[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