FTC Amends Fair Packaging and Labeling Act Rules

The Federal Trade Commission has amended its rules under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), which requires that certain products carry labels identifying the contents, source, item quantity, and other information to help consumers compare products.

In February 2015, the FTC sought public comment on proposed amendments. In response to comments received, the Commission adopted all proposed amendments, including modernizing the place-of-business listing requirement to incorporate online resources, eliminating obsolete references to commodities advertised using the terms “cents off,” “introductory offer” and “economy size,”  and incorporating a more comprehensive metric chart.

Product categories exempt from FTC regulations under the FPLA are meat products, poultry, tobacco products, items under the Food and Drug Administration’s jurisdiction, alcoholic beverages, commodities subject to the Federal Seed Act, and any commodity subject to packaging or labeling requirements imposed under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or certain provisions of the Virus-Serum-Toxin Act. In addition, the notice specifically lists numerous products that are not subject to the FPLA.

The Commission vote approving the amendments was 4-0. The amended FPLA regulations are available on the FTC’s website and will be published in the Federal Register shortly.

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