expressly permits 
expression of remainders in common whole units (e.g., ``expressed in 
pounds, with any remainder in terms of ounces . . .'').\40\ Therefore, 
the Commission lacks the authority to adopt such a change.
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    \38\ NCWM (1). This proposal would affect Sections 500.9-14.
    \39\ See examples in the Act's Section 1453(a)(3)(A)(i-iv) and 
the Rule's Sections 500.9-14.
    \40\ Section 1453(a)(3)(A)(i-iv). For example, Section 
1453(a)(3)(A)(i) states, ``if on a package labeled in terms of 
weight, [the net quantity of contents] shall be expressed in pounds, 
with any remainder in terms of ounces or common or decimal fractions 
of the pound.'' Using NCWM's example, the 25 ounce powder laundry 
detergent's net quantity statement also can be expressed either as 1 
pound 9 ounces or 1.56 pounds.
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H. Harmonize Labeling Regulations

    Several comments noted complexities in overlapping domestic 
labeling laws as well as conflicting international systems.\41\ For 
example, according to the NCWM comment, while a paper towel would be 
traditionally covered under the Rules, a microwave-safe paper towel 
would likely fall under FDA jurisdiction. As a result, businesses face 
difficulty achieving market efficiencies because slight changes in a 
product or sale region require different packaging and labels. However, 
the Act

[[Page 5495]]

specifically directs the Secretary of Commerce to address uniformity 
between state and federal FPLA labeling regulations.\42\ Having two 
agencies addressing the same problem could lead to confusion, or worse, 
confliciting advice. Therefore, the Commission defers to the Department 
of Commerce, to which Congress delegated this authority. Between 
federal agencies and international regulators, the Commission will 
continue to work to the best of its ability to harmonize any 
overlapping regulations that unduly burden entities.
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    \41\ NCWM (1), Mechtly (10), Steele (11), Schlesinger (12), IEEE 
(4), Nichols (2).
    \42\ 15 U.S.C. 1458.
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    The Commission also received requests for changes beyond the scope 
of the Rules, such as creation of a mechanism to detect fake 
commodities,\43\ uniform expiration dates,\44\ and changes to a 
National Institute of Standards and Technology manual.\45\ The Rules, 
however, are limited to the packaging and labeling aspects of certain 
consumer commodities. Therefore, these requests are beyond the subject 
matter of this proceeding.
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    \43\ Police Assistance Committee of Nigeria (5).
    \44\ Dunn (14).
    \45\ Beaumont (6).
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VI. Request for Comments

