Publication of Federal Register notices:

The Commission has approved publication of a Federal Register notice on how the FTC would implement a national do-not-call registry under the FTC's recently proposed amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). As detailed in the notice, which is available on the Commission's Web site and will be published shortly, the FTC would implement the proposed do-not-call registry by establishing a new agency system of records subject to the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The proposed system, if adopted, would include telephone numbers and other information pertaining to individuals who have informed the Commission that they do not wish to receive telemarketing calls. System records would be disclosed to telemarketers so they may comply with the do-not-call provisions of the TSR.

The FTC is accepting comments on the proposed system until March 29, 2002. Comments should be submitted to: Office of the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580, "Telemarketing Rulemaking-Comment," FTC File No. R411011, and should note that the comment pertains to "Proposed Privacy Act System, Do-Not-Call Registry - FTC." Additional information about submitting comments electronically can be found in the Federal Register notice. The Commission vote to approve publication of the Federal Register notice was 5-0. (FTC File No. R411001; staff contact is Alex Tang, Office of the General Counsel, 202-326-2447; see related press release dated January 22, 2002.)

The Commission has approved publication of four Federal Register notices related to its ongoing systematic review of all FTC rules and guides. Each notice, as described below, will be available shortly and posted on the Commission's Web site:

1) The Commission has approved the publication of a Federal Register notice regarding its intent to request public comments on one guide and one rule during 2002: 1) Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising; and 2) Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles. The purpose of the notice is to request comments on, among other things, the economic impact of, and the continuing need for, the rule or guide under review; possible conflict between the rule or guide and state, local, or other federal laws or regulations; and the effect on the rule or guide of any technological, economic, or other industry changes. Publication of the notice does not imply any Commission determination on the need for, or substance of, the rule or guide being reviewed. The Commission has also tentatively scheduled other rule and guide reviews for 2003-2011, and a copy of this schedule is appended to the notice.

For more information on the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, contact Richard Cleland, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Advertising Practices, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-3088. For more information on the Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles, contact Neil Blickman, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, Division of Enforcement, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-3038.

2) Following a regulatory review, the Commission has approved publication of a Federal Register notice announcing that it is rescinding the Guides for the Household Furniture Industry. Adopted by the Commission in 1973, these guides have provided guidance for industry members engaged in the manufacture, sale, distribution, labeling, and advertising of household furniture products. In the nearly 30 years since the Guides were issued, the Commission has not received any complaints relating to the practices they cover, and within the last 10 years, the Commission has not had to initiate any enforcement action relating in any way to these Guides. In addition, comments received in response to a Federal Register notice, published in 2000, indicate that the Guides are now outdated. For these reasons, the Commission has determined that the Guides are no longer necessary. If, in the future, members of this industry engage in deceptive acts or practices, such conduct can be addressed under the FTC Act. For more information contact Ingrid Whittaker-Ware, Federal Trade Commission, Southeast Region, 225 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 1500, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404-656-1364.

3) Following a regulatory review, the Commission has approved publication of a Federal Register notice announcing that it is retaining the Guides for the Rebuilt, Reconditioned, and Other Used Automobile Parts Industry, with updated language and minor revisions. The Used Auto Parts Guides address claims for automotive parts and assemblies that have been used or contain used parts. As part of its program to review its rules and guides, the Commission published a Federal Register notice in 1998 seeking comments about the regulatory and economic costs and benefits of the Guides. Based on the comments received, the FTC has determined to retain the Guides as revised. For more information contact David Plottner, Federal Trade Commission, East Central Region, 1111 Superior Ave., Suite 200, Cleveland, OH 44114; 216-263-3409.

4) Following a regulatory review, the Commission has approved publication of a Federal Register notice announcing that it is retaining the Guides Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles. Adopted by the Commission in 1975 and subsequently revised twice, the Guides assist automobile manufacturers and dealers in avoiding deceptive fuel economy claims and using fuel economy information truthfully in advertising. The FTC has now completed its review of the Guides, and based on input received following the publication a Federal Register notice seeking public comments, has determined to retain them. The Commission concluded that the Guides are useful to both consumers and the new vehicle industry and that they afford clarity in the advertising of fuel economy. For more information contact Willie L. Greene, Federal Trade Commission, East Central Region, 1111 Superior Ave., Suite 200, Cleveland, OH 44114; 216-263-3406.

The Commission vote to publish each Federal Register notice and place a copy on the public record was 5-0. (FTC File Nos.: Regulatory Review Schedule for 2002 and Proposed New 10-year Calendar, P924214; Rescission of Household Furniture Guides, P007102; Revision and Retention of Used Auto Parts Guides, P987701; Retention of Fuel Economy Advertising Guides, P997701; staff contact is Carol Jennings, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-3010)

Release of Commission report:

The Commission has authorized staff to publicly release a report entitled "Federal Trade Commission Performance Report for Fiscal Year 2001." The Fiscal Year 2001 Report is the third performance report required under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA). The Report supplements the Commission's five-year Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2000-2005, which was approved in September 2000. The agency's Performance Plans implement the Commission's strategic goals by establishing annual performance targets. The Performance Report compares and evaluates each year's actual performance to the established targets set forth in the Performance Plan. The Commission vote to release the report was 5-0. (FTC File No. P010101; staff contact is Henry Hoffman, FTC Chief Financial Officer, 202-326-2664.)

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. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.