82_FR_43870 82 FR 43690 - Wool Products Labeling; Fur Products Labeling; Textile Fiber Products Identification

82 FR 43690 - Wool Products Labeling; Fur Products Labeling; Textile Fiber Products Identification

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 180 (September 19, 2017)

Page Range43690-43692
FR Document2017-19868

The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'' or ``FTC'') amends the Rules and Regulations Under the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 (``Wool Rules''), the Rules and Regulations Under Fur Products Labeling Act (``Fur Rules''), and the Rules and Regulations Under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (``Textile Rules'') (collectively, ``Rules'') to require the public to submit any requests to obtain, update, or cancel registered identification numbers via the FTC's Web site.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43690-43692]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19868]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Parts 300, 301, and 303

RIN 3084-AB29, 3084-AB27, 3084-AB30


Wool Products Labeling; Fur Products Labeling; Textile Fiber 
Products Identification

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Final rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'' or ``FTC'') 
amends the Rules and Regulations Under the Wool Products Labeling Act 
of 1939 (``Wool Rules''), the Rules and Regulations Under Fur Products 
Labeling Act (``Fur Rules''), and the Rules and Regulations Under the 
Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (``Textile Rules'') 
(collectively, ``Rules'') to require the public to submit any requests 
to obtain, update, or cancel registered identification numbers via the 
FTC's Web site.

DATES: The amended Rules are effective October 19, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua S. Millard, (202) 326-2454, 
Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The Commission is revising the Fur, Textile, and Wool Rules to 
require electronic filing of requests to obtain, update, or cancel 
registered identification numbers used on fur, textile, and wool 
product labels through the FTC's Web site, unless the Commission or its 
designee instructs otherwise as specified below. The revisions 
facilitate the use of the Commission's web-based registered 
identification number (``RN'') system, which will streamline the 
application and update process for participating businesses, and 
greatly increase the efficiency with which the FTC delivers RN services 
to the public. This document describes the background of the RN program 
and the grounds for revising the relevant parts of the Fur, Textile, 
and Wool Rules, and sets forth the amended Rules provisions.

II. Background

    Federal labeling requirements mandate that most fur, textile, and 
wool products have a label identifying the manufacturer or other 
business responsible for marketing or handling the item.\1\ To comply 
with this mandate, a person or firm residing in the United States that 
imports, manufactures, markets, distributes, or otherwise handles fur, 
textile, or wool products may apply for an RN to display on product 
labels in lieu of the person or firm's full name.\2\ RNs are not 
mandatory, but they occupy less space on a label and help buyers 
identify the person or firm responsible for a product. The public can 
find contact information for each RN registrant by searching the FTC's 
public Web page dedicated to the RN program, https://rn.ftc.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 15 U.S.C. 68b(a)(2)(C) (Wool Products Labeling Act of 
1939) (``Wool Act''); 15 U.S.C. 69b(2)(E) (Fur Products Labeling 
Act) (``Fur Act''); 15 U.S.C. 70b(b)(3) (Textile Fiber Products 
Identification Act) (``Textile Act''); 16 CFR part 300 (Wool Rules); 
16 CFR part 301 (Fur Rules); 16 CFR part 303 (Textile Rules). The 
FTC's public Web site offers a detailed description of products that 
are subject to, or exempt from, these labeling requirements. See 
Federal Trade Commission, Threading Your Way Through the Labeling 
Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts, https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/threading-your-way-through-labeling-requirements-under-textile.
    \2\ See 16 CFR 300.4 (Wool Rules provision); 16 CFR 301.26 (Fur 
Rules provision); 16 CFR 303.30 (Textile Rules provision).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For over 50 years, to obtain or update an RN, one had to complete 
and submit a paper form published in the Federal Register, or in more 
recent years, transmit the information requested on that form by 
electronic means.\3\ The FTC receives thousands of new RN applications 
every year in various formats, thus complicating and slowing the review 
process.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See 17 FR 6075, 6077 (July 8, 1952) (Fur Rule provision 16 
CFR 301.26); 24 FR 4480, 4484 (June 2, 1959) (Textile Rule provision 
16 CFR 303.20); 29 FR 6622 (May 21, 1964) (Wool Rule provision 16 
CFR 300.4).
    \4\ In recent years, the FTC has issued approximately 3,000 RNs 
per year.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 43691]]

