[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 87 (Friday, May 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10938]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 6, 1994]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 303

 

Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products 
Identification Act

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 Rules and Regulations under the 
Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (the ``Textile Act''). The 
Commission is also requesting comments about the overall costs and 
benefits of the Rules 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 6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, room 
H-159, Sixth & Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580. 
Submissions should be marked ``Rules and Regulations under the Textile 
Act, 16 CFR part 303--Comment.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bret S. Smart, Program Advisor, Los Angeles Regional Office, Federal 
Trade Commission, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 13209, 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 revision.
    At this time, the Commission solicits written public comments 
concerning the Commission's Rules and Regulations under the Textile 
Act.
    The Textile Act (15 U.S.C. 70) requires marketers of covered 
textile products to mark each product with (1) the generic names and 
percentages by weight of the constituent fibers present in the textile 
product; (2) the name under which the manufacturer or other responsible 
company does business, or in lieu thereof, the registered 
identification number (RN) of such company; and (3) the name of the 
country where the textile product was processed or manufactured. 
Furthermore, the Textile Act contains advertising and recordkeeping 
provisions. Pursuant to section 7(c) of the Textile Act, ``[t]he 
Commission is authorized and directed to make such rules and 
regulations, including the establishment of generic names of 
manufactured fibers, under and in pursuance of the terms of this Act as 
may be necessary and proper for administration and enforcement.'' (15 
U.S.C. 70e(c).) These implementing rules and regulations are set forth 
at 16 CFR part 303.
    Currently, Rules 10, 21, 32, and 45 (16 CFR 303.10, 303.21, 303.32, 
and 303.45) include provisions where measurements are expressed 
exclusively in inch/pound units. Under Executive Order 12770 of July 
25, 1991 (56 FR 35801, July 29, 1991), and the Metric Conversion Act, 
as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (15 U.S.C. 
205b), all federal agencies are required to use the SI metric system of 
measurement in all procurements, grants, and other business-related 
activities (which includes rulemakings), except to the extent that such 
use is impractical or is likely to cause significant inefficiencies or 
loss of markets to United States firms. To comply with these 
requirements, should the Commission elect to retain Rules 10, 21, 32, 
and 45 after conducting this review, the wording of these provisions 
will be altered to include the metric equivalents in parentheses beside 
the measurements in inch/pound units.
    Rule 10(b) (16 CFR 303.10(b)) would be revised to read: ``Where 
drapery or upholstery fabrics are manufactured on hand-operated looms 
for a particular customer after the sale of such fabric has been 
consummated, and the amount of the order does not exceed 100 yards 
(91.44 m) of fabric, the required fiber content disclosure may be made 
by listing the fibers present in order of predominance by weight with 
any fiber or fibers required to be designated as ``other fiber'' or 
``other fibers'' appearing last, as for example:

Rayon
Wool
Acetate
Metallic
Other fibers''

    Rule 21(a)(1) (16 CFR 303.21(a)(1)) would be revised to read: ``If 
the samples, swatches, or specimens are less than two square inches 
(12.9 cm2) in area and the information otherwise required to 
appear on the label is clearly, conspicuously, and non-deceptively 
disclosed on accompanying promotional matter in accordance with the Act 
and regulations;''
    Rule 32 (16 CFR 303.32) would be revised to read: ``Any upholstered 
product, mattress, or cushion which contains stuffing which has been 
previously used as stuffing in any other upholstered product, mattress, 
or cushion shall have securely attached thereto a substantial tag or 
label, at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) by 3 inches (7.62 cm) in size, and 
statements thereon conspicuously stamped or printed in the English 
language and in plain type not less than \1/3\ inch (8.38 mm) high, 
indicating that the stuffing therein is composed in whole or in part of 
``reused stuffing,'' ``secondhand stuffing,'' ``previously used 
stuffing,'' or ``used stuffing.''
    Rule 45(a)(xv) (16 CFR 303.45(a)(xv)) would be revised to read: 
``Flags with heading or more than 216 square inches (13.9 dm2) in 
size;''
    These are technical, non-substantive amendments to Rules 10, 21, 
32, and 45 which merely provide metric equivalents to the measurements 
expressed in inch/pound units; they do not create any new requirements. 
Thus, under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553 et seq.), no 
formal rulemaking proceeding is necessary to implement these revisions.
    Accordingly, the Commission solicits public comments on the 
following questions:
    1. Is there a continuing need for the Rules and Regulations issued 
under the Textile Act?
    a. What benefits have the Rules provided to purchasers of the 
products or services affected by the Rules?
    b. Have the Rules imposed costs on purchasers?
    2. What changes, if any, should be made to the Rules to increase 
the benefits of the Rules to purchasers?
    a. How would these changes affect the costs the Rules impose on 
firms subject to their requirements?
    3. What significant burdens or costs, including costs of 
compliance, have the Rules imposed on firms subject to their 
requirements?
    a. Have the Rules provided benefits to such firms?
    4. What changes, if any, should be made to the Rules to reduce the 
burdens or costs imposed on firms subject to their requirements?
    a. How would these changes affect the benefits provided by the 
Rules?
    5. Do the Rules overlap or conflict with other federal, state, or 
local laws or regulations?
    6. Since the Rules were issued, what effects, if any, have changes 
in relevant technology or economic conditions had on the Rules?

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 70 et seq.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 303

    Advertising, Labeling, Recordkeeping, Textile fiber products.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 94-10938 Filed 5-5-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M