FTC requests public opinion on platinum guides
February 28, 2008
New York—The
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Federal Register Notice asking for comments on its proposed amendment that would allow jewelry marketers to use the term platinum, or an abbreviation, to describe platinum and non-platinum group metal alloy products.
Currently, the FTC guidelines on the labeling of precious metals do not include alloyed platinum jewelry containing less than 850 parts per thousand (ppt) of platinum.
The FTC is also interested in whether or not the guides should address platinum-plated products in a manner similar to gold-plated products already addressed in the guides.
If adopted, the amendments would be added to the platinum section of the FTC Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries, 16 CFR Part 23, at Section 23.7(b)(4).
Specifically, the FTC is accepting comment on the following two issues:
1. How to non-deceptively mark or describe products that contain at least 500 ppt but less than 850 ppt pure platinum and do not contain at least 950 ppt platinum group metals.
2. Whether or not the guides should be revised to provide guidance on how to mark or describe platinum-clad, filled, plated or overlay products.
The JVC will work with the Platinum Task Force, formed in 2005, to provide industry comments in response to prior questions posed by the FTC. The Task Force will address the current proposals and answer the specific questions the FTC posed in connection with the proposed revisions to the Jewelry Guides.
"The JVC will continue its work in determining the needs and views of the industry on this important topic, and in facilitating the appropriate response," JVC's president, chief executive officer and general counsel Cecilia Gardner said in a media release. "We urge jewelers to record their opinions with the FTC prior to May 25, 2008."
For the full text of the Federal Register Notice,
click here.
For information about the JVC's legal-compliance products and services visit its Web site,
JVClegal.org.
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