    Recently, the FTC upgraded its RN Web page at https://rn.ftc.gov to 
make it easier for the public to obtain, update, and cancel RNs. As 
part of this initiative, and to further improve and streamline its 
handling of RN requests, the FTC is retiring the paper forms previously 
published in the Federal Register and discontinuing the handling of RN 
requests submitted by mail, hand delivery, or facsimile.
    The FTC's upgraded Web site allows the public to create a password-
protected user account to obtain or update an RN without requiring more 
company information than before. To process a new RN application, the 
Web site asks the applicant in pertinent part to identify its legal 
name, the name under which it does business, the business' street 
address, the type of business it conducts (e.g., manufacturing or 
importing), the product line(s) it handles that are subject to the Fur, 
Textile, or Wool Acts, and additional contact information (e.g., phone 
number and email address). The upgraded Web site validates data as 
applicants enter it, and can immediately advise an applicant in 
numerous instances if the data is erroneous (e.g., a truncated phone 
number) or does not appear to meet the requirements for issuance of an 
RN (e.g., the applicant does not provide a street address in the United 
States). Users can also visit the Web site and login to request the 
cancellation of their RNs. Because the information requested to process 
RN requests has not changed, the FTC is not changing the requirements 
for RN requests, only specifying the method by which requests must be 
submitted.
    The amended Rules provide that requests made by means other than 
the FTC's Web site will not be accepted unless otherwise indicated by 
the Commission or its designee. This provision affords the Commission 
or its designee the discretion to act on requests submitted by other 
means when appropriate (e.g., if the FTC's Web site is temporarily 
unavailable). At this time, the Commission's designee is the Associate 
Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection's Division of 
Enforcement.

III. Procedural Requirements

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act, notice and comment 
requirements do not apply ``to interpretive rules, general statements 
of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice.'' 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(A). The final Rules do not change the substantive 
responsibilities of any entity under the Rules. The revisions merely 
modify the procedural mechanism for submitting requests relating to 
RNs. Accordingly, the Commission finds that advance public notice and 
comment is unnecessary. For this reason, the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA'') also do not apply.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ A regulatory flexibility analysis under the RFA is required 
only when an agency must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for 
comment. See 5 U.S.C. 603.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The amendments to the Rules do not constitute a new ``collection of 
information'' under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521 
(``PRA''). The Rules contain various existing information collection 
requirements for which the Commission has obtained clearance under the 
PRA from the Office of Management and Budget. Because these amendments 
do not trigger additional recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting 
requirements, there is no incremental burden under the PRA. See 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

List of Subjects

16 CFR Part 300

    Labeling, Trade practices, Wool.

16 CFR Part 301

    Fur, Labeling, Trade practices.

16 CFR Part 303

    Labeling, Textiles, Trade practices.

Final Rule Revisions

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Trade 
Commission amends Title 16, Chapter I, Subchapter C of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, parts 300, 301, and 303 as follows:

PART 300--RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE WOOL PRODUCTS LABELING 
ACT OF 1939

0
1. The authority citation for part 300 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 68-68j.


0
2. In Sec.  300.4, revise paragraphs (c) and (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  300.4   Registered identification numbers.

* * * * *
    (c) Registered identification numbers shall be used only by the 
person or firm to whom they are issued, and such numbers are not 
transferable or assignable. Registered identification numbers shall be 
subject to cancellation whenever any such number was procured or has 
been used improperly or contrary to the requirements of the Acts 
administered by the Federal Trade Commission, and regulations in this 
part, or when otherwise deemed necessary in the public interest. 
Registered identification numbers shall be subject to cancellation if 
the Commission fails to receive prompt notification of any change in 
name, business address, or legal business status of a person or firm to 
whom a registered identification number has been assigned, by 
application duly executed in the form and manner set out in paragraph 
(e) of this section, reflecting the current name, business address, and 
legal business status of the person or firm.
* * * * *
    (e) Requests for a registered identification number, to update 
information pertaining to an existing number, or to cancel an existing 
number shall be made through the Commission's Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov. Unless otherwise directed by the Commission or its 
designee, requests made by other means (including but not limited to 
email) will not be accepted and approved.

PART 301--RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER FUR PRODUCTS LABELING ACT

0
3. The authority citation for part 301 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  15 U.S.C. 69 et seq.


0
4. In Sec.  301.26, revise paragraphs (a), (b)(2), and (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  301.26   Registered identification numbers.

