[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54328-54329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26033]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

[File No. 972-3209]


Castrol North America, Inc.; Analysis To Aid Public Comment

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Proposed consent agreement.

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SUMMARY: The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged 
violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or 
practices or unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to 
Aid Public Comments describes both the allegations in the draft 
complaint that accompanies the consent agreement and the terms of the 
consent order--embodied in the consent agreement--that would settle 
these allegations.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 6, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: FTC/Office of the Secretary, 
Room 159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: C. Lee Peeler or Michael Derschowitz, 
FTC/S-4002, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-
3090 or 326-3158.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 6(f) of the Federal 
Trade Commission Act, 38 Stat. 721, 15 U.S.C. 46 and Sec. 2.34 of the 
Commission's rules of practice (16 CFR 2.34), notice is hereby given 
that the above-captioned consent agreement containing a consent order 
to cease and desist, having been filed with and accepted, subject to 
final approval, by the Commission, has been placed on the public record 
for a period of sixty (60) days. The following Analysis to Aid Public 
Comment describes the terms of the consent agreement, and the 
allegations in the complaint. An electronic copy of the full text of 
the consent agreement package can be obtained from the FTC Home Page 
(for September 15, 1999), on the World Wide Web, at ``http://
www.ftc.gov/os/actions97.htm.'' A paper copy can be obtained from the 
FTC Public Reference Room, Room H-130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20580, either in person or by calling (202) 326-3627.
    Public comment is invited. Comments should be directed to: FTC/
Office of the Secretary, Room 159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, 
Washington, DC 20580. Two paper copies of each comment should be filed, 
and should be accompanied, if possible, by a 3\1/2\ inch diskette 
containing an electronic copy of the comments. Such comments or views 
will be considered by the Commission and will be available for 
inspection and copying at its principal office in accordance with 
Sec. 4.9(b)(6)(ii) of the Commission's rules of practice (16 CFR 
4.9(b)(6)(ii)).

Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment

    The Federal Trade Commission has accepted, subject to final 
approval, an agreement containing a consent order from respondent 
Castrol North America Inc. (``Castrol'').
    The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for 
sixty (60) days for reception of comments by interested persons. 
Comments received during this period will become part of the public 
record. After sixty (60) days, the Commission will again review the 
agreement and the comments received and will decide whether it should 
withdraw from the agreement or make final the agreement's proposed 
order.
    Castrol manufactures and sells automotive products, including fuel 
additive products added by consumers to a car's gas tank. This matter 
concerns allegedly deceptive advertising claims regarding the 
performance attributes of a fuel additive product, Castrol's Syntec 
Power System (``Castrol Syntec''). The Commission's proposed complaint 
alleges that Castrol made unsubstantiated claims that Castrol Syntec 
significantly improves engine power and acceleration for motor vehicles 
generally. The complaint also challenges as unsubstantiated the claim 
that Castrol Syntec is superior to other fuel system treatments in 
improving engine power and acceleration. Finally, the complaint 
challenges as false or misleading the claims the laboratory tests prove 
that Castrol Syntec (a) significantly improves engine power and 
acceleration, and (b) is superior to other fuel system treatments in 
improving engine power and acceleration.
    The proposed consent order contains provisions designed to prevent 
respondent from engaging in similar acts and practices in the future.
    Part I of the proposed order prohibits respondent claiming that 
Castrol Syntec or any other fuel oil additive improves power or 
acceleration, or is superior to other products in this regard, unless 
the claim is substantiated by competent and reliable scientific 
evidence. Part II of the proposed order requires Castrol to have 
substantiation for any representation concerning the performance, 
benefits, efficacy, attributes of use of Castrol Syntec or any other 
fuel additive product.
    Part III of the proposed order prohibits respondent from 
misrepresenting the existence, contents, validity, results, 
conclusions, or interpretations of any test, study or research done on 
any fuel additive product.
    Part IV of the proposed order requires respondent to maintain 
copies of all materials relied upon in making any representation 
covered by the order.
    Part V of the proposed order requires respondent to distribute 
copies of the order to its operating divisions and to

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various officers, agents and employees of respondent.
    Part VI of the proposed order requires respondent to notify the 
Commission of any changes in corporate structure that might affect 
compliance with the order.
    Part VII of the proposed order requires respondent to file with the 
Commission one or more reports detailing compliance with the order.
    Part VIII of the proposed order is a ``sunset'' provision, 
dictating that the order will terminate twenty years from the date it 
is issued or twenty years after a complaint is filed in federal court, 
by either the United States or the FTC, alleging any violation of the 
order.
    The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the 
proposed order. It is not intended to constitute an official 
interpretation of the agreement and proposed order or to modify in any 
way their terms.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-26033 Filed 10-05-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M