For Your Information: 10/25/2013

In light of the recent, temporary government shutdown, the Federal Trade Commission is extending the public comment periods for 13 matters that currently are pending before the agency in order to ensure that interested parties have a full opportunity to file comments.  The Commission also previously extended the comment periods in two proceedings under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

Except for the final three matters involving the Paperwork Reduction Act, the deadline for public comment for each of the matters listed below is being extended to November 12:

The Commission also is extending the public comment period for three proceedings in which it has proposed to collect information in a manner subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).

• The public comment period for the FTC proposal to extend through November 30, 2016, the Commission’s current authority (subject to the PRA) to collect information under its Consumer Product Warranty Rule.  The public comment period previously was scheduled to end on October 4, 2013, but has now been extended until seven days after the publication of the Federal Register Notice that accompanies this news release.
• The public comment period for the FTC proposal to extend through January 31, 2017, the Commission’s authority (shared with the with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and also subject to the PRA) to collect information as part of enforcement of CFPB's Regulation O.  The comment period previously was scheduled to end on October 28, 2013, but has now been extended until November 13, 2013.
• The public comment period for the FTC proposal to extend through December 31, 2016, the Commission’s current authority (subject to the PRA) to collect information under its Affiliate Marketing Rule, which applies to certain motor vehicle dealers; and to collect information as part of enforcement (shared with the with CFPB and also subject to the PRA) of certain provisions of CFPB's Regulation V.  The comment period previously was scheduled to end on October 28, 2013, but has now been extended until November 13, 2013.

These changes will be published in the Federal Register shortly. The Commission vote to approve the changes was 4-0 (Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen’s vote is for all matters except Nielsen Holdings for which she is recused).

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.  To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).  The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Peter Kaplan, Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2334