Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 7894-7904 [E9-3645]
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PLACE:
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 33 / Friday, February 20, 2009 / Notices
999 E Street, NW., Washington,
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
DC.
STATUS: This meeting will be closed to
the public.
ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED:
Compliance matters pursuant to 2
U.S.C. 437g.
Audits conducted pursuant to 2
U.S.C. 437g, 438(b), and Title 26, U.S.C.
Matters concerning participation in
civil actions or proceedings or
arbitration.
Internal personnel rules and
procedures or matters affecting a
particular employee.
PERSON TO CONTACT FOR INFORMATION:
Judith Ingram, Press Officer, Telephone:
(202) 694–1220.
Mary W. Dove,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. E9–3482 Filed 2–18–09; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 6715–01–M
FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
Notice: Sunshine Act
TIME AND DATE:
February 11, 2009–10
a.m.
PLACE: 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
First Floor Hearing Room, Washington,
DC.
STATUS: A portion of the meeting will be
in Open Session and the remainder of
the meeting will be in Closed Session.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Open Session
1. Docket No. 02–15 Passenger Vessel
Financial Responsibility—Request of
Commissioner Brennan.
2. Foreign Travel Authorization for
the 2009 Global Liner Shipping
Conference.
3. 2008 Funding for Purchase and
Installation of Media Equipment for
Commission Offices.
4. 2008 Federal Human Capital
Survey Results.
Closed Session
1. Docket No. 02–04: Anchor Shipping
Co. v. Alianca Navegacao e Logistica
Ltda et al.
2. FMC Agreement No. 201199: Port
Fee Services Agreement.
3. Internal Administrative Practices
and Personnel Matters.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Karen V. Gregory, Secretary, (202) 523–
05725.
Karen V. Gregory,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–3810 Filed 2–18–09; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 6730–01–P
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Notice of Proposals to Engage in
Permissible Nonbanking Activities or
to Acquire Companies that are
Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking
Activities
The companies listed in this notice
have given notice under section 4 of the
Bank Holding Company Act (12 U.S.C.
1843) (BHC Act) and Regulation Y (12
CFR Part 225) to engage de novo, or to
acquire or control voting securities or
assets of a company, including the
companies listed below, that engages
either directly or through a subsidiary or
other company, in a nonbanking activity
that is listed in § 225.28 of Regulation Y
(12 CFR 225.28) or that the Board has
determined by Order to be closely
related to banking and permissible for
bank holding companies. Unless
otherwise noted, these activities will be
conducted throughout the United States.
Each notice is available for inspection
at the Federal Reserve Bank indicated.
The notice also will be available for
inspection at the offices of the Board of
Governors. Interested persons may
express their views in writing on the
question whether the proposal complies
with the standards of section 4 of the
BHC Act. Additional information on all
bank holding companies may be
obtained from the National Information
Center website at www.ffiec.gov/nic/.
Unless otherwise noted, comments
regarding the applications must be
received at the Reserve Bank indicated
or the offices of the Board of Governors
not later than March 9, 2009.
A. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
(Burl Thornton, Assistant Vice
President) 230 South LaSalle Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60690–1414:
1. Garnavillo Bank Corporation, to
acquire GSB Agency, both of Garnavillo,
Iowa, and thereby engage in insurance
activities in towns with less than 5,000
in population, pursuant to section
225.28(b)(11)(iii)(A) of Regulation Y.
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, February 17, 2009.
Robert deV. Frierson,
Deputy Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. E9–3635 Filed 2–19–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6210–01–S
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission
(‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘FTC’’).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The FTC plans to conduct a
consumer study to evaluate alternatives
to the current disclosures required for
most consumer lamp (i.e., light bulb)
products. The Commission is examining
the effectiveness of current light bulb
package labeling as directed by
Congress. Before conducting this study,
the FTC is seeking public comments on
the proposed study pursuant to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (‘‘PRA’’).
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before March 23, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The Commission invites
interested parties to submit written
comments electronically or in paper
form. Comments should refer to ‘‘Lamp
Labeling Study, Project No. P084206’’ to
facilitate the organization of comments.