    You can file a comment online or on paper. For the Commission to 
consider your comment, we must receive it on or before March 30, 2015. 
Write ``FPLA Rules, 16 CFR parts 500-503, Project No. R411015'' on your 
comment. Your comment--including your name and your state--will be 
placed on the public record of this proceeding, including, to the 
extent practicable, on the public Commission Web site, at http://www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm. As a matter of discretion, the 
Commission tries to remove individuals' home contact information from 
comments before placing them on the Commission Web site.
    Because your comment will be made public, you are solely 
responsible for making sure your comment doesn't include any sensitive 
personal information, such as anyone's Social Security number, date of 
birth, driver's license number or other state identification number or 
foreign country equivalent, passport number, financial account number, 
or credit or debit card number. You are also solely responsible for 
making sure your comment does not include any sensitive health 
information, such as medical records or other individually identifiable 
health information. In addition, do not include any ``[t]rade secret or 
any commercial or financial information which is . . . privileged or 
confidential,'' as discussed in Section 6(f) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 
46(f), and FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 16 CFR 4.10(a)(2). In particular, do 
not include competitively sensitive information such as costs, sales 
statistics, inventories, formulas, patterns, devices, manufacturing 
processes, or customer names.
    If you want the Commission to give your comment confidential 
treatment, you must file it in paper form, with a request for 
confidential treatment, and you have to follow the procedure explained 
in FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).\46\ Your comment will be kept 
confidential only if the FTC General Counsel grants your request in 
accordance with the law.
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    \46\ In particular, the written request for confidential 
treatment accompanying the comment must include the factual and 
legal basis for the request, and must identify the specific portions 
of the comment to be withheld from the public record. See FTC Rule 
4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).
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    Postal mail addressed to the Commission is subject to delay due to 
heightened security screening. As a result, we encourage you to submit 
your comments online. To make sure the Commission considers your online 
comment, you must file it at https://ftcpublic.commentworks.com/ftc/fplanprm, by following the instructions on the web-based form. If this 
Notice appears at http://www.regulations.gov/#!home, you also may file 
a comment through that Web site.
    If you file your comment on paper, write ``FPLA Rules, 16 CFR parts 
500-503, Project No. R411015'' on your comment and on the envelope, and 
mail or deliver it to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, 
Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite CC-5610 
(Annex G), Washington, DC 20580, or deliver your comment to the 
following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 
Constitution Center, 400 7th Street SW., 5th Floor, Suite 5610 (Annex 
G), Washington, DC 20024. If possible, submit your paper comment to the 
Commission by courier or overnight service.
    Visit the Commission Web site at http://www.ftc.gov to read this 
NPRM and the news release describing it. The FTC Act and other laws the 
Commission administers permit the collection of public comments to 
consider and use in this proceeding as appropriate. The Commission will 
consider all timely and responsive public comments it receives on or 
before March 30, 2015. You can find more information, including routine 
uses permitted by the Privacy Act, in the Commission's privacy policy, 
at http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/privacy.htm.
    The Commission invites members of the public to comment on any 
issues or concerns they believe are relevant or appropriate to the 
Commission's consideration of proposed amendments to these Rules. The 
Commission requests you provide factual data upon which your comments 
are based. In addition to the issues raised above, the Commission 
solicits public comment on the costs and benefits to industry members 
and consumers of each of the proposals as well as the specific 
questions identified below. These questions are designed to assist the 
public and should not be construed as a limitation on the issues on 
which public comment may be submitted.

Questions

    1. General Questions on Proposed Amendments: To maximize the 
benefits and minimize the costs for buyers and sellers (including small 
businesses), the Commission seeks views and data on the following 
general questions for each of the proposed changes described in this 
NPRM:
    (A) What benefits would a proposed change confer and on whom? The 
Commission in particular seeks information on any benefits a change 
would confer on consumers of consumer commodities as defined in the 
Act.
    (B) What costs or burdens would a proposed change impose and on 
whom? The Commission in particular seeks information on any burdens a 
change would impose on small businesses.
    (C) What regulatory alternatives to the proposed changes are 
available that would reduce the burdens of the proposed changes while 
providing the same benefits?
    (D) What evidence supports your answers?
    2. Use of Exponents with Customary Inch/Pound Units.
    (A) Would the proposed amendment to customary inch/pound units to 
permit exponents positively or negatively affect the extent to which 
consumers are informed about net quantity of content? If so, how?
    (B) Would the proposed amendment to customary inch/pound units to 
permit exponents prevent deception or confusion regarding net quantity 
of consumer commodities? If so, how? Should the Commission provide 
different or additional examples of net-quantity-of-content statements 
for customary inch/pound units? If so, what?
    (C) What evidence supports your answers?

[[Page 5496]]

