[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 1538-1545] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-789] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Chapter I Notice of Intent To Request Public Comments on Rules and Guides AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice of intent to request public comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As part of its systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides, the Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'') gives notice that it intends to request public comments on the rules and guides listed below during 1996. The Commission will request comments on, among other things, the economic impact of, and the continuing need for, the rules or guides, possible conflict between the rules or guides and state, local, or other federal laws or regulations, and the effect on the rules or guides of any technological, economic, or other industry changes. No Commission determination on the need for or the substance of a rule, regulation, guide, or interpretation, or any other procedural option, should be inferred from the intent to publish requests for comments. In certain instances the reviews also will address other specific matters or issues. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further details may be obtained from the Commission's contact person(s) listed for each particular item. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is publishing a list of rules and guides that it intends to initiate reviews of and solicit public comments on during 1996. Agency Contact for the Following Item: Jessica D. Gray, Boston Regional Office, Suite 810, 101 Merrimac St., Boston, MA 02114-4719, (617) 424-5960. (1) Guides for Mirror Industry (16 CFR Part 21). Agency Contact for the Following Items: Carole I. Danielson, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Marketing Practices, Room H-238, Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-3115. (2) Guides for the Advertising of Warranties and Guarantees (16 CFR Part 239). (3) Interpretations of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (16 CFR Part 700). (4) Disclosure of Written Consumer Product Warranty Terms and Conditions (16 CFR Part 701). (5) Pre-Sale Availability of Written Warranty Terms (16 CFR Part 702). Agency Contacts for the Following Item: Joseph J. Koman, Jr., Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Enforcement, Room S-4302, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-3014, or Walter Gross III, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Service Industry Practices, Room H-200, Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-3319. (6) Guides for Private Vocational and Home Study Schools (16 CFR Part 254). Agency Contact for the Following Item: Neil J. Blickman, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Enforcement, Room S-4302, Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-3038. (7) Trade Regulation Rule Concerning Deceptive Advertising and Labeling of Previously Used Lubricating Oil (16 CFR Part 406). Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58. By direction of the Commission. Donald S. Clark, Secretary. Regulatory Review--Modified Revolving Ten-Year Plan--Arranged by Year for Each Review IV. Year III. Earliest/ first V. Year reg. I. 16 CFR part II. Topic latest FR issued flex. review VI. Office to VII. Year VIII. Old IX. Raises X. Miscellaneous cities in CFR if conducted review to review standard used BC issues * comments after 1981 (5) (35)............. (10)........... (9) (9) (8) (8) (9) (7) (70) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18............ Nursery industry. 1979........... ENF 1992 19............ Metallic watch 1979........... ENF 1992 bands. 23............ Jewelry.......... 1979........... ENF 1992 [[Page 1539]] 229........... Fallout shelters. 1967........... ENF 1992 230........... Shell homes...... 