Please note that comments will be
placed on the public record of this
proceeding—including on the publicly
accessible FTC website, at (https://
www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm)
— and, therefore, should not include
any sensitive or confidential
information. In particular, comments
should not include any sensitive
personal information, such as an
individual’s Social Security Number;
date of birth; driver’s license number or
other state identification number, or
foreign country equivalent; passport
number; financial account number; or
credit or debit card number. Comments
also should not include any sensitive
health information, such as medical
records or other individually
identifiable health information. In
addition, comments should not include
any ‘‘[t]rade secrets and commercial or
financial information obtained from a
person and privileged or
confidential. . . .,’’ as provided in Section
6(f) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 46(f), and
FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 16 CFR 4.10(a)(2).
Comments containing material for
which confidential treatment is
requested must be filed in paper form,
must be clearly labeled ‘‘Confidential,’’
and must comply with FTC Rule 4.9(c).1
Because paper mail addressed to the
FTC is subject to delay due to
heightened security screening, please
consider submitting your comments in
electronic form. Comments filed in
electronic form should be submitted by
using the following weblink: (https://
secure.commentworks.com/ftclampstudy) (and following the
1 FTC Rule 4.2(d), 16 CFR 4.2(d). The comment
must be accompanied by an explicit request for
confidential treatment, including the factual and
legal basis for the request, and must identify the
specific portions of the comment to be withheld
from the public record. The request will be granted
or denied by the Commission’s General Counsel,
consistent with applicable law and the public
interest. See FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).
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instructions on the web-based form). To
ensure that the Commission considers
an electronic comment, you must file it
on the web-based form at the weblink :
(https://secure.commentworks.com/ftclampstudy). If this Notice appears at
(https://www.regulations.gov/search/
index.jsp), you may also file an
electronic comment through that
website. The Commission will consider
all comments that regulations.gov
forwards to it.
A comment filed in paper form
should include the reference ‘‘Lamp
Labeling Study, Project No. P084206’’
both in the text and on the envelope,
and should be mailed or delivered to the
following address: Federal Trade
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
Room H-135 (Annex J), 600
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington,
DC 20580. The FTC requests that any
comment filed in paper form be sent by
courier or overnight service, if possible,
because U.S. postal mail in the
Washington area and at the Commission
is subject to delay due to heightened
security precautions.
All comments should additionally be
submitted to: Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention:
Desk Officer for the Federal Trade
Commission. Comments should be
submitted via facsimile to (202) 3955167 because U.S. Postal Mail is subject
to lengthy delays due to heightened
security precautions.
The FTC Act and other laws the
Commission administers permit the
collection of public comments to
consider and use in this proceeding as
appropriate. The Commission will
consider all timely and responsive
public comments that it receives,
whether filed in paper or electronic
form. Comments received will be
available to the public on the FTC
website, to the extent practicable, at
(https://www.ftc.gov/os/
publiccomments.shtm). As a matter of
discretion, the Commission makes every
effort to remove home contact
information for individuals from the
public comments it receives before
placing those comments on the FTC
website. More information, including
routine uses permitted by the Privacy
Act, may be found in the FTC’s privacy
policy, at (https://www.ftc.gov/ftc/
privacy.shtm).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hampton Newsome, Attorney, 202-3262889, or Lemuel Dowdy, Attorney, 202326-2981, Division of Enforcement,
Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal
Trade Commission.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. Background
The FTC’s current rules require
disclosure of energy use (in watts), light
output (in lumens), and life (in hours)
on packaging for most consumer lamp
(light bulb) products.2 In the Energy
Independence and Security Act of
2007,3 Congress directed the FTC to
consider the effectiveness of these lamp
labeling requirements4 and alternative
labeling disclosures. In particular, the
Act calls on the Commission to consider
whether alternative labeling approaches
will help consumers better understand
new high-efficiency lamp products and
help them choose lamps that meet their
needs.
As a first step toward fulfilling this
mandate, the Commission published an
Advance Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking on July 18, 2008 (73 FR
40988) that provided background about
current FTC labeling rules for light
bulbs, the recent Congressional
mandate, the purpose of the FTC
labeling requirements, and various
labeling considerations. In the Notice
and at a public roundtable held on
September 15, 2008, the Commission
sought comment concerning the
effectiveness of current labeling
requirements, as well as whether
labeling alternatives would help
consumers in their purchasing
decisions. Specifically, the Commission
asked for comment on whether lamp
packages should disclose characteristics
such as lamp brightness, energy use,
operating cost, color temperature, and
lamp life. FTC staff, through its
contractor, also asked a consumer focus
group about various attributes of light
bulb labels.5
The Commission also requested that
commenters provide consumer research
related to lighting disclosures. However,
no commenters submitted or identified
any recent, comprehensive consumer
research. The Commission, therefore, is
planning to conduct a consumer
research study to aid in determining
what revisions, if any, it should make to
existing labeling requirements. The
Commission announced this consumer
research effort in a December 1, 2008
notice (73 FR 72800). The Commission
received no comments in response to
See 16 CFR Part 305.