VII. Communications to Commissioners and Commissioner Advisors by 
Outside Parties

    Written communications and summaries or transcripts of oral 
communications respecting the merits of this proceeding from any 
outside party to any Commissioner or Commissioner's advisor will be 
placed on the public record.\47\
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    \47\ See 16 CFR 1.26(b)(5).
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VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Rules contain various existing information collection 
requirements for which the Commission has obtained OMB clearance under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA'').\48\ Because the proposed 
amendments do not trigger additional recordkeeping, disclosure, or 
reporting requirements, there is no incremental burden under the PRA. 
See 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.
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    \48\ 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. On May 2, 2012, OMB granted 
clearance through May 31, 2015, for these requirements and the 
associated PRA burden estimates. The OMB control number is 3084-
0110.
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IX. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA'') \49\ requires the 
Commission to conduct an analysis of the anticipated economic impact of 
the proposed amendments on small entities.\50\ The purpose of a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is to ensure the agency considers the 
impacts on small entities and examines regulatory alternatives that 
could achieve the regulatory purpose while minimizing burdens on small 
entities. Section 605 of the RFA \51\ provides that such an analysis is 
not required if the agency head certifies that the regulatory action 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
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    \49\ 5 U.S.C. 601-612.
    \50\ The Commission previously conducted an RFA analysis of the 
Rules. 59 FR 1862 (Jan. 12, 1994).
    \51\ 5 U.S.C. 605.
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    The Commission believes the proposed amendments will not have a 
significant economic impact on small entities, although they may affect 
a substantial number of small businesses. The proposed amendments 
expand labeling options to accommodate the rise of online media, remove 
unnecessary price statement prohibitions, or are technical in nature.
    In the Commission's view, the proposed amendments will not have a 
significant or disproportionate impact on the costs small entities 
incur in manufacturing, distributing, or selling consumer commodities. 
Indeed, the proposed rule revisions provide increased flexibility for 
companies complying with the Rule. Therefore, based on available 
information, the Commission certifies that amending the Rules as 
proposed will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small businesses.
    Although the Commission certifies under the RFA that the proposed 
amendments will not, if promulgated, have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the Commission has nonetheless 
determined it is appropriate to publish an Initial Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis to inquire into the impact of the proposed 
amendments on small entities. Therefore, the Commission has prepared 
the following analysis:

A. Description of the Reasons the Agency Is Taking Action

    In response to public comments, the Commission proposes amending 
the Rules to respond to changed commercial practices and updated 
industry standards.

B. Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, the Proposed 
Amendments

    The objective of the proposed amendments is to clarify and update 
the Rules in accordance with marketplace practices. The Act authorizes 
the Commission to implement its requirements through the issuance of 
rules.
    The proposed amendments will clarify and update the Rules, and 
provide covered entities with additional labeling options without 
imposing significant new burdens or additional costs.

C. Small Entities to Which the Proposed Amendments Will Apply

    The proposed amendments cover every company in the economy that 
produces consumer commodities other than those commodities falling 
within the authority of other agencies or otherwise outside the Act's 
or Rules' scope. Based on available information, it is not feasible for 
the Commission to estimate the number of entities within this class of 
industry that are also small companies within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.\52\ A substantial number of these entities 
likely qualify as small businesses. Nevertheless, the Commission 
estimates that the proposed amendments will not have a significant 
impact on small businesses because the proposed amendments do not 
impose any significant new obligations. The Commission seeks comment 
with regard to the estimated number or nature of small business 
entities, if any, for which the proposed amendments would have a 
significant impact.
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    \52\ 5 U.S.C. 601(3).
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D. Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements, Including Classes of Covered Small Entities and 
Professional Skills Needed To Comply

    As explained earlier in this document, the proposed amendments 
expand labeling options to accommodate the rise of online media, remove 
unnecessary price statement prohibitions, or are technical in nature. 
The small entities potentially covered by these proposed amendments 
will include all such entities subject to the Rules. The professional 
skills necessary for compliance with the Rules as modified by the 
proposed amendments will include office and administrative support 
supervisors to determine label content and clerical personnel to draft 
and obtain labels and keep records. The Commission invites comment and 
information on these issues, including estimates or data on specific 
compliance costs that small entities might be expected to incur.

E. Duplicative, Overlapping, or Conflicting Federal Rules

    The Commission has not identified any other federal statutes, 
rules, or policies duplicating, overlapping, or conflicting with the 
proposed amendments. The Commission invites comment on this issue.

F. Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Amendments

    The Commission has not proposed any specific small entity exemption 
or other significant alternatives, as the proposed amendments expand 
labeling options to accommodate the rise of online media, remove 
unnecessary price statement prohibitions, or are technical in nature. 
In addition, these proposed changes provide new flexibilities for small 
entitities by, for example, allowing regulated entities to omit a 
business address from a label if the address is readily available in an 
online directory or other Web site. Under these limited circumstances, 
the Commission does not believe a special exemption for small entities 
or significant compliance alternatives are necessary or appropriate to 
minimize the compliance burden, if any, on small entities while 
achieving the intended purposes of the proposed amendments. 
Nonetheless, the Commission seeks comment on the need, if any, for 
alternative compliance methods to reduce the economic impact of the 
Rules on small entities. If the comments filed in response to this

[[Page 5497]]

NPRM identify small entities affected by the proposed amendments, as 
well as alternative methods of compliance that would reduce the 
economic impact of the proposed amendments on such entities, the 
Commission will consider the feasibility of such alternatives and 
determine whether they should be incorporated into the final Rules.

List of Subjects

16 CFR Part 500

    Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, Incorporation by reference, 
Labeling, Packaging and containers, Trade practices.

16 CFR Part 502

    Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, Labeling, Packaging and 
containers, Trade practices.

    Under 15 U.S.C. 1454-1455 and as discussed in the preamble, the 
Federal Trade Commission proposes to amend title 16 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations by revising parts 500 and 502 as follows:

PART 500--REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE FAIR PACKAGING AND 
LABELING ACT

0
1. The authority citation for part 500 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 1453, 1454, 1455.

0
2. Amend Sec.  500.3 by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  500.3  Prohibited acts, coverage, general labeling requirements, 
exemption procedures.

* * * * *
    (d) Each packaged or labeled consumer commodity, unless it has been 
exempted through proceedings under section 5(b) of the Act, shall bear 
a label specifying the identity of the commodity; the name and place of 
business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; the net quantity 
of contents; and the net quantity per serving, use or application, 
where there is a label representation as to the number of servings, 
uses, or applications obtainable from the commodity. Many products 
exempted through proceedings under section 5(b) of the Act and 
paragraph (e) of this section or excluded under part 503 of this 
chapter nonetheless fall within the purview of the weights-and-measures 
laws of the individual states.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  500.5 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  500.5  Name and place of business of manufacturer, packer or 
distributor.

* * * * *
    (c) The statement of the place of business shall include the street 
address, city, state, and zip code; however, the street address may be 
omitted if it is listed in a readily accessible, widely published, and 
publicly available resource, including but not limited to a printed 
directory, electronic database, or Web site.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  500.19 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  500.19  Conversion of SI metric quantities to inch/pound 
quantities and inch/pound quantities to SI metric quantities.

    (a) For calculating the conversion of SI metric quantities to and 
from customary inch/pound quantities, the conversion chart published in 
the following handbook shall be employed: National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Handbook 130, Uniform Laws and Regulations in 
the areas of legal metrology and engine fuel quality (2015 ed., p. 95). 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Copies may be inspected at the Federal Trade Commission by calling 202-
326-2222, or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, 
call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
* * * * *
0
5. Revise Sec.  500.22 to read as follows:


Sec.  500.22  Abbreviations.

    The following abbreviations and none other may be employed in the 
required net quantity declaration:

Inch--in.
Feet or foot--ft.
Fluid--fl.
Liquid--liq.
Ounce--oz.
Gallon--gal.
Pint--pt.
Pound--lb.
Quart--qt.
Square--sq.
Weight--wt.
Yard--yd.
Avoirdupois--avdp.
Cubic--cu.

    Note: Periods and plural forms shall be optional. Exponents are 
permitted.

PART 502--REGULATIONS UNDER SECTION 5(C) OF THE FAIR PACKAGING AND 
LABELING ACT

0
6. The authority citation for part 502 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 1454, 1455.


Sec. Sec.  502.100 through 502.102   [Removed and reserved]

0
7. Remove and reserve Sec. Sec.  502.100 through 502.102.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-01629 Filed 1-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P