Announced Actions for February 25, 2000

The Federal Trade Commission today announced the following actions:

Consent agreements given final approval:

• Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final a consent agreement with the following: Fidelity National Financial, Inc.

The Commission vote to finalize the consent agreement was 5-0. (FTC File No. 991-0298; staff contact is Michael Antalics, 202-326-2821; see press release dated January 12, 2000.)

• Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final a consent agreement with the following: Memtek Productions, Inc.

The Commission vote to finalize the consent agreement was 5-0. (FTC File No. 992-3114; staff contact is Joel Winston, 202-326-3153; see press release dated January 10, 2000.)

• Following a public comment period, the Commission has made final a consent agreement with the following: UMAX Technologies, Inc.

The Commission vote to finalize the consent agreement was 5-0. (FTC File No. 992-3242; staff contact is Joel Winston, 202-326-3153; see press release dated January 10, 2000.)

Publication of Federal Register Notice:

The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice amending the FTC's Appliance Labeling Rule. As detailed in the notice, the FTC is now granting manufacturers of residential appliances covered by the Rule a conditional exemption from the Rule's prohibition against the inclusion of nonrequired information on Energy Guide labels. This exemption allows appliance manufacturers to place the logo of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) joint "ENERGY STAR" Program on required Energy Guides on some appliances under certain conditions.  

In the notice, the Commission also announces that "Federal Trade Commission" must now be included on all Energy Guide labels so consumers and others will be clear as to the identity of the agency with the authority to enforce the rule requiring the Energy Guide labels.  

The vote to publish the Federal Register notice was 5-0. (FTC File No. R611004; staff contact is James G. Mills, 202-326-3035.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release 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.