[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 165 (Friday, August 23, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43500-43501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21418]
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 23
Extension of Time; Section 7 (Platinum) of the Guides for the
Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Extension of time for filing public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission'') requested
public comments on May 30, 1996, on proposed revisions to 23.7 of the
Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries (``the
Guides''), 61 FR 27224. Section 23.7 of the Guides addresses claims
made about platinum products. The Commission solicited comments until
August 12, 1996. In response to a request from an industry group, the
Commission grants an extension of the comment period.
DATES: Written comments will be accepted until September 30, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Secretary, Federal Trade
Commission, Room H-159, Sixth and Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20580. Comments about these proposed changes to the Guides should be
identified as `'Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter
Industry--16 CFR Part 23--Comment.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Constance M. Vecellio or Laura J. DeMartino, Attorneys, Federal Trade
Commission, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2966 or (202) 326-3030.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 30, 1996, 61 FR 27178, the Commission
announced revisions to its Guides for the Jewelry Industry, renamed
Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries, 16 CFR
Part 23.\1\ The Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter
Industries (``the Guides'') address claims made about precious metals,
diamonds, gemstones and pearl products. The Commission did not revise
section 23.7 of the Guides for the Jewelry Industry, which addresses
claims made about platinum products. Industry members had indicated the
need to simplify current Commission guidance regarding claims that a
product is composed of platinum and to bring this guidance into closure
accord
[[Page 43501]]
with international standards. The Commission concluded, however, that
additional comment would be helpful to resolve certain issues. In a
separate notice of May 30, 1996, 61 FR 27224, the Commission described
the comments concerning the marking of platinum products, submitted in
response to the prior FRN, and also discussed its proposed changes to
this section. The Commission solicited comment on this provision of the
Guides and the proposed changes, requesting comments until August 12,
1996.
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\1\ The Commission published a Federal Register notice
soliciting public comment on amendments to the Jewelry Guides,
including revisions to section 23.7 regarding platinum products. 57
FR 24996 (June 12, 1992). This Federal Register notice was published
in response to a petition proposing changes, submitted by the
Jewelers Vigilance Committee (``JVC'').
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On July 25, 1996, the Commission received a letter from the
Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America, Inc. (MJSA), an
industry trade association, requesting that the comment period be
extended for sixty days, until October 11, 1996.\2\ MJSA stated that
about eight interested platinum jewelry manufacturers met on July 21,
1996 but ``those attending the meeting thought it would be helpful to
survey a larger universe of platinum jewelry manufacturers than was
present'' at the meeting. Such a survey would require an extension of
the comment period.
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\2\ MJSA is represented by Sheldon London of London & Satagaj.
Mr. London's letter dated July 25, 1996 to Donald S. Clark,
Secretary of the Commission, has been placed on the Commission's
public record of this proceeding.
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The Commission has determined that an extension of the comment
period until September 30, 1996 is appropriate. Therefore, to allow all
interested persons the opportunity to supply the Commission with
written data, views and arguments concerning the Commission's review of
section 23.7 of the Guides, the Commission grants an extension of the
comment period to September 30, 1996.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 23
Advertising; Jewelry; Trade practices.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-21418 Filed 8-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M
