WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 22 that it will take steps to ensure its regulations keep pace with technological advances in the marketplace as part of a regulatory reform initiative brought forth by acting chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen.
“Regulations can be important tools in protecting consumers but when they are outdated, excessive or unnecessary, they can create significant burdens on the U.S. economy, with little benefit,” Ohlhausen said. “Private firms face constant market pressure to innovate and improve, and I see no reason why government should operate any differently. American taxpayers should expect nothing less from us.” .
The FTC is currently seeking public comment on and contemplating updates to various rules, including the Picture Tube Rule, Textile Rules, Energy Labeling Rule, and the CAN-SPAM Rule.
The Picture Tube Rule requires manufacturers to adhere to certain television screen size measurements to help consumers compare. The Textile Labeling Rules mandate that marketers of textile products attach proper labels. The Energy Labeling Rule requires energy labels on various consumer products to help consumers compare models. The CAN-SPAM Rule sets requirements for commercial email.
The FTC voted 2-0 to approve the actions related to the rules.