[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 73 (Friday, April 14, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20108-20109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9266]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 423


Request for Comments Concerning Trade Regulation Rule on Care 
Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods

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 a proposed exemption to its Trade 
Regulation Rule on Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain 
Piece Goods (``the Care Labeling Rule'' or ``the Rule''). The proposed 
exemption would permit the Esprit de Corp company to distribute three 
specific styles of apron camisoles without attaching permanent care 
labels to the garments, as otherwise required by the Care Labeling 
Rule. Esprit de Corp petitioned the Commission for the exemption, and 
submitted samples of the camisoles for consideration. If the petition 
is granted, care instructions for the camisoles still must be given on 
a hang tag, or on the package, or in some other conspicuous place, so 
that consumers will be able to see the care information before buying 
the product. All interested persons are hereby given notice of the 
opportunity to submit written data, views and arguments concerning this 
proposal.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until May 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: Secretary, Federal Trade 
Commission, Room H-159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 
20580. Comments about this exemption to the Care Labeling Rule

[[Page 20109]]

should be identified as ``petition for exemption, 16 CFR part 423--
Comment.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance M. Vecellio, Attorney, 
Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580, (202) 326-2966.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Rule was promulgated by the Commission 
on December 16, 1971, 36 FR 23883 (1971), and amended on May 20, 1983, 
48 FR 22733 (1983). The Rule makes it an unfair or deceptive act or 
practice for manufacturers and importers of textile wearing apparel and 
certain piece goods to sell these items without attaching care labels 
stating ``what regular care is needed for the ordinary use of the 
product.'' (16 CFR 423.6(a) and (b)) The Rule defines a care label as a 
``permanent label or tag * * * that is attached or affixed in such a 
manner that it will not become separated from the product * * *'' (16 
CFR 423.1(a))
    Section 423.8(b) of the Rule states that manufacturers or importers 
can ask for an exemption from the requirement of attaching a permanent 
care label for any textile wearing apparel product or product line if 
the label would harm the appearance or usefulness of the product. 
Section 423.8(c) of the Rule states that if an item is exempt from care 
labeling under subparagraph (b) of section 423.8, the consumers still 
must be given the required care information for the product, but the 
care information can be provided on a hang tag, on the package, or in 
some other conspicuous place, so that consumers will be able to see the 
care information before buying the product. The petitioner claims that 
the appearance and usefulness of the camisoles would be damaged by 
attaching permanent care labels.

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 423

    Care labeling of textile wearing apparel and certain piece goods; 
Trade Practices.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41-58.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-9266 Filed 4-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M