[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9134]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 252

 

Request for Comments Concerning Guides for Labeling, Advertising, 
and Sale of Wigs and Other Hairpieces

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 Labeling, Advertising, and 
Sale of Wigs and Other Hairpieces (the ``Wig Guides''). The Commission 
is also requesting comments about the overall costs and benefits of the 
Wig 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 June 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Secretary, Federal Trade 
Commission, room H-159, Sixth and Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, 
DC 20580. Comments about the Wig Guides should be identified as ``16 
CFR Part 252--Comment.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ann M. Guler, Investigator, Federal Trade Commission, Los Angeles 
Regional Office, suite 13209, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 
90024, (310) 575-7890.

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 recision.
    At this time, the Commission solicits written public comments 
concerning the Commission's Guides for the Labeling, Advertising, and 
Sale of Wigs and Other Hairpieces (16 CFR part 252).
    The Wig Guides, like the other industry guides issued by the 
Commission, ``are administrative interpretations of laws administered 
by the Commission for the guidance of the public in conducting its 
affairs in conformity with legal requirements. They provide the basis 
for voluntary and simultaneous abandonment of unlawful practices by 
members of industry.'' 16 CFR 1.5. Conduct inconsistent with the guides 
may result in corrective action by the Commission under applicable 
statutory provisions. The Commission promulgates industry guides ``when 
it appears to the Commission that guidance as to the legal requirements 
applicable to particular practices would be beneficial in the public 
interest and would serve to bring about more widespread and equitable 
observance of laws administered by the Commission.'' 16 CFR 1.6.
    The Wig Guides concern representations and disclosures in the 
advertising and labeling of hairpieces for women and men, including 
wigs, falls, chignons, and toupees. Specifically, the Wig Guides 
proscribe misrepresentations concerning the composition, quality, 
durability, construction, weight, length, size, fit, color, set, 
ability to accept a set or be reset, style, ease of styling, 
maintenance, service, guarantee, origin, price, or any other feature of 
a wig or other hairpiece. The Wig Guides also delineate the kinds of 
disclosures that should be made in advertising and labeling relating to 
hair composition, foreign origin, and used products. Guidance as to the 
use of such terms as ``hair,'' ``natural hair,'' ``virgin'' hair, 
``handmade,'' and ``custom-made'' are also included in the Wig Guides.
    If the Commission elects to retain the Wig Guides after conducting 
this review, it intends to update two sections in conformance with 
statutory and policy changes that have occurred since the guides were 
promulgated in 1970. Section 252.4, relating to flammability, would be 
deleted from the Wig Guides because the U.S. Consumer Product Safety 
Commission is now responsible for enforcement of the Flammable Fabrics 
Act (15 U.S.C. 1191). The phrases ``capacity and tendency or effect of 
deceiving'' in Section 252.1 and ``capacity to deceive'' in Section 
252.10 would be changed to conform with the language regarding 
deception that is set forth in Cliffdale Associates, Inc., 103 F.T.C. 
110, 164-65 (1984) and subsequent cases.
    Accordingly, the Commission solicits public comments on the 
following questions:
    1. Is there a continuing need for the guides?
    a. What benefits have the guides provided to purchasers of the 
products or services affected by the guides?
    b. Have the guides imposed costs on purchasers?
    2. What changes, if any, should be made to the guides to increase 
the benefits of the guides to purchasers?
    a. How would these changes affect the costs the guides impose on 
firms subject to their requirements?
    3. What significant burdens or costs, including costs of adherence, 
have the guides imposed on firms subject to their requirements?
    a. Have the guides provided benefits to such firms?
    4. What changes, if any, should be made to the guides to reduce the 
burdens or costs imposed on firms subject to their requirements?
    a. How would these changes affect the benefits provided by the 
guides?
    5. Do the guides overlap or conflict with other federal, state, or 
local laws or regulations?
    6. Since the guides were issued, what effects, if any, have changes 
in relevant technology or economic conditions had on the guides?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 252

    Advertising, Labeling, Wigs, Hairpieces.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-9134 Filed 4-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M