    (a) Registered numbers for use as the required identification in 
lieu of the name on fur product labels as provided in section 4(2)(E) 
of the Act will be issued by the Commission to qualified persons 
residing in the United States upon receipt of an application duly 
executed on the Commission's Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov or by such 
means as the Commission or its designee may direct.
    (b) * * *
    (2) Registered identification numbers shall be subject to 
cancellation if the Federal Trade Commission fails to receive prompt 
notification of any change in name, business address, or legal business 
status of a person or firm to whom a registered identification number 
has been assigned, by application duly executed in the form and manner 
set out in paragraph (d) of this section, reflecting the current name, 
business address, and legal business status of the person or firm.
* * * * *

[[Page 43692]]

    (d) Requests for a registered identification number, to update 
information pertaining to an existing number, or to cancel an existing 
number shall be made through the Commission's Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov. Unless otherwise directed by the Commission or its 
designee, requests made by other means (including but not limited to 
email) will not be accepted and approved.

PART 303--RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER THE TEXTILE FIBER PRODUCTS 
IDENTIFICATION ACT

0
5. The authority citation for part 303 continues to read as follows:

     Authority:  15 U.S.C. 70 et seq.


0
 6. Revise Sec.  303.20 to read as follows:


Sec.  303.20   Registered identification numbers.

    (a) Registered numbers for use as the required identification in 
lieu of the name on textile fiber product labels, as provided in 
section 4(b)(3) of the Act, will be issued by the Commission to 
qualified persons residing in the United States upon receipt of an 
application duly executed on the Commission's Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov or by such means as the Commission or its designee may 
direct.
    (b)(1) Registered identification numbers shall be used only by the 
person or concern to whom they are issued, and such numbers are not 
transferable or assignable.
    (2) Registered identification numbers shall be subject to 
cancellation whenever any such number was procured or has been used 
improperly or contrary to the requirements of the Acts administered by 
the Federal Trade Commission, and regulations promulgated thereunder, 
or when otherwise deemed necessary in the public interest.
    (3) Registered identification numbers shall be subject to 
cancellation if the Commission fails to receive prompt notification of 
any change in name, business address, or legal business status of a 
person or firm to whom a registered identification number has been 
assigned, by application duly executed on the Commission's Web site at 
https://rn.ftc.gov or by such means as the Commission or its designee 
may direct.
    (c) Registered identification numbers assigned under this section 
may be used on labels required in labeling products subject to the 
provisions of the Wool Products Labeling Act and Fur Products Labeling 
Act, and numbers previously assigned by the Commission under such Acts 
may be used as and for the required name in labeling under this Act. 
When so used by the person or firm to whom assigned, the use of the 
numbers shall be construed as identifying and binding the applicant as 
fully and in all respects as though assigned under the specific Act for 
which it is used.
    (d) Requests for a registered identification number, to update 
information pertaining to an existing number, or to cancel an existing 
number shall be made through the Commission's Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov. Unless otherwise directed by the Commission or its 
designee, requests made by other means (including but not limited to 
email) will not be accepted and approved.

By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-19868 Filed 9-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6750-01-P



