[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 3 (Thursday, January 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 799-800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-247]
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
[File No. 002 3194]
The Black & Decker Corporation, et al.; 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 Comment 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 January 29, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to: FTC/Office of the Secretary,
Room 159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Kolish or Laura Koss, FTC/S-
4302, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20580. (202) 326-3042
or 326-2890.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 6(f) of the Federal
Trade Commission Act, 38 Stat. 721, 15 U.S.C. 46 and section 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 thirty (30) 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 December 28, 2000), on the World Wide Web, at http://www.ftc.gov/os/2000/12/index.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 comment. 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
section 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 an agreement, subject to
final approval, to a proposed consent order from respondents The Black
& Decker Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kwikset
Corporation.
[[Page 800]]
The proposed consent order has been placed on the public record for
thirty (30) days for reception of comments by interested persons.
Comments received during this period will become part of the public
record. After thirty (30) days, the Commission will again review the
agreement and the comments received and will decide whether it should
withdraw from the agreement and take other appropriate action or make
final the agreement's proposed order.
This matter concerns advertising, packaging, labeling, and
promotional practices related to the sale of Kwikset Corporation's
lockset products, including locksets, deadbolts, knobs, and handles.
The Commission's complaint charges that respondents misrepresented on
packaging and in advertising that certain Kwikset Corporation products
are all or virtually all made in the United States. In truth and in
fact, these products are actually made with significant foreign content
and/or processing.
The proposed consent order contains a provision that is designed to
remedy the charges and to prevent the respondents from engaging in
similar acts and practices in the future. Part I of the proposed order
prohibits Kwikset Corporation from misrepresenting the extent to which
any Kwikset lockset is made in the United States. The order defines
Kwikset lockset products as any product that is manufactured or sold by
Kwikset Corporation that is used to secure doors, including but not
limited to locksets, deadbolts, knobs, and handles. The proposed order
would allow Kwikset Corporation to represent that such products are
made in the United States as long as all, or virtually all, of the
components of the products are of U.S. origin, and all, or virtually
all, of the labor in manufacturing them is performed in the United
States.
The proposed order also prohibits Kwikset Corporation from
representing that its products are ``All American Made'' or ``All
American Made and Proud of it'' or otherwise entirely made in the
United States, unless such products are in fact 100% made in the United
States.
Part II of the proposed order requires respondents to maintain
materials relied upon in disseminating any representation covered by
the order. Part III of the proposed order requires Kwikset Corporation
to distribute copies of the order to certain company officials and
employees. Part IV of the proposed order requires the respondents to
notify the Commission of any change in the corporation that may affect
compliance obligations under the order. Part V of the proposed order
requires the respondents to file one or more compliance reports. Part
VI of the proposed order is a provision whereby the order, absent
certain circumstances, terminates twenty years from the date of
issuance.
The purpose of this analysis is to facilitate public comment on the
proposed consent order. If 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.
Benjamin I. Berman,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-247 Filed 1-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M