Business Guidance Resources

The Business Center provides plain-language guidance to help businesses understand their responsibilities and comply with the law.

Displaying 81 - 100 of 132

Plain Language Guidance

Information for EU Residents Regarding the U.S. – EU Safe Harbor Program

Date

February 27, 2015

Update on the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework On October 6, 2015, the European Court of Justice issued a judgment declaring invalid the European Commission’s July 26, 2000 decision on the legal adequacy...

annexes_eu-us_privacy_shield_en1.pdf (1.45 MB)

Plain Language Guidance

Informing Businesses about the INFORM Consumers Act

Date

June 8, 2023

Congress passed the Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act – or the INFORM Consumers Act – effective as of June 27, 2023. The Federal Trade Commission...

Plain Language Guidance

Letter from Chairwoman Edith Ramirez to Viviane Reding, European Commission Vice-President in Charge of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship (Nov. 12, 2013)

Date

January 17, 2014

Letter Expressing the Federal Trade Commission’s Commitment to Protecting Consumer Privacy and the Enforcement of the Safe Harbor Program

Plain Language Guidance

Light Bulb Labels: Templates for Manufacturers

Date

December 14, 2012

These label templates can be used to create model-specific Lighting Facts labels for light bulbs. To download, click the appropriate label link below, and when prompted, save the file with the...

Plain Language Guidance

Marketing of Refractive Eye Care Surgery: Guidance for Eye Care Providers

Date

October 24, 2008

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has prepared this guidance on marketing Lasik and alternative laser refractive procedures, known as “surface ablation techniques,” for eye care providers. It...

Plain Language Guidance

Marketing Your Mobile App: Get It Right from the Start

Date

April 14, 2013

Congratulations! The app business is burgeoning and you’ve decided to get in on the boom. Maybe you work for an exciting start-up or are striking out on your own. Regardless of the size of your...

pdf-0140_marketing-your-mobile-app.pdf (1.01 MB)

Plain Language Guidance

Medical Identity Theft: FAQs for Health Care Providers and Health Plans

Date

January 20, 2011

Although identity theft is usually associated with financial transactions, it also happens in the context of medical care. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), medical identity theft...

bus75-medical-identity-theft-faq-health-care-health-plan.pdf (249.5 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

Merchants Beware: New “Free Money from the Government” Scam May Cost You

Date

June 18, 2012

Produced in cooperation with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta If you operate a business that accepts checks or online payments, you could be at risk for a new scam that may cost you time and money...

Plain Language Guidance

Mobile Health App Developers: FTC Best Practices

Date

December 7, 2022

Start with Security: A Guide for Business offers tips for any business wanting to implement sound data security. For health app developers, here’s tailored advice and additional questions to ask...

Plain Language Guidance

Mobile Health App Interactive Tool

Date

July 7, 2024

Privacy and security are important considerations for any app—and especially apps that collect and share consumers’ health information. As you design, market, and distribute your mobile health app...

Plain Language Guidance

Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule: A Compliance Guide for Business

Date

February 9, 2011

Homeowners facing foreclosure are often desperate for a way to hold on to their homes. Some companies claim they can help fight off foreclosure by negotiating new mortgage terms with lenders or...

bus76-mortgage-assistance-relief-services-rule.pdf (622.32 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule: A Compliance Guide for Lawyers

Date

February 9, 2011

Many people who have trouble paying their mortgages seek legal assistance to save their homes or avoid foreclosure. Services consumers ask lawyers to perform run the gamut: representing clients who...

bus77-mortgage-assistance-relief-services-rule-lawyers.pdf (147.48 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

Native Advertising: A Guide for Businesses

Date

December 21, 2015

Marketers and publishers are using innovative methods to create, format, and deliver digital advertising. One form is “native advertising,” content that bears a similarity to the news, feature...

Plain Language Guidance

New Rules on Electronic Payments Lower Costs for Retailers

Date

September 5, 2011

This guidance document also is available in Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese. If your business accepts payment by credit or debit card, some new rules of the road may help you lower your costs. The...

bus78-new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers.pdf (263.08 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

New Rules on Electronic Payments Lower Costs for Retailers - Chinese

Date

September 5, 2011

Available as PDF only.

cbus78-new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers.pdf (410.47 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

New Rules on Electronic Payments Lower Costs for Retailers - Korean

Date

September 30, 2011

Available as PDF only.

kbus78-new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers.pdf (662.65 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

New Rules on Electronic Payments Lower Costs for Retailers - Vietnamese

Date

September 30, 2011

Available as PDF only.

vbus78-new-rules-electronic-payments-lower-costs-retailers.pdf (428.31 KB)

Plain Language Guidance

Offering Layaways

Date

March 2, 1986

Table of Contents Introduction Laws That Affect Layaways Federal Laws State and Local Laws Disclosing Layaway Terms Important Matters to Disclose Cancellation and Refund Policies Payment Plans Service...

Plain Language Guidance

Online Charitable Giving Portals

Date

June 1, 2018

Many online retailers, social media hubs, crowd-funding sites, and other online platforms offer “giving portals” that provide a list of charities people can choose to support directly from the online...

Plain Language Guidance

Peer-to-Peer File Sharing: A Guide for Business

Date

January 2, 2010

Most businesses collect and store sensitive information about their employees and customers, like Social Security numbers, credit card and account information, and medical and other personal data...

bus46-peer-peer-file-sharing-guide-business.pdf (572.2 KB)

Displaying 81 - 100 of 132

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