                                                  43690            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                     (i) That the fuel economy or driving                 configurations simulated by the non-EPA test          the FTC’s Web site, unless the
                                                  range information is based on a non-                    that are different from those used in the EPA         Commission or its designee instructs
                                                  EPA test;                                               test.                                                 otherwise as specified below. The
                                                     (ii) The source of the non-EPA test;                    Example 2: An advertisement states: ‘‘The          revisions facilitate the use of the
                                                     (iii) The EPA fuel economy estimates                 XZY electric car has a driving range of 110
                                                                                                          miles per charge in summer conditions
                                                                                                                                                                Commission’s web-based registered
                                                  or EPA driving range estimates for the                                                                        identification number (‘‘RN’’) system,
                                                                                                          according to our expert’s test.’’ It provides no
                                                  vehicle; and                                            additional information regarding this driving         which will streamline the application
                                                     (iv) All driving conditions or vehicle               range claim. This advertisement likely                and update process for participating
                                                  configurations simulated by the non-                    conveys that this 110-mile driving range              businesses, and greatly increase the
                                                  EPA test that are different from those                  figure is comparable to an EPA driving range          efficiency with which the FTC delivers
                                                  used in the EPA test. Such conditions                   estimate for the vehicle. The advertisement is        RN services to the public. This
                                                  and variables may include, but are not                  deceptive because it does not clearly state           document describes the background of
                                                  limited to, road or dynamometer test,                   that the test is a non-EPA test; it does not          the RN program and the grounds for
                                                  average speed, range of speed, hot or                   provide the EPA estimated driving range; and          revising the relevant parts of the Fur,
                                                  cold start, temperature, and design or                  it does not explain how conditions referred
                                                                                                          to in the advertisement differed from those
                                                                                                                                                                Textile, and Wool Rules, and sets forth
                                                  equipment differences.                                  under the EPA tests. Without this                     the amended Rules provisions.
                                                     (2) Disclosure format. The                           information, consumers are likely to confuse
                                                  Commission regards the following as                                                                           II. Background
                                                                                                          the claims with range estimates derived from
                                                  constituting ‘‘substantially more                       the official EPA test procedures.                        Federal labeling requirements
                                                  prominence’’:                                                                                                 mandate that most fur, textile, and wool
                                                                                                            By direction of the Commission.
                                                     (i) For visual disclosures on television.                                                                  products have a label identifying the
                                                  If the fuel economy claims appear only                  Donald S. Clark,                                      manufacturer or other business
                                                  in the visual portion, the EPA figures                  Secretary.                                            responsible for marketing or handling
                                                  should appear in numbers twice as large                 [FR Doc. 2017–19869 Filed 9–18–17; 8:45 am]           the item.1 To comply with this mandate,
                                                  as those used for any other estimate, and               BILLING CODE 6750–01–P                                a person or firm residing in the United
                                                  should remain on the screen at least as                                                                       States that imports, manufactures,
                                                  long as any other estimate. Each EPA                                                                          markets, distributes, or otherwise
                                                  figure should be broadcast against a                    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION                              handles fur, textile, or wool products
                                                  solid color background that contrasts                                                                         may apply for an RN to display on
                                                  easily with the color used for the                      16 CFR Parts 300, 301, and 303                        product labels in lieu of the person or
                                                  numbers when viewed on both color                       RIN 3084–AB29, 3084–AB27, 3084–AB30                   firm’s full name.2 RNs are not
                                                  and black and white television.                                                                               mandatory, but they occupy less space
                                                     (ii) For audio disclosures. For radio                Wool Products Labeling; Fur Products                  on a label and help buyers identify the
                                                  and television advertisements in which                  Labeling; Textile Fiber Products                      person or firm responsible for a product.
                                                  any other estimate is used only in the                  Identification                                        The public can find contact information
                                                  audio, equal prominence should be                                                                             for each RN registrant by searching the
                                                                                                          AGENCY:    Federal Trade Commission.
                                                  given to the EPA figures. The                                                                                 FTC’s public Web page dedicated to the
                                                  Commission will regard the following as                 ACTION:   Final rules.                                RN program, https://rn.ftc.gov.
                                                  constituting equal prominence: The EPA                                                                           For over 50 years, to obtain or update
                                                                                                          SUMMARY:    The Federal Trade
                                                  estimated city and/or highway MPG                                                                             an RN, one had to complete and submit
                                                                                                          Commission (‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘FTC’’)
                                                  should be stated, either before or after                                                                      a paper form published in the Federal
                                                                                                          amends the Rules and Regulations
                                                  each disclosure of such other estimate,                                                                       Register, or in more recent years,
                                                                                                          Under the Wool Products Labeling Act
                                                  at least as audibly as such other                                                                             transmit the information requested on
                                                                                                          of 1939 (‘‘Wool Rules’’), the Rules and
                                                  estimate.                                                                                                     that form by electronic means.3 The FTC
                                                                                                          Regulations Under Fur Products
                                                     (iii) For print and Internet disclosures.                                                                  receives thousands of new RN
                                                                                                          Labeling Act (‘‘Fur Rules’’), and the
                                                  The EPA figures should appear in                                                                              applications every year in various
                                                                                                          Rules and Regulations Under the Textile               formats, thus complicating and slowing
                                                  clearly legible type at least twice as                  Fiber Products Identification Act
                                                  large as that used for any other estimate.                                                                    the review process.4
                                                                                                          (‘‘Textile Rules’’) (collectively, ‘‘Rules’’)
                                                  The EPA figures should appear against                   to require the public to submit any                      1 See 15 U.S.C. 68b(a)(2)(C) (Wool Products
                                                  a solid color, and contrasting                          requests to obtain, update, or cancel                 Labeling Act of 1939) (‘‘Wool Act’’); 15 U.S.C.
                                                  background. They may not appear in a                    registered identification numbers via the             69b(2)(E) (Fur Products Labeling Act) (‘‘Fur Act’’);
                                                  footnote unless all references to fuel                  FTC’s Web site.                                       15 U.S.C. 70b(b)(3) (Textile Fiber Products
                                                  economy appear in a footnote.                                                                                 Identification Act) (‘‘Textile Act’’); 16 CFR part 300
                                                                                                          DATES: The amended Rules are effective                (Wool Rules); 16 CFR part 301 (Fur Rules); 16 CFR
                                                     Example 1: An Internet advertisement                 October 19, 2017.                                     part 303 (Textile Rules). The FTC’s public Web site
                                                  states: ‘‘Independent driving experts took the                                                                offers a detailed description of products that are
                                                                                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      subject to, or exempt from, these labeling
                                                  QXT car for a weekend spin and managed to
                                                  get 55 miles-per-gallon under a variety of              Joshua S. Millard, (202) 326–2454,                    requirements. See Federal Trade Commission,
                                                                                                          Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal                Threading Your Way Through the Labeling
                                                  driving conditions.’’ It does not disclose the                                                                Requirements Under the Textile and Wool Acts,
                                                  actual EPA fuel economy estimates, nor does             Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania                    https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/
                                                  it explain how conditions during the                    Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20580.                       guidance/threading-your-way-through-labeling-
                                                  ‘‘weekend spin’’ differed from those under              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            requirements-under-textile.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES




                                                  the EPA tests. This advertisement likely                                                                         2 See 16 CFR 300.4 (Wool Rules provision); 16

                                                  conveys that the 55 MPG figure is the same              I. Introduction                                       CFR 301.26 (Fur Rules provision); 16 CFR 303.30
                                                  or comparable to an EPA fuel economy                                                                          (Textile Rules provision).
                                                                                                            The Commission is revising the Fur,                    3 See 17 FR 6075, 6077 (July 8, 1952) (Fur Rule
                                                  estimate for the vehicle. This claim is
                                                  deceptive because it fails to disclose that fuel        Textile, and Wool Rules to require                    provision 16 CFR 301.26); 24 FR 4480, 4484 (June
                                                                                                          electronic filing of requests to obtain,              2, 1959) (Textile Rule provision 16 CFR 303.20); 29
                                                  economy information is based on a non-EPA                                                                     FR 6622 (May 21, 1964) (Wool Rule provision 16
                                                  test, the source of the non-EPA test, the EPA           update, or cancel registered                          CFR 300.4).
                                                  fuel economy estimates for the vehicle, and             identification numbers used on fur,                      4 In recent years, the FTC has issued

                                                  all driving conditions or vehicle                       textile, and wool product labels through              approximately 3,000 RNs per year.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:10 Sep 18, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00024   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\19SER1.SGM   19SER1


                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations                                           43691

