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FTC RIN: 3084-AB27 Publication ID: Fall 2014 
Title: Rules and Regulations Under the Fur Products Labeling Act 
Abstract:

The Fur Products Labeling Act (Fur Act) requires covered furs and fur products to be labeled, invoiced, and advertised to show: (1) the name(s) of the animal that produced the fur(s); (2) that the fur is used fur or contains used fur, if such is the case; (3) that the fur is bleached, dyed, or otherwise artificially colored, if such is the case; and (4) the name of the country of origin of any imported furs used in the fur product. Pursuant to section 8(b) of the Fur Act, "... the Commission is authorized and directed to prescribe rules and regulations governing the manner and form of disclosing information required by this Act and such further rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper for purposes of administration and enforcement of this Act." These implementing Fur Rules are set forth at 16 CFR 301.

 

In December 2010, Congress passed the Truth in Fur Labeling Act (TFLA), which amends the Fur Act, by: (1) eliminating the Commission's discretion to exempt fur products of "relatively small quantity or value" from disclosure requirements; and (2) providing that the Fur Act will not apply to certain fur products "obtained ... through trapping or hunting" and sold in "face to face transaction[s]." Public Law No. 111-113. TFLA also directed the Commission to review and allow comment on the Fur Products Name Guide, 16 CFR 301.0 (Name Guide).

 

Accordingly, the Commission issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) and a request for comments on March 14, 2011, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on September 17, 2012, and a supplemental NPRM on June 19, 2013. On May 28, 2014, the Commission published amendments to the Fur Rules that update the Fur Products Name Guide, provide more labeling flexibility, incorporate Truth in Fur Labeling Act provisions and conform the guaranty provisions to those governing the rules under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act. 79 FR 30445. The amendments are effective on November 19, 2014. More specifically, the changes eliminate unnecessary requirements on companies that sell fur products to give them more flexibility on labeling, update the Fur Products Name Guide that lists common animal names allowed on fur labels, incorporate provisions of a fur labeling law passed by Congress in 2010, the TFLA, including the elimination of the Commission's discretion to exempt fur products of relatively small quantity or value from disclosure requirements; and providing that the Fur Act would not apply to products covered by the hunter/trapper exemption. 

 
Agency: Federal Trade Commission(FTC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 16 CFR 301   
Legal Authority: 15 USC 69   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  03/14/2011  76 FR 13551   
ANPRM Comment Period Closed  05/16/2011 
NPRM  09/17/2012  77 FR 57043   
NPRM Comment Period End  11/16/2012 
Supplemental NPRM  06/19/2013  78 FR 36693   
Supplemental NPRM Comment Period End  07/23/2013 
Final Rule  05/28/2014  79 FR 30445   
Final Rule Effective Date  11/19/2014 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Related RINs: Previously reported as 3084-AA51 
Agency Contact:
Robert M Frisby
Attorney
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., CC-9528,
Washington, DC 20580
Phone:202 326-2098
Email: rfrisby@ftc.gov