UNITED STATES OF AMERICA In the Matter of CASTROL NORTH AMERICA INC., a corporation. FILE NO. 972-3209 AGREEMENT CONTAINING CONSENT ORDER The Federal Trade Commission has conducted an investigation of certain acts and practices of Castrol North America Inc., a corporation, ("proposed respondent"). Proposed respondent, having been represented by counsel, is willing to enter into an agreement containing a consent order resolving the allegations contained in the attached draft complaint. Therefore, IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between Castrol North America Inc., by its duly authorized officer, and counsel for the Federal Trade Commission that:
ORDER DEFINITIONS For purposes of this order, the following definitions shall apply:
I. IT IS ORDERED that respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the advertising, labeling, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of Castrol Syntec Power System fuel system treatment or any other fuel additive product or engine oil additive product in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication:
unless, at the time the representation is made, respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation. II. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the advertising, labeling, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of Castrol Syntec Power System fuel system treatment or any other fuel additive product in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, regarding the performance, benefits, efficacy, attributes or use of such product, unless, at the time the representation is made, respondent possesses and relies upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation. III. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, in connection with the advertising, labeling, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any fuel additive product in or affecting commerce, shall not misrepresent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions, or interpretations of any test, study, or research. IV. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent, and its successors and assigns shall, for five (5) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:
V. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent and its successors and assigns shall deliver a copy of this order to all current and future principals, officers, directors, and managers, and to all current and future employees, agents, and representatives who have responsibility for the preparation, review or approval of any advertising within the scope of this order, and shall secure from each such person a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of the order. Respondent shall deliver this order to current personnel within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order, and to future personnel within thirty (30) days after the person assumes such position or responsibilities. VI. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent and its successors and assigns shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including but not limited to a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the corporate name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the corporation about which respondent learns less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. VII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent and its successors and assigns shall, within sixty (60) days after the date of service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which it has complied with this order. VIII. This order will terminate twenty (20) years from the date of its issuance, or twenty (20) years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration of:
Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal. Signed this _______________ day of _______________, 19___ CASTROL NORTH AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE, INC. By: ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ APPROVED: _________________________________ _________________________________ |