                                                     Recently, the FTC upgraded its RN                    requests relating to RNs. Accordingly,                 Commission, and regulations in this
                                                  Web page at https://rn.ftc.gov to make it               the Commission finds that advance                      part, or when otherwise deemed
                                                  easier for the public to obtain, update,                public notice and comment is                           necessary in the public interest.
                                                  and cancel RNs. As part of this                         unnecessary. For this reason, the                      Registered identification numbers shall
                                                  initiative, and to further improve and                  requirements of the Regulatory                         be subject to cancellation if the
                                                  streamline its handling of RN requests,                 Flexibility Act (‘‘RFA’’) also do not                  Commission fails to receive prompt
                                                  the FTC is retiring the paper forms                     apply.5                                                notification of any change in name,
                                                  previously published in the Federal                                                                            business address, or legal business
                                                  Register and discontinuing the handling                 IV. Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                                                                                                                                 status of a person or firm to whom a
                                                  of RN requests submitted by mail, hand                     The amendments to the Rules do not                  registered identification number has
                                                  delivery, or facsimile.                                 constitute a new ‘‘collection of                       been assigned, by application duly
                                                     The FTC’s upgraded Web site allows                   information’’ under the Paperwork                      executed in the form and manner set out
                                                  the public to create a password-                        Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521                     in paragraph (e) of this section,
                                                  protected user account to obtain or                     (‘‘PRA’’). The Rules contain various                   reflecting the current name, business
                                                  update an RN without requiring more                     existing information collection                        address, and legal business status of the
                                                  company information than before. To                     requirements for which the Commission                  person or firm.
                                                  process a new RN application, the Web                   has obtained clearance under the PRA                   *      *    *     *     *
                                                  site asks the applicant in pertinent part               from the Office of Management and
                                                  to identify its legal name, the name                                                                             (e) Requests for a registered
                                                                                                          Budget. Because these amendments do
                                                  under which it does business, the                                                                              identification number, to update
                                                                                                          not trigger additional recordkeeping,
                                                  business’ street address, the type of                                                                          information pertaining to an existing
                                                                                                          disclosure, or reporting requirements,
                                                  business it conducts (e.g.,                                                                                    number, or to cancel an existing number
                                                                                                          there is no incremental burden under
                                                  manufacturing or importing), the                                                                               shall be made through the Commission’s
                                                                                                          the PRA. See 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
                                                  product line(s) it handles that are                                                                            Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov. Unless
                                                  subject to the Fur, Textile, or Wool Acts,              List of Subjects                                       otherwise directed by the Commission
                                                  and additional contact information (e.g.,                                                                      or its designee, requests made by other
                                                                                                          16 CFR Part 300
                                                  phone number and email address). The                                                                           means (including but not limited to
                                                  upgraded Web site validates data as                         Labeling, Trade practices, Wool.                   email) will not be accepted and
                                                  applicants enter it, and can immediately                16 CFR Part 301                                        approved.
                                                  advise an applicant in numerous
                                                                                                              Fur, Labeling, Trade practices.                    PART 301—RULES AND
                                                  instances if the data is erroneous (e.g.,
                                                                                                                                                                 REGULATIONS UNDER FUR
                                                  a truncated phone number) or does not                   16 CFR Part 303
                                                                                                                                                                 PRODUCTS LABELING ACT
                                                  appear to meet the requirements for                         Labeling, Textiles, Trade practices.
                                                  issuance of an RN (e.g., the applicant
                                                                                                          Final Rule Revisions                                   ■ 3. The authority citation for part 301
                                                  does not provide a street address in the
                                                                                                                                                                 continues to read as follows:
                                                  United States). Users can also visit the                  For the reasons set forth in the
                                                  Web site and login to request the                                                                                  Authority: 15 U.S.C. 69 et seq.
                                                                                                          preamble, the Federal Trade
                                                  cancellation of their RNs. Because the                  Commission amends Title 16, Chapter I,                 ■ 4. In § 301.26, revise paragraphs (a),
                                                  information requested to process RN                     Subchapter C of the Code of Federal                    (b)(2), and (d) to read as follows:
                                                  requests has not changed, the FTC is not                Regulations, parts 300, 301, and 303 as
                                                  changing the requirements for RN                        follows:                                               § 301.26 Registered identification
                                                  requests, only specifying the method by                                                                        numbers.
                                                  which requests must be submitted.                       PART 300—RULES AND                                        (a) Registered numbers for use as the
                                                     The amended Rules provide that                       REGULATIONS UNDER THE WOOL                             required identification in lieu of the
                                                  requests made by means other than the                   PRODUCTS LABELING ACT OF 1939                          name on fur product labels as provided
                                                  FTC’s Web site will not be accepted                                                                            in section 4(2)(E) of the Act will be
                                                  unless otherwise indicated by the                       ■ 1. The authority citation for part 300               issued by the Commission to qualified
                                                  Commission or its designee. This                        continues to read as follows:                          persons residing in the United States
                                                  provision affords the Commission or its                     Authority: 15 U.S.C. 68–68j.                       upon receipt of an application duly
                                                  designee the discretion to act on                                                                              executed on the Commission’s Web site
                                                  requests submitted by other means                       ■ 2. In § 300.4, revise paragraphs (c) and
                                                                                                          (e) to read as follows:                                at https://rn.ftc.gov or by such means as
                                                  when appropriate (e.g., if the FTC’s Web                                                                       the Commission or its designee may
                                                  site is temporarily unavailable). At this               § 300.4   Registered identification numbers.           direct.
                                                  time, the Commission’s designee is the
                                                                                                          *     *     *    *     *                                  (b) * * *
                                                  Associate Director of the Bureau of
                                                                                                            (c) Registered identification numbers                   (2) Registered identification numbers
                                                  Consumer Protection’s Division of
                                                                                                          shall be used only by the person or firm               shall be subject to cancellation if the
                                                  Enforcement.
                                                                                                          to whom they are issued, and such                      Federal Trade Commission fails to
                                                  III. Procedural Requirements                            numbers are not transferable or                        receive prompt notification of any
                                                     Under the Administrative Procedure                   assignable. Registered identification                  change in name, business address, or
                                                  Act, notice and comment requirements                    numbers shall be subject to cancellation               legal business status of a person or firm
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES




