FTC Seeks Public Comment on Consumer Product Warranty Rules

As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all FTC rules and guides, the agency is seeking public comment on its Rules and guidance regarding product warranties under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The agency is seeking comment on the FTC’s Interpretations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the FTC’s Guides for the Advertising of Warranties and Guarantees, and three Rules governing disclosure requirements for written warranties on consumer products, requirements for sellers and warrantors to make written warranty terms available to consumers before a sale, and procedural standards for warrantors who want consumers to use a dispute resolution process before filing suit for breach of warranty.

The Commission seeks public comment on the overall costs, benefits, and necessity of the Interpretations, Guides, and Rules, as well as whether the FTC should revise its interpretations of the Act’s prohibition on tying, or make amendments to address service contracts or making warranty documents available online.

The Magnuson-Moss Act became law in 1975; the Interpretations, Rules and Guides were last reviewed in 1996-97.

The Commission vote approving a Federal Register Notice seeking public comment was 5-0. It is available on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register shortly. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. Comments must be received by October 24, 2011. All comments received will be posted at www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments/initiative-392. (FTC File No. P114406; the staff contact is Svetlana S. Gans, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3708)

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(Warranty Rules Review)