See Section 321(b) of the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140 (§ 324(a)).
4 The current requirements do not impose a
uniform disclosure format. Instead, the labeling
requirements provide manufacturers flexibility
regarding the size, font, and style in which the
information is presented. See 16 CFR Part 305.
5 A report on the seven-person focus group,
prepared by FTC’s contractor, Synovate, Inc., is
available at (https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/
lightbulbs/index.shtm).
2
3
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that notice. The Commission will use
the results of these consumer research
results, along with other information
gathered through the roundtable and
written comments, to develop proposed
changes to current lamp labeling
requirements. This Notice provides
additional details about the proposed
research, an estimate of the burden
hours associated with the collection of
information for that activity, and an
invitation for comment on these issues.
II. FTC’s Proposed Consumer Study
The FTC proposes to collect
information from consumers to gather
data on the effectiveness of current lamp
labels and alternative label designs. The
proposed study will involve a sample of
approximately 5,600 respondents who
are at least 18 years old and recent or
likely future light bulb purchasers.6 The
FTC and its contractor will administer
questions to the respondents online over
the Internet.7 The study will employ
standard consumer survey
methodologies, including copy testing
and choice experiments, to explore how
different label designs impact consumer
decision-making regarding the purchase
of light bulb products. The study will
allow the FTC to explore the
performance of various label formats,
the labeling preferences of the
respondents, and their understanding of
relevant lighting concepts.
The study will use a basic label
design that includes certain information
disclosures on the front of the package,
as well as more comprehensive label
disclosures on the rear or side panel (see
sample labels at the end of this Notice).
The test labels on the front of the
package will include four (or fewer)
disclosures: light output (or
‘‘brightness’’), energy (e.g., efficiency,
cost), life, and color temperature. The
study will explore different approaches
for making these disclosures. For
instance, we will test respondents’
6 The FTC expects to study a stratified sample of
the adult United States population that is broadly
representative of consumer group attributes (e.g.,
geographic location, housing characteristics,
gender, age, education, and race/ethnicity) based on
the most recent Census Bureau’s Current Population
Survey and the Department of Energy’s Residential
Energy Consumption Survey. The contractor will
identify respondents using any relevant, preexisting
data in its Internet panel database and any
necessary additional screener questions. The
screener questions will help to ensure that the
demographic composition of the sample reasonably
matches that of the target population. Allowing for
non-responses, up to approximately 15,000
respondents will answer screener questions. This
number of respondents should enable the FTC to
obtain its target sample size of 5,600 individuals.
7 The FTC also will pretest the study on
approximately 25 individuals to ensure that all
questions are understood. The pretest participants
will be drawn from the target population.
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reviewing disclosures for all
hypothetical bulbs, the label treatment
will vary. The underlying questions for
every respondent, however, will remain
the same regardless of which label
treatment they view.
perception of energy use disclosures
displayed in the form of annual energy
(operating) cost, luminous efficacy
(lumens/watt), and a five-star rating
system. Table 1 below contains the list
of variations to be tested. Given the
small size of light bulb packaging and
the associated space constraints, the
information that can be included on the
front of the package is limited.
Therefore, we are not testing complex
scales or similar graphical formats that
would not fit easily on the front display
panel. The test label design will also
include a ‘‘Lighting Facts’’ label on the
rear or side panel. This ‘‘Lighting Facts’’
label is similar in appearance to the
‘‘Nutrition Facts’’ label required by the
Food and Drug Administration. The
label drafted for this study includes a
variety of information disclosures such
as brightness, life, energy use in watts,
voltage, luminous efficacy, and energy
cost.8
As discussed in more detail below,
the study will assign respondents into
groups (i.e., cells), each of which will be
assigned a different label design (i.e.,
treatment). The study will use
approximately six to twelve
hypothetical test light bulbs, each with
different performance characteristics
such as brightness, energy use, life, and
color temperature. While each cell will
answer the questionnaire while
A. Label Variations
The study will arrange respondents
into 15 to 20 cells of approximately 300
respondents each. Respondents in each
cell will view one of 15 to 20 randomlyassigned treatments. For example, one
group will answer the questionnaire
while viewing labels displaying the
current disclosure format, while another
group will view labels with an
alternative format.