                                                  do not apply ‘‘to interpretive rules,                   whenever any such number was                           to whom a registered identification
                                                  general statements of policy, or rules of               procured or has been used improperly                   number has been assigned, by
                                                  agency organization, procedure, or                      or contrary to the requirements of the                 application duly executed in the form
                                                  practice.’’ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). The final               Acts administered by the Federal Trade                 and manner set out in paragraph (d) of
                                                  Rules do not change the substantive                                                                            this section, reflecting the current name,
                                                                                                             5 A regulatory flexibility analysis under the RFA
                                                  responsibilities of any entity under the                                                                       business address, and legal business
                                                                                                          is required only when an agency must publish a
                                                  Rules. The revisions merely modify the                  notice of proposed rulemaking for comment. See 5
                                                                                                                                                                 status of the person or firm.
                                                  procedural mechanism for submitting                     U.S.C. 603.                                            *      *     *     *    *


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:10 Sep 18, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00025   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\19SER1.SGM    19SER1


                                                  43692            Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 180 / Tuesday, September 19, 2017 / Rules and Regulations

                                                    (d) Requests for a registered                         Acts may be used as and for the                       property described in CBP Dec. 07–77 is
                                                  identification number, to update                        required name in labeling under this                  revised in this document to reflect the
                                                  information pertaining to an existing                   Act. When so used by the person or firm               addition of ethnological materials to
                                                  number, or to cancel an existing number                 to whom assigned, the use of the                      include manuscripts dating between the
                                                  shall be made through the Commission’s                  numbers shall be construed as                         twelfth and twentieth centuries in
                                                  Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov. Unless                  identifying and binding the applicant as              paper. The import restrictions imposed
                                                  otherwise directed by the Commission                    fully and in all respects as though                   on the archaeological and ethnological
                                                  or its designee, requests made by other                 assigned under the specific Act for                   materials from Mali will be in effect for
                                                  means (including but not limited to                     which it is used.                                     a five-year period, and the CBP
                                                  email) will not be accepted and                           (d) Requests for a registered                       regulations are being amended
                                                  approved.                                               identification number, to update                      accordingly to reflect this extension
                                                                                                          information pertaining to an existing                 through September 19, 2022. These
                                                  PART 303—RULES AND                                      number, or to cancel an existing number               restrictions are being imposed pursuant
                                                  REGULATIONS UNDER THE TEXTILE                           shall be made through the Commission’s                to determinations of the United States
                                                  FIBER PRODUCTS IDENTIFICATION                           Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov. Unless                Department of State made under the
                                                  ACT                                                     otherwise directed by the Commission                  terms of the Convention on Cultural
                                                  ■ 5. The authority citation for part 303                or its designee, requests made by other               Property Implementation Act, which
                                                  continues to read as follows:                           means (including but not limited to                   implements the 1970 United Nations
                                                                                                          email) will not be accepted and                       Educational, Scientific and Cultural
                                                      Authority: 15 U.S.C. 70 et seq.                     approved.                                             Organization (UNESCO) Convention on
                                                  ■   6. Revise § 303.20 to read as follows:              By direction of the Commission.                       the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing
                                                                                                          Donald S. Clark,
                                                                                                                                                                the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of
                                                  § 303.20 Registered identification
                                                  numbers.
                                                                                                                                                                Ownership of Cultural Property.
                                                                                                          Secretary.
                                                                                                                                                                DATES: Effective September 19, 2017.
                                                     (a) Registered numbers for use as the                [FR Doc. 2017–19868 Filed 9–18–17; 8:45 am]
                                                  required identification in lieu of the                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 6750–01–P
                                                  name on textile fiber product labels, as                                                                      regulatory aspects, Lisa L. Burley, Chief,
                                                  provided in section 4(b)(3) of the Act,                                                                       Cargo Security, Carriers and Restricted
                                                  will be issued by the Commission to                                                                           Merchandise Branch, Regulations and
                                                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                Rulings, Office of Trade, (202) 325–
