FTC Extends Deadline for Public Input on Jewelry Industry Marketing Guides

Do you have something to say about jewelry and how it’s marketed?  If so, the Federal Trade Commission wants to hear from you, and is extending the deadline for filing public comments on the agency’s Jewelry Guides.

The Guides (formally, the “Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries”) explain to businesses how to avoid making deceptive claims about precious metal, pewter, diamond, gemstone, and pearl products, and when they should make disclosures to avoid unfair or deceptive trade practices.  The FTC completed its last comprehensive review of the Guides in 1996 and has modified them four times since then.

On July 2, 2012, as part of the Commission’s systematic review of its rules and guides, the FTC published a notice in the Federal Register requesting public comments on the Guides’ costs and benefits, and on whether the Guides should be repealed, amended, or retained in their current form.  The notice also requested comments on specific issues concerning composite gemstones, pearls, diamonds, and precious metal alloys, as well as comments regarding any other issues or concerns relating to the Guides.  The notice set August 27, 2012 as the deadline for filing comments.

A trade association representing jewelry industry members requested an extension of this deadline to allow additional time to develop comments and supporting evidence that would fully address the issues.  Given the complexity and range of issues raised in the notice, including the request for consumer perception evidence, the Commission has decided to extend the comment period to September 28, 2012.

The Commission vote extending the deadline for filing public comments on the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries was 5-0.  The notice extending the deadline is available on the FTC’s website and in the Federal Register.  Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice.  Comments must be received by September 28, 2012.  All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm.  (FTC File No. G711001; the staff contact is Reenah Kim, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2272)

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