Fiberglass Curtain Rule

The Federal Trade Commission has tentatively proposed to repeal a rule requiring warnings about handling fiberglass curtains and draperies because the products are no longer in general use. The FTC is seeking public comments on the proposal for 30 days, until June 22.

The Fiberglass Curtain Rule, adopted by the Commission in 1967, requires disclosure that skin irritation may result from handling fiberglass curtains or curtain cloth and from contact with clothing or other articles which have been washed with such fiberglass or in a container previously used for washing such fiberglass products if the container is not cleaned of all glass particles.

As part of its continuing review of its trade regulation rules, the Commission tentatively has determined that because of technological developments in fire-retardant fabrics, fiberglass fabric has been displaced by polyester and modacrylic fibers, and that fiberglass fabrics are now used almost exclusively for very specialized industrial purposes. Therefore, the Commission proposes to repeal the rule.

Members of the public are invited to comment on any issues or concerns they believe are relevant to the Commission's review of the Fiberglass Curtain Rule. Comments should be identified as "16 CFR Part 413 " and addressed to the FTC, Office of the Secretary, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

The Commission vote to publish the advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register was 5-0.

Copies of the rule and of today's Federal Register notice are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.

(FTC Matter No. P924214)