[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 105 (Thursday, June 1, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28554-28555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13361]
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 409
Extension of Time; Rule Concerning Incandescent Lamp (Light Bulb)
Industry
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Extension of time for filing public comments.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (the ``Commission''), as part of
a systematic review of all its current regulations and guides,
requested public comments on April 6, 1995 about the Rule Concerning
the Incandescent Lamp (Light Bulb) Industry (``Light Bulb Rule''), 60
FR 17491. The Commission solicited comments until June 6, 1995. In
response to a petition from an industry group, the Commission grants an
extension of the comment period.
DATES: Written comments will be accepted until August 7, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kent C. Howerton, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Sixth Street &
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20580, (202) 326-3013 (voice),
(202) 326-3259 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its periodic review of the
overall costs and benefits, as well as the overall regulatory and
economic impact, of all of its rules and guides, the Commission
published a notice on April 6, 1995 requesting comments until June 6,
1995 concerning the Light Bulb Rule, 16 CFR Part 409. The Commission
received a petition on May 9, 1995, from the Lamp Section of the
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (``NEMA''), a trade
association that represents light bulb manufacturers, requesting that
the Commission extend the comment period for at least 60 days.\1\
\1\ Petition for Extension of the Public Comment Period Filed by
the Lamp Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers
Association, May 9, 1995, submitted by Mark L. Perlis, Counsel to
NEMA Lamp Section, Dickstein, Shapiro & Morin, L.L.P., 2101 L Street
NW, Washington, DC 20037-1526. The petition and Mr. Perlis' cover
letter dated May 9, 1995 to Donald S. Clark, Secretary of the
Commission, have been placed on the Commission's public record of
this proceeding.
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NEMA requests the additional time to develop consensus industry
recommendations among its members regarding various differences between
the Light Bulb Rule and the new lamp labeling requirements of the Rule
Concerning Disclosures Regarding Energy Consumption and Water Use of
Certain Home Appliances and Other Products Required under the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act (``Appliance Labeling Rule''), 16 CFR Part
305. See Final rule, 59 FR 25176 (1994). NEMA believes that an
extension of the comment period is justified in light of further
amendments to the lamp labeling requirements of the Appliance Labeling
Rule that the Commission proposed on March 22, [[Page 28555]] 1995, 60
FR 15200 (1995), in response to a separate petition from NEMA.\2\
\2\ NEMA also notes that the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'')
has published ``interim final rules'' regarding test procedures for
incandescent light bulbs (and for other lamp products covered by the
Appliance Labeling Rule). See Interim final rule, 59 FR 49468
(1994). NEMA states that, given the interim final status of the DOE
testing rules, an extension of the comment period in the review of
the Light Bulb Rule ``would more likely enable the commentators to
base their comments and recommendations upon final Department of
Energy test procedure regulations.'' The Commission stated in the
Statement of Basis and Purpose for the lamp labeling amendments to
the Appliance Labeling Rule that it would consider testing performed
according to the test procedures mandated by DOE in its final
testing rules as meeting the reasonable basis standard required by
the Appliance Labeling Rule, 59 FR 25176, 25200 (1994). Therefore,
final action by DOE on its testing rules is not necessary for the
Commission to conduct the current review of the Light Bulb Rule.
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In light of overlapping labeling requirements of the Light Bulb
Rule and the Appliance Labeling Rule for incandescent light bulbs
(other than incandescent reflector bulbs) and the pending proposed
amendments to the labeling requirements for incandescent light bulbs
(including incandescent reflector bulbs) under the Appliance Labeling
Rule, the Commission has determined that an extension of the comment
period 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 the Light Bulb Rule,
the Commission grants an extension of the comment period to August 7,
1995.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 409
Advertising, Consumer protection, Energy conservation, Household
appliances, Labeling, Lamp products, Trade practices.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-13361 Filed 5-31-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M