1967........... ENF 1992 232........... Radiation 1967........... ENF 1992 monitors. 245........... Watches.......... 1968........... ENF 1992 244........... Greeting cards-- 1968........... BC 1993 * discrim. practices. 306........... Octane Rule...... 1979........... 1985 ENF 1993 Metric. 400........... Sleeping bag..... 1963........... SIP 1993 cte Metric. 404........... Tablecloth Size 1964........... SIP 1993 cte Metric. Rule. 410........... TV Picture Size 1971........... AP 1993 Metric. Rule. 412........... Men's/boy's 1967........... Not Done BC 1993 * Overdue for Reg. clothing--discri Flex. review. m. pracs. 418........... Extension Ladder 1969........... SIP 1993 cte Metric. Rule. 500........... Regs. under Sec. 1968/71........ 1988 ENF/LARO 1993 4 of FPLA. 501........... Exemptions from 1970/71........ 1988 ENF/LARO 1993 Part 500. 502........... Regs. under Sec. 1971........... 1988 ENF/LARO 1993 5(c) of FPLA. 503........... Interps. under 1969/71........ 1988 ENF/LARO 1993 FPLA. 22............ Hosiery.......... 1979........... LARO 1994 utp, cte * Metric and export issues. 236........... Textiles--``mill' 1967........... LARO 1994 Trade names. ' in name. 252........... Wigs and other 1970........... LARO 1994 cte Statement of hairpieces. enf. pol. (9/9/ 71); foreign origin; flammable fabrics. 253........... Feather and down 1971........... NYRO 1994 cte Fed. products. specifications; metric. 300........... Rules and regs. 1941/88........ 1984 ENF/LARO 1994 under WPLA. 301........... Rules and regs. 1952/83........ 1984 ENF/LARO 1994 under FurPLA. 303........... Rules and regs. 1959/88........ 1984 ENF/LARO 1994 under TFPIA. 423........... Care Labeling 1983........... 1986 ENF 1994 Rule. 429........... Cooling-Off Rule. 1972/88........ 1988 ENF 1994 444........... Credit Practices 1984........... 1984 CP 1994 Rule. 455........... Used Car Rule.... 1984........... 1984 ENF 1994 24............ Luggage.......... 1979........... DARO 1995 utp, cte 231........... Shoe content..... 1967........... DARO 1995 cte 247........... Ladies handbags.. 1969........... DARO/BC 1995 cte * Guides: pricing. 248........... Beauty/barber 1968........... NYRO/BC 1995 cte FDA labeling equipment/ requirements. supplies. 260........... Environmental ............... 1992 AP 1995 marketing claims. 405........... Leather Content 1964........... LARO 1995 cte of Belts Rule. 409........... Light Bulb Rule.. 1970........... ENF 1995 Lamp labeling rules eff. 05/ 15/95, 16 CFR Part 305. 436........... Franchise Rule... 1978........... 1987 MP 1995 460........... R-value Rule..... 1979/90........ 1985 ENF 1995 14............ Interpretations, Misc........... ENF **1995 etc. 234........... Mail order 1967........... SIP **1995 cte Testimonials. insurance. 237........... Debt collection.. 1967........... CP **1995 [[Page 1540]] 242........... ``Free'' 1968........... SRO **1995 Cites ``Free'' photographic Trade Practice film/processing. Rule (12/1/53). 402........... Binocular Rule... 1964........... AP **1995 cte 413........... Glass fiber 1967........... MP **1995 cte Health and curtains/ safety draperies. labeling. 417........... Frosted Cocktail 1969........... 1990 ENF **1995 cte Glass Rule. 800........... Transitional rule 1978........... BC **1995 * (mergers). 21............ Mirrors.......... 1979........... BRO 1996 utp, cte Uses ASTM definitions. 239........... Warranty/ 1985........... MP 1996 guarantee advertising. 254........... Vocational/home 1972........... SIP 1996 cte Collections/ study schools. credit practices; free; pricing. 406........... Used Oil Rule.... 1964/81........ ENF 1996 700........... Interps. of MM/ 1977........... MP 1996 Warranty Act. 701........... Discl. of written 1975........... MP 1996 warranties. 702........... Pre-sale 1975/87........ 1986A MP 1996 Availability Rule. 308........... 900 Number Rule.. 1993........... AP/CP/MP 1997 Promulgated by Commission in 1993, Sec. 308.9 requires review in 1997. 