[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10708-10709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6255]
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 21
Request for Comments Concerning Guides for the Mirror Industry
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'') is
requesting public comments on its Guides for the Mirror Industry (the
``Mirror Guides'' or ``these Guides''). The Commission is also
requesting comments about the overall costs and benefits of these
Guides and their overall regulatory and economic impact as a part of
its systematic review of all current Commission regulations and guides.
DATES: Written comments will be accepted until April 15, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Secretary, Federal Trade
Commission, Room H-159, Sixth and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20580. Comments about the Mirror Guides should be
identified as ``16 CFR Part 21--Comment.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessica D. Gray, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Boston Regional
Office, 101 Merrimac Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 02114-4719, (617)
424-5960.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission has determined, as part of
its oversight responsibilities, to review rules and guides
periodically. These reviews will seek information about the costs and
benefits of the Commission's rules and guides and their regulatory and
economic impact. The information obtained will assist the Commission in
identifying rules and guides that warrant modification or rescission.
A. Background
The Mirror Guides, promulgated by the Commission on June 30, 1962,
and amended on September 13, 1972 (16 CFR Part 118) (1972), and
February 27, 1979 (44 FR 11183 (1979)), give guidance about acceptable
and unacceptable claims made in advertising or promotional materials
used during the sale or distribution of mirrors. Specifically, these
Guides make it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for any industry
member in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution
of mirrors to use any advertisement or representation that is false or
has the tendency to mislead purchasers or prospective purchasers with
respect to the type, grade, quality, quantity, use, size, design,
material,
[[Page 10709]]
finish, strength, backing, silvering, thickness, composition, origin,
preparation, manufacture, value, or distribution of any mirror.
In addition, these Guides make it an unfair or deceptive act or
practice for any member of the industry to sell, offer for sale, or
distribute any mirror under any representation or circumstance having
the capacity to mislead or deceive purchasers or prospective purchasers
with regard to the type or kind of glass contained in any mirror or the
type of backing.
B. Issues for Comment
At this time, the Commission solicits written public comments on
the following questions:
(1) Is there a continuing need for the Mirror Guides?
(a) What benefits have these Guides provided to purchasers of the
products or services affected by them?
(b) Have these Guides imposed costs on purchasers?
(2) What changes, if any, should be made to these Guides to
increase their benefits to purchasers?
(a) How would these changes affect the costs that these Guides
impose on firms subject to their requirements?
(3) What significant burden or costs, including costs of
compliance, have these Guides imposed on firms subject to their
requirements?
(a) Have these Guides provided benefits to such firms?
(4) What changes, if any, should be made to these Guides to reduce
the burden or costs imposed on firms subject to their requirements?
(a) How would these changes affect the benefits provided by these
Guides?
(5) Do these Guides overlap or conflict with other federal, state,
or local laws or regulations?
(6) What changes, if any, have been made in the technology used to
manufacture the glass used in making mirrors that may address the
issues of whether mirrors may be advertised as being ``distortion
free'' or ``shatter proof?''
(7) Have efforts been made to standardize the technology used for
``backing'' mirrors?
(8) Since the Mirror Guides were issued, what effects, if any, have
changes in relevant technology or economic conditions had on them?
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-6255 Filed 3-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M
