On December 18, 2020, the Commission initiated periodic review of the Amplifier Rule (officially the Trade Regulation Rule Concerning Power Output Claims for Amplifiers Utilized in Home Entertainment Products) as part of the Commission's systematic review of all current Commission rules and guides. 85 FR 82391 (Dec. 18, 2020). The Commission sought comments on, among other things, the economic impact and benefits of this rule; possible conflict between the rule and State, local, or other Federal laws or regulations; and the effect on the rule of any technological, economic, or other industry changes. The comment period closed on February 16, 2021. On July 27, 2022, the Commission sought public comment on a proposal to amend the Rule to require sellers making power-related claims to calculate power output using uniform testing methods to allow consumers to easily compare amplifier sound quality. 87 FR 45047 (July 27, 2022). Additionally, for multichannel home theater amplifiers the Commission sought comment about how to set test conditions to reflect typical consumer use. The comment period closed on September 26, 2022. On August 21, 2023, the Commission published a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register. 88 FR 56780 (Aug. 21, 2023). The comment period closed on October 23, 2023.

On June 12, 2024, the Commission issued final rule amendments that require sellers making power-related claims to calculate power output using uniform testing methods to allow consumers to easily compare amplifier sound quality; prescribe disclosure language that improves differentiation between power output claims that comply with the Rule’s testing methods and those that do not; and modernize as well as clarify Rule language considering the foregoing modifications. Additionally, the amendments formalize prior Commission guidance on applying the Rule to multichannel amplifiers. 89 FR 49797 (June 12, 2024). The final rule will be effective on August 12, 2024.

Promulgated in 1974, the Rule assists consumers in purchasing power amplification equipment for home entertainment purposes by standardizing the measurement and disclosure of various performance characteristics of the equipment. The Amplifier Rule establishes uniform test standards and disclosures so that consumers can make more meaningful comparisons of performance attributes. The Rule makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for manufacturers and sellers of sound power amplification equipment for home entertainment purposes to fail to disclose certain performance information in connection with direct or indirect representations of power output, power band, frequency, or distortion characteristics. The Rule also sets out standard test conditions for performing the measurements that support the required performance disclosures. Further, the Rule prohibits representations of performance characteristics if they are not obtainable when the equipment is operated by the consumer in the usual and ordinary manner without the use of extraneous aids.