R-value Rule

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comments on whether it should keep or modify its R-Value Rule. The rule requires insulation manufacturers and sellers to disclose on home-insulation products an R-value, a measure of thermal per- formance or insulating ability. The rule is designed to help consumers compare the value of the insulation products. The Commission said it is particularly interested in comments on whether the rule should be updated to include new test procedures or specific requirements for new products.

The comments are being solicited as part of the Commission's systematic review of all current rules and guides. Written comments are due in 60 days, by June 6.

In addition, the Commission is seeking comment on a petition requesting that it add a fifth approved testing method for determining the R-value of insulation. The Commission seeks comments on its proposal to amend the rule to allow use of the additional test procedure. The FTC also asks commenters to address whether the rule should be amended to specify:

• different or additional test procedures for insulation products specifically addressed in the rule; and
  
  
• the manner in which specimens of new products should be prepared for R-value testing to ensure that the values are accurate and based on uniform standards.

In addition, as in other instances where it has sought comments on existing rules, the Commission seeks comments on the continuing need for the rule, its costs, benefits and burdens, changes that should be made, and what, if any, effect techno- logical changes have had on the rule.

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(R-Value--04/06/95)

The Commission vote to seek public comments was 4-0. Comments should be identified as "R-Value Rule, 16 CFR Part 460-- Comment," and addressed to the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Room H-159, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

A notice announcing the request for comments appeared in today's Federal Register.

Copies of the Federal Register notice announcing the rule for public comment and of the rule itself are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, same address as above.

(FTC Matter No. P954210)