Examples of the variables we will use
to create the treatments appear in Table
1 below, and include:
Color Temperature: The study will
explore three principal ways of
communicating color temperature on
the front package panel. One approach
involves the use of standard terms to
describe color temperature such as ‘‘soft
white’’ and ‘‘daylight.’’ The terms used
in the study are consistent with those in
existing industry consensus standards
and also previous ENERGY STAR
efforts.9 The second approach will
include a label that provides
information on color temperature
through six color-coded boxes, similar
to a system considered in previous
consumer research.10 The third
approach will include a basic ‘‘CoolWarm’’ scale as illustrated in Example
Label C at the end of this Notice. In
addition to these three approaches on
the front package panel, the ‘‘Lighting
Facts’’ label, on the back panel will
include information about color
temperature (e.g., 2700 K).
Five-Star Efficiency Rating: The study
will include some label designs that
display a five-star rating system for
energy efficiency as suggested by several
commenters.11 In assigning ratings to
the test models, the study uses the
rating system proposed by the Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC).12
Yearly Energy Cost Information: The
front package panel for some treatments
will include a yearly energy cost
estimate based on a 2008 national
average residential electricity cost of
10.8 cents/kWh and a usage rate of 3
hours per day.13
Watt-Equivalent Information: Several
treatments will include information on
the rear-panel ‘‘Lighting Facts’’ label
that provides the brightness (in lumens)
of typical incandescent bulbs at various
wattages. This wattage-equivalent
numbers are consistent with
information provided by the ENERGY
STAR program.14
TABLE 1 - EXAMPLES OF LABEL VARIABLES
Location/Descriptor
Variable
Variable
Front Panel-Light Output
Light Output in lumens
Annual energy costs
Energy efficiency in
lumens/watt
Front Panel-Life
Life in years
Variable
Brightness in lumens
Front Panel-Energy
Variable
Life in hours
8 A ‘‘Lighting Facts’’ label also could contain
additional information such as voluntary
disclosures provided by the manufacturer (e.g.,
minimum starting temperature), and other
information mandated by state or federal
requirements (e.g., hazardous content disclosures or
information required by the Federal
Communications Commission). However, because
such voluntary disclosures and state or federally
mandated disclosures will vary by manufacturer
and lamp technology, we are not including any
such disclosures on the test labels.
9 The color temperature descriptors used in the
study are based on ANSI C78.376-2001 and draft
‘‘ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for CFLs
[Compact Fluorescents]’’ (Fourth Draft, Feb. 27,
2007) (https://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/
prod_development/revisions/downloads/cfls/
Criteria_CFLs_Version4.0_draft4.pdf). The
Consortium for Energy Efficiency also suggested
such a system in their comments. See (https://
www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lightbulbs/53679500011.pdf). The descriptors are as follows: 2700K
(‘‘Soft White’’), 3000K (‘‘Warm White’’), 3500K
(‘‘White’’), 4100K (‘‘Cool White’’), 5000K
(‘‘Natural’’) and 6500K (‘‘Daylight’’).
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Energy efficiency based
on 5-star rating
10 Leslie, R., and Rea, M., ‘‘A System for
Communicating Color: What Do Consumers Think,’’
Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnical
Institute (https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/
lightingTransformation/colorCommunication/pdf/
whatDoConsumersThink.pdf). The study was
conducted with funding from the Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.
11 For example, see Natural Resources Defense
Council comments (https://www.ftc.gov/os/
comments/lightbulbs/536795-00003.pdf); American
Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy comments
(https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lightbulbs/
536795-00012.pdf); and Joint Comments from
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern
California Edison, Sempra Energy Utilities, and
Ecos Consulting comments (https://www.ftc.gov/os/
comments/lightbulbs/536795-00010.pdf).
12 See NRDC comments (https://www.ftc.gov/os/
comments/lightbulbs/536795-00003.pdf). In
particular, we have consulted NRDC’s proposed
‘‘Curved Efficacy Boundaries’’ system as illustrated
in Appendix 1 of its comments. This rating system
relies on luminous efficacy (lumens/watt) weighted