                                                  qualified persons residing in the United                SECURITY
                                                  States upon receipt of an application                                                                         0215, lisa.burley@cbp.dhs.gov. For
                                                  duly executed on the Commission’s                       U.S. Customs and Border Protection                    operational aspects, William R. Scopa,
                                                  Web site at https://rn.ftc.gov or by such                                                                     Branch Chief, Partner Government
                                                  means as the Commission or its                          DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                            Agencies Branch, Trade Policy and
                                                  designee may direct.                                                                                          Programs, Office of Trade, (202) 863–
                                                     (b)(1) Registered identification                     19 CFR Part 12                                        6554, William.R.Scopa@cbp.dhs.gov.
                                                  numbers shall be used only by the                                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                  person or concern to whom they are                      [CBP Dec. 17–12]
                                                                                                                                                                Background
                                                  issued, and such numbers are not                        RIN 1515–AE32
                                                  transferable or assignable.                                                                                      Pursuant to the provisions of the
                                                     (2) Registered identification numbers                Extension of Import Restrictions                      Convention on Cultural Property
                                                  shall be subject to cancellation                        Imposed on Archaeological and                         Implementation Act (hereafter, ‘‘the
                                                  whenever any such number was                            Ethnological Materials From the                       Cultural Property Implementation Act’’
                                                  procured or has been used improperly                    Republic of Mali                                      or ‘‘the Act’’ (Pub. L. 97–446, 19 U.S.C.
                                                  or contrary to the requirements of the                                                                        2601 et seq.)), which implements the
                                                  Acts administered by the Federal Trade                  AGENCY:  U.S. Customs and Border                      1970 United Nations Educational,
                                                  Commission, and regulations                             Protection, Department of Homeland                    Scientific and Cultural Organization
                                                  promulgated thereunder, or when                         Security; Department of the Treasury.                 (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of
                                                  otherwise deemed necessary in the                       ACTION: Final rule.                                   Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit
                                                  public interest.                                                                                              Import, Export and Transfer of
                                                     (3) Registered identification numbers                SUMMARY:   This final rule amends the                 Ownership of Cultural Property
                                                  shall be subject to cancellation if the                 U.S. Customs and Border Protection                    (hereinafter, the Convention) in U.S.
                                                  Commission fails to receive prompt                      (CBP) regulations to reflect an extension             law, the United States may enter into
                                                  notification of any change in name,                     of import restrictions on certain                     international agreements with another
                                                  business address, or legal business                     archaeological materials from Mali.                   State Party to the Convention to impose
                                                  status of a person or firm to whom a                    These restrictions, which were                        import restrictions on eligible
                                                  registered identification number has                    originally imposed by Treasury Decision               archaeological and ethnological
                                                  been assigned, by application duly                      (T.D.) 93–74, and last extended by CBP                materials under procedures and
                                                  executed on the Commission’s Web site                   Decision (Dec.) 12–14, are due to expire              requirements prescribed by the Act.
                                                  at https://rn.ftc.gov or by such means as               on September 19, 2017. The Acting                        In certain limited circumstances, the
                                                  the Commission or its designee may                      Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy                  Cultural Property Implementation Act
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with RULES




                                                  direct.                                                 and Public Affairs, United States                     authorizes the imposition of restrictions
                                                     (c) Registered identification numbers                Department of State, has determined                   on an emergency basis (19 U.S.C.
                                                  assigned under this section may be used                 that conditions warrant the continued                 2603(c)(1)). Under the Act and the
                                                  on labels required in labeling products                 imposition of import restrictions on                  applicable CBP regulations (19 CFR
                                                  subject to the provisions of the Wool                   certain archaeological materials and the              12.104g(b)), emergency restrictions are
                                                  Products Labeling Act and Fur Products                  addition of import restrictions on                    effective for no more than five years
                                                  Labeling Act, and numbers previously                    certain ethnological materials from                   from the date of the State Party’s request
                                                  assigned by the Commission under such                   Mali. The Designated List of cultural                 and may be extended for three years


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:10 Sep 18, 2017   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00026   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\19SER1.SGM   19SER1



Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:19:40
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:19:40
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rules.
DatesThe amended Rules are effective October 19, 2017.
ContactJoshua S. Millard, (202) 326-2454, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20580.
FR Citation82 FR 43690 
RIN Number3084-AB29, 3084-AB27 and 3084-AB30
CFR Citation16 CFR 300
16 CFR 301
16 CFR 303
CFR AssociatedLabeling; Trade Practices; Wool; Fur and Textiles

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR