Request for Comments Concerning Guides for the Mirror Industry

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,

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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