425........... Negative Option 1973........... 1987 SIP 1997 Rule. 703........... Informal dispute 1975........... 1986 MP 1997 settlement. 801........... Coverage rules 1978/87........ BC 1997 * (mergers). 802........... Exemption rules 1978/87........ BC 1997 * (mergers). 803........... Transmittal rules 1978/89........ BC 1997 * (mergers). 20............ Used auto parts.. 1979........... CLRO 1998 utp, cte 243........... Decorative wall 1971........... DERO 1998 cte Guides: bait paneling. advertising, guarantees, pricing. 304........... Rules and regs.-- 1975/88........ 1988A ENF 1998 Hobby Prot. Act. 456........... Ophthalmic 1989/92........ 1989 1989 SIP 1998 Practice Rules. 235........... Adhesive 1967........... SFRO 1999 Guarantees, compositions. guarantee guides. 240........... Ad allowances/ 1990........... BC 1999 * merch. payments. 256........... Law books........ 1975........... ENF 1999 cte Billing practices. 259........... Mileage Guides... 1978........... CLRO 1999 307........... Regs.--Smokeless 1986/91........ 1986 AP 1999 Metric. Tobacco. 432........... Amplifier Rule... 1974........... 1990 MP 1999 453........... Funeral Practices 1982/94........ 1982 SIP 1999 Comm. amend. Rule. specified 1999 review, 59 FR 1592, 1595 n. 29 (01/11/94). 600........... Statements--gen. 1990........... CP 1999 policy/interps. [[Page 1541]] 901........... Fair Debt C.P. 1979........... CP 1999 Act--state exempts. 233........... Deceptive pricing 1967........... CHRO 2000 238........... Bait advertising. 1967........... AP 2000 241........... Dog and cat food. 1969........... AP 2000 cte Bait advertising, endorsements, guarantees, pricing. 250........... Household 1973........... ARO 2000 cte * Guides: bait furniture. advertising, pricing; ``new''. 251........... Use of word 1971........... CHRO/BC 2000 * Guides: FPLA, ``free''. pricing, advertising allowances. 228........... Tires............ 1967........... CLRO 2001 cte Bait advertising, guarantees, pricing claims. 255........... Endorsements/ 1975/80........ AP 2001 testimonials in ads. 408........... Health Hazards of 1965........... AP 2001 Smoking Rule. 424........... Unavailability 1989........... 1989A ENF 2001 Rule. 433........... Holder--In-Due- 1975/77........ 1992 CP 2001 Course Rule. 306........... Automotive Fuels 1979/93........ ENF 2003 Reviewed and Rule. amended by Commission in 1993. 435........... Mail or Telephone 1975/93........ 1983 ENF 2003 Reviewed and Order Rule. amended by Commission in 1993. 18............ Nursery industry. 1979/94........ ENF 2004 Reviewed and amended by Commission in 1994. 309........... Appliance 1979/94........ ENF 2004 Reviewed and Labeling Rule. amended by Commission in 1994. 410........... TV Picture Size 1971/94........ AP 2004 Reviewed and Rule. amended by Commission in 1994. 500........... Regs. under Sec. 1968/94........ 1988 ENF/LARO 2004 Reviewed and 4 of FPLA. amended by Commission in 1994. 501........... Exemptions from 1970/71........ 1988 ENF/LARO 2004 Reviewed by Part 500. Commission in 1994. 502........... Regs. under Sec. 1971........... 1988 ENF/LARO 2004 Reviewed by 5(c) of FPLA. Commission in 1994. 503........... Interps. under 1969/71........ 1988 ENF/LARO 2004 Reviewed by FPLA. Commission in 1994. 14............ Interpretations Misc........... ENF 2005 and Guidelines. 403........... Dry Cell 1964........... MP 2005 cte Guarantees. Batteries Rule. Notes: Overall--The Games of Chance Rule (Part 419) is not included in the schedule at this time because it currently is pending for consideration. [[Page 1542]] Overall--The reviews scheduled of the HSR rules (Parts 801, 802 and 803) in 1997 are in addition to BC's ongoing review of individual sections of the rules. Col. III.--Year given is that of Fed. Reg. notice cited in CFR, not necessarily year original or amendment was effective, which may be later. Col. IV.--Year given is that of Fed. Reg. notice cited in CFR, not necessarily year effective, which may be later. Col. V.