9623041 UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA In the Matter of ABFLEX, U.S.A., INC., a
corporation, and DOCKET NO.C-3771 DECISION AND ORDER The Federal Trade Commission having initiated an investigation of certain acts and practices of the respondents named in the caption hereof, and the respondents having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of complaint which the San Francisco Regional Office proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and which, if issued by the Commission, would charge respondents with violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act; and The respondents, their attorney, and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an agreement containing a consent order, an admission by the respondents of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of complaint, a statement that the signing of said agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission's Rules; and The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it had reason to believe that the respondents have violated the said Act, and that a complaint should issue stating its charges in that respect, and having thereupon accepted the executed consent agreement and placed such agreement on the public record for a period of sixty (60) days, and having duly considered the comment received, now in further conformity with the procedure prescribed in § 2.34 of its Rules, the Commission hereby issues its complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings and enters the following order: 1.a. Proposed respondent Abflex, U.S.A., Inc. is a California corporation with its principal office or place of business at 5962 La Place Court, Suite 260, Carlsbad, California 92008. 1.b. Proposed respondent Martin Van Der Hoeven is an officer of the corporate respondent. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs or controls the policies, acts, or practices of the corporation. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of Abflex, U.S.A., Inc. 2. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding and of the respondents, and the proceeding is in the public interest. ORDER DEFINITIONS For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply: 1. "Competent and reliable scientific evidence" shall mean tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence based on the expertise of professionals in the relevant area, that has been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by persons qualified to do so, using procedures generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable results. 2. "Weight-loss product" shall mean any product or program designed to produce weight loss, reduction or elimination of fat, or caloric deficit or to suppress the appetite in a user of the product or program. 3. Unless otherwise specified, "respondents" shall mean Abflex, U.S.A., Inc., a corporation, its successors and assigns and its officers; Martin Van Der Hoeven, individually and as an officer of the corporation; and each of the above's agents, representatives and employees. 4. "In or affecting commerce" shall mean as defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 44. I. IT IS ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of the "Abflex," any other exercise equipment, or any other weight-loss product in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication:
II. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of the "Abflex," any other exercise equipment, or any other weight-loss product in or affecting commerce, shall not represent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that the experience represented by any user testimonial or endorsement of the product represents the typical or ordinary experience of members of the public who use the product, unless: A. At the time it is made, respondents possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation; or B. Respondents disclose, clearly and prominently, and in close proximity to the endorsement or testimonial, either:
For purposes of this Part, "endorsement" shall mean as defined in 16 C.F.R. § 255.0(b). III. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Abflex, U.S.A., Inc., and its successors and assigns, and respondent Martin Van Der Hoeven shall, for five (5) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:
IV. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Abflex, U.S.A., Inc., and its successors and assigns, and respondent Martin Van Der Hoeven shall deliver a copy of this order to all current and future principals, officers, directors, and managers, and to all current and future employees, agents, and representatives having responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order, provided, however, that the duty to deliver a copy of this order to future personnel as required by this Part shall terminate three (3) years after the date upon which this order becomes final. Respondents shall deliver this order to current personnel within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order, and to future personnel within thirty (30) days after the person assumes such position or responsibilities. V. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Abflex, U.S.A., Inc. and its successors and assigns shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the corporation(s) that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the corporate name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the corporation about which respondent learns less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. VI. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Martin Van Der Hoeven, for a period of five (5) years after the date of issuance of this order, shall notify the Commission of the discontinuance of his current business or employment, or of his affiliation with any new business or employment. The notice shall include respondent's new business address and telephone number and a description of the nature of the business or employment and his duties and responsibilities. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. VII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Abflex, U.S.A., Inc., and its successors and assigns, and respondent Martin Van Der Hoeven shall, within sixty (60) days after the date of service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which they have complied with this order. VIII. This order will terminate on September 18, 2017, or twenty (20) years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration of:
Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal. By the Commission. |