[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