--``A'' following year indicates rule amended as part of Reg. Flex. review proceeding. Col. VII.--The items reviewed in 1995 that are market ``**'' were reviewed during 1995, although previously they were scheduled for review during later years. Col. VIII.--``utp'' refers to ``unfair trade practice'' and ``cte'' refers to variation of ``capacity, tendency or effect of misleading or deceiving'' language used. Col. X.--For rules and guides in Subchapters B-D, the comments point out those that incorporate or cover issues included in other FTC rules and guides, include metric measurement issues, incorporate or refer to non-FTC standards, or raise health and safety or other issues of interest. The comments specify the rules and guides not scheduled for review at this time. [10YRPLAN Ver. 12/12/95] Status of Reviews Initiated Since 1992 VI. Year I. 16 CFR III. File No. V. Office review VII. Request for comments part II. Rule assigned IV. Status conducting conducted/ published VIII. Action taken review scheduled (5) (36)............ (10) (9).............. (10) (10) (24).............................. (70) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18........... Nursery industry P924213 Complete......... ENF 1992 58 FR 16139 (03/25/93)............ Comm. amended guides, 59 FR 64546 (12/14/94). 19........... Metallic watch P924217 Ongoing.......... ENF 1992 57 FR 24996 (06/12/92)............ Staff recom. to bands. revise fwd. to BCP 09/29/95. 23........... Jewelry......... P924217 Ongoing.......... ENF 1992 57 FR 24996 (06/12/92)............ Staff recom. to revise fwd. to BCP 09/29/95. 245.......... Watches......... P924217 Ongoing.......... ENF 1992 57 FR 24996 (06/12/92)............ Staff preparing recom. to revise. 229.......... Fallout shelters P924218 Complete......... ENF 1992 57 FR 41706 (09/11/92)............ Comm. repealed guides, 58 FR 68292 (12/27/93). 232.......... Radiation P924218 Complete......... ENF 1992 57 FR 41706 (09/11/92)............ Comm. repealed monitors. guides, 58 FR 68292 (12/27/93). 230.......... Shell homes..... P924219 Complete......... ENF 1992 57 FR 41707 (09/11/92)............ Comm. repealed guides, 59 FR 49804 (09/30/94). 244.......... Greeting cards-- P843833 Complete......... BC 1993 58 FR 35414 (07/01/93)............ Comm. repealed discrim. guides, 59 FR 8527 practices. (02/23/94). 306.......... Fuel Rating Rule R811005 Complete......... ENF 1993 58 FR 16464 (03/26/93)............ Comm. amend. under (prev. Octane EPA 92 (liq. alt. Rule). fuels), 58 FR 41356 (08/03/93). 400.......... Sleeping Bag P924214 Complete......... SIP 1993 58 FR 21095 (04/19/93)............ ANPR (propos. Rule. repeal), 60 FR 27240 (05/23/95). 400.......... Sleeping Bag R511031 Complete......... SIP 1993 .................................. NPR, 60 FR 48063 (09/ Rule. 18/95). 400.......... Sleeping Bag R511031 Complete......... ENF 1993 .................................. Commission repealed Rule. rule on 12/15/95. 404.......... Tablecloth Size P924214 Complete......... SIP 1993 58 FR 21124 (04/19/93)............ ANPR (propos. Rule. repeal), 60 FR 27242 (05/23/95). 404.......... Tablecloth Size R511032 Complete......... SIP 1993 .................................. NPR, 60 FR 48067 (09/ Rule. 18/95). 404.......... Tablecloth Size R511032 Complete......... ENF 1993 .................................. Commission repealed Rule. on rule 12/15/95. 410.......... TV Picture Size P924214 Complete......... AP 1993 58 FR 21125 (04/19/93)............ Comm. amended rule Rule. (non-substantive), 59 FR 54809 (11/02/ 94). 412.......... Men's/boy's P843833 Complete......... BC 1993 58 FR 35907 (07/02/93)............ Comm. repealed, 59 clothing--discr FR 8527 (02/23/94). im. pracs. 418.......... Extension Ladder P924214 Complete......... SIP 1993 58 FR 21125 (04/19/93)............ ANPR (propos. Rule. repeal), 60 FR 27245 (05/23/95). 