Announced Actions for July 22, 1999

• Federal Register Notice: Power Output Claims for Amplifiers Utilized in Home Entertainment Products
  
  On Monday, July 19, 1999, the Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding proposed changes to the "Amplifier Rule." The Commission seeks public comment on four proposed changes to the Rule. The proposed amendments would modify the Rule's preconditioning requirements for amplifiers, clarify the testing procedures for self-powered speakers for use with personal computers and home stereo systems, and eliminate certain required technical disclosures when power output claims are made in media advertising. Written comments on the proposed changes, as well as comments on a number of specific questions, will be accepted for 60 days, until September 17, 1999. Since written comments appear adequate to present the views of all interested parties, a public hearing has not been scheduled. The Federal Register Notice, however, includes instructions for prospective witnesses and other interested persons who would like to participate in a hearing where oral testimony could be presented. Requests to present oral testimony also will be accepted until September 17, 1999. The Commission vote to publish the Federal Register Notice was 4-0. (FTC File No. P974222; Staff Contacts: Dennis Murphy, Bureau of Economics, 202-326-3524 or Neil Blickman, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3038).

Copies of the Federal Register Notice are available from the FTC's web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC's Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357); 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.