FTC is seeking public comment on its Guides for the Rebuilt, Reconditioned and Other Used Automobile Parts Industry (Used Auto Parts Guides or Guides)

As part of its ongoing periodic review of its rules and guides, the Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on its Guides for the Rebuilt, Reconditioned and Other Used Automobile Parts Industry (Used Auto Parts Guides or Guides). The FTC’s request for comments about the overall costs and benefits of the guides and their regulatory and economic impact will be published in the Federal Register on April 8 and comments will be accepted for 120 days, until August 6, 1998.

The Used Auto Parts Guides, effective since December 1962, define industry products broadly to include all self-propelled vehicle used parts and assemblies containing used parts. For example, automobile parts, and truck, tractor, and motorcycle parts, if used, come under the Guides, as do the large diesel engines, clutches and transmissions used in heavy equipment.

The Used Auto Parts Guides advise that industry members not misrepresent that their products are new, not misrepresent the condition of the product or the extent of rebuilding, not misrepresent that the rebuilder was the original manufacturer, and that they conspicuously disclose in advertising and packaging, that the products include used parts.

The Commission seeks public comment on a number of questions, including the following:

• Is there a continuing need for the Used Auto Parts Guides?
• What changes should be made to the Guides to increase the benefits of the Guides to purchasers?
• What significant burdens or costs (including costs of compliance) have the Guides imposed on firms subject to their advice?
• Since 1962 when the main provisions of the Guides were issued, what effects have the following changes in relevant technology or economic conditions had on the Guides: (a) increased sales of imported new automobiles; (b) the global nature of the economy; (c) changes in methods of parts distribution; or (d) other changes in distribution or sales, including use of E-mail, the Internet, Internet advertising or CD ROM advertising.
• Are there any abuses occurring in the distribution, promotion, sale or manufacture of used automobile parts that are not addressed by the Guides? If so, what mechanisms should be explored to address such abuses?

Comments about the Guides should be addressed to: Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Room H-159, Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580 and should be identified as "Used Auto Parts Guide, 16 CFR Part 20 -- Comment."

E-mail comments will be accepted at: autopart@ftc.gov, and should be accompanied by a return e-mail address to which an acknowledgment of receipt can be sent.

The Commission vote to publish the Federal Register notice concerning the Guides was 5-0.

Copies of the Federal Register notice and the Guides are available from the FTC’s web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-FTC-HELP (202- 382-4357); TDD for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710.

(FTC File No. P987701)