418.......... Extension Ladder R511030 Complete......... SIP 1993 .................................. NPR, 60 FR 48075 (09/ Rule. 18/95). 418.......... Extension Ladder R511030 Complete......... ENF 1993 .................................. Commission repealed Rule. rule on 12/15/95. 500.......... Regulations P938402 Complete......... ENF/LARO 1993 58 FR 43726 (08/17/93)............ Comm. amended rule, under Sec. 4 of 59 FR 1862 (01/12/ FPLA. 94). [[Page 1543]] 501.......... Exemptions from P938402 Complete......... ENF/LARO 1993 58 FR 43726 (08/17/93)............ Comm. concluded Part 500. review with amendment of 16 CFR Part 500. 502.......... Regulations P938402 Complete......... ENF/LARO 1993 58 FR 43726 (08/17/93)............ Comm. concluded under Sec. 5(c) review with of FPLA. amendment of 16 CFR Part 500. 503.......... Interpretations P938402 Complete......... ENF/LARO 1993 58 FR 43726 (08/17/93)............ Comm. concluded under FPLA. review with amendment of 16 CFR Part 500. 22........... Hosiery......... P948405 Ongoing.......... LARO 1994 59 FR 18004 (04/15/94)............ Staff reviewing comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 236.......... Textiles--``mill P948406 Complete......... LARO 1994 59 FR 18005 (04/15/94)............ Comm. repealed '' in name. guides, 60 FR 37334 (07/20/95). 252.......... Wigs and other P948407 Complete......... LARO 1994 59 FR 18005 (04/15/94)............ Comm. repealed hairpieces. guides, 60 FR 40453 (08/09/95). 253.......... Feather and down P948803 Ongoing.......... NYRO 1994 59 FR 18006 (04/15/94)............ Staff reviewing products. comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 300.......... Rules and regs. P948402 Ongoing.......... ENF/LARO 1994 59 FR 23645 (05/06/94)............ Staff reviewing under WPLA. comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 301.......... Rules and regs. P948403 Ongoing.......... ENF/LARO 1994 59 FR 23645 (05/06/94)............ Staff reviewing under FurPLA. comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 303.......... Rules and regs. P948404 Ongoing.......... ENF/LARO 1994 59 FR 23646 (05/06/94)............ Staff fwd. recom. to under TFPIA. revise guides to Comm. 12/15/95. 444.......... Credit Practices P944805 Complete......... CP 1994 59 FR 18009 (04/15/94)............ Comm. concluded Reg. Rule. Flex. & reg. reviews, 60 FR 24804 (05/10/95). 423.......... Care Labeling R511915 Ongoing.......... ENF 1994 59 FR 30733 (06/15/94)............ Comm. issued tent. Rule. cond. exempt., req. comments, 60 FR 57552 (11/16/95). 423.......... Care Labeling R511915 Ongoing.......... ENF 1994 .................................. Staff recom. for Rule. ANPR to amend fwd. to Comm. 10/17/95. 429.......... Cooling-Off Rule P944201 Complete......... ENF 1994 59 FR 18007 (04/15/94)............ Comm. amended rule (non-substantive), 60 FR 54180 (10/20/ 95). 455.......... Used Car Rule... P944202 Complete......... ENF 1994 59 FR 23647 (05/06/94)............ Comm. amended rule (non-substantive), 60 FR 62195 (12/05/ 95). 24........... Leather Products P958011 Ongoing.......... DARO 1995 .................................. Comm. propos. new (New Guides). guides, 60 FR 48056 (09/18/95). 24........... Leather Products P958011 Ongoing.......... DARO 1995 .................................. Staff reviewing (New Guides). comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 24........... Luggage......... P958009 Complete......... DARO 1995 60 FR 15724 (03/27/95)............ Comm. repealed guides, 60 FR 48027 (09/18/95). 231.......... Shoe content.... P958008 Complete......... DARO 1995 60 FR 15724 (03/27/95)............ Comm. repealed guides, 60 FR 48027 (09/18/95). 247.......... Ladies' handbags P958010 Complete......... DARO/BC 1995 60 FR 15724 (03/27/95)............ Comm. repealed guides, 60 FR 48027 (09/18/95). 248.......... Beauty/barber P958803 Complete......... NYRO/BC 1995 60 FR 17032 (04/04/95)............ Comm. repealed equipment/ guides, 60 FR 40267 supplies. (08/08/95). 