FTC Seeks Public Input on Proposed Changes to Textile Labeling Rules; FTC Closes Investigations of 3 Football Helmet Manufacturers; FTC to Host Roundtable on Possible Changes to Jewelry Industry Marketing Guides

FTC Seeks Public Input on Proposed Changes to Textile Labeling Rules

The Federal Trade Commission is proposing changes to its Textile Labeling Rules, which require that certain textiles sold in the United States carry labels disclosing the generic names and percentages by weight of the fibers in the product, the manufacturer or marketer name, and the country where the product was processed or manufactured.  The Rules implement the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act.

In November 2012, the FTC sought public comment on the Rules as part of its systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides.  In response to the comments received, the FTC proposes changes designed to clarify and update the Rules, and make them more flexible, giving businesses more compliance options without imposing significant new obligations.  The FTC also seeks comment on the costs and benefits of the proposed changes.

The Commission vote to publish the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was 4-0.  It is available on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon.  Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice.  Comments must be received by July 8, 2013.  All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm.  (FTC File No. P948404; the staff contact is Robert M. Frisby, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2098.)

FTC Closes Investigations of 3 Football Helmet Manufacturers
 
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has closed its investigations of three companies that manufacture and sell football helmets:  Riddell Sports Group, Inc., Schutt Sports, Inc., and Xenith, LLC, all of which have removed or agreed to remove potentially deceptive claims about concussion prevention from their advertising.  (The media contact is Peter Kaplan, Office of Public Affairs, 202-326-2334.)

FTC to Host Roundtable on Possible Changes to Jewelry Industry Marketing Guides

The Federal Trade Commission will host a public roundtable on June 19, 2013, in Washington, DC, to examine possible changes to the agency’s Jewelry Guides.

In July 2012, the FTC sought public comment on the overall costs, benefits, necessity, and impact of, as well as possible modifications to, the Guides as part of its systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides.  To address comments received, the FTC will host a roundtable to discuss the marketing of alloy products containing precious metals in amounts below the Guides’ minimum thresholds, and surface applications of precious metals.
           
The Guides (formally, the “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries”) explain to businesses how to avoid making deceptive claims about precious metal, pewter, diamond, gemstone, and pearl products, and how to make appropriate disclosures.  The FTC completed its last comprehensive review of the Guides in 1996, and has modified them four times since.

The roundtable will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the FTC’s Satellite Building Conference Center, 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW; with registration beginning at 8 a.m.  It is free and open to the public.  Pre-registration is not required but is encouraged to help staff plan the event.  To pre-register, please email your name and affiliation to lkoss@ftc.gov.   Before the roundtable, the FTC will publish an agenda and more information on its website. 

The Commission invites additional comments regarding specific questions to be addressed at the roundtable, as outlined in a Federal Register Notice. Interested parties may file those comments online or on paper by June 5, 2013.  Write “Jewelry Guides Roundtable, 16 CFR Part 23, Project No. G711001” on your comment, and file your comment online by following the instructions on the web-based form.  To file your comment on paper, mail or deliver it to Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-113 (Annex O), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20580.  All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.  If you need an accommodation related to a disability, please contact Samantha Konstandt at skonstandt@ftc.gov or 202-326-3348.  Your request should include a detailed description of the accommodations you need and a way to contact you if we need more information.  Please provide advance notice.   (FTC File No. G711001; the staff contacts are Reenah Kim, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2272, and Laura D. Koss, Bureau of Consumer Protection, (202) 326-2890.)

The Commission vote to publish a notice in the Federal Register was 4-0.

Copies of the document mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s website at and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580.  Call toll-free:  1-877-FTC-HELP.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.