260.......... Environmental P904501 Ongoing.......... AP 1995 60 FR 38978 (07/31/95)............ Staff reviewing marketing comments and claims. preparing recomm. to Comm. [[Page 1544]] 405.......... Leather Content P958401 Ongoing.......... LARO/ENF 1995 60 FR 15725 (03/27/95)............ .................... of Belts Rule. 405.......... Leather Content R511037 Ongoing.......... ENF 1995 .................................. ANPR (propos. of Belts Rule. repeal), 60 FR 48070 (09/18/95). 405.......... Leather Content R511037 Ongoing.......... ENF 1995 .................................. Staff fwd. NPR of Belts Rule. recom. repeal to BCP 11/20/95. 409.......... Light Bulb Rule. P954209 Ongoing.......... ENF 1995 60 FR 17491 (04/06/95)............ .................... 409.......... Light Bulb Rule. P511960 Ongoing.......... ENF 1995 .................................. Staff recom. for NPR to repeal fwd. to Comm. 11/09/95). 436.......... Franchise Rule.. P954402 Ongoing.......... MP 1995 60 FR 17656 (04/07/95)............ Staff reviewing comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 460.......... R-value Rule.... P954210 Ongoing.......... ENF 1995 60 FR 17492 (04/06/95)............ Staff reviewing comments and preparing recomm. to Comm. 14........... Interpretations, P954215 Complete......... ENF *1995 .................................. Comm. repealed or etc.. revised certain sections, 60 FR 40231 (08/15/95). 234.......... Mail order P954903 Complete......... SIP **1995 .................................. Comm. repealed insurance. guides, 60 FR 40262 (08/08/95). 237.......... Debt collection P954809 Complete......... CP **1995 .................................. Comm. repealed deception. guides, 60 FR 40263 (08/08/95). 242.......... Free P959101 Complete......... SRO **1995 .................................. Comm. repealed photographic guides, 60 FR 40265 film & services. (08/08/95). 402.......... Binocular Rule.. R511034 Complete......... AP **1995 .................................. ANPR (propos. repeal), 60 FR 27241 (05/23/95). 402.......... Binocular Rule.. R511034 Complete......... AP **1995 .................................. NPR (propos. repeal), 60 FR 48065 (09/18/95). 402.......... Binocular Rule.. R511034 Complete......... AP **1995 .................................. Commission repealed rule on 12/15/95). 413.......... Glass Fiber R511035 Complete......... ENF **1995 .................................. ANPR (propos. Curtain Rule. repeal), 60 FR 27243 (05/23/95). 413.......... Glass Fiber R511035 Complete......... ENF **1995 .................................. NPR (propos. Curtain Rule. repeal), 60 FR 48071 (09/18/95). 413.......... Glass Fiber R511035 Complete......... ENF **1995 .................................. Commission repealed Curtain Rule. rule on 12/15/95. 417.......... Quick-Freeze R511033 Complete......... ENF **1995 .................................. ANPR (propos. Spray Products repeal), 60 FR Rule. 27244 (05/23/95). 417.......... Quick-Freeze R511033 Complete......... ENF **1995 .................................. NPR (propos. Spray Products repeal), 60 FR Rule. 48073 (09/18/95) (comments due 10/18/ 95). 417.......... Quick-Freeze R511033 Complete......... ENF **1995 .................................. Commission repealed Spray Products rule on 12/15/95. Rule. 800.......... Transitional Complete......... BC **1995 Comm. repealed rule, rule (mergers). 60 FR 40704 (08/09/ 95). Notes: *The Interpretations, etc., in Part 14 were not published for comment as part of the regulatory review program. The Commission voted to repeal certain sections of Part 14, revise one section, and retain other sections based on quick-look reviews by staff. **These matters were scheduled for review in later years, but were moved forward by the Commission during 1995. [[Page 1545]] [STATUSRR--Rev. 12/15/95] [FR Doc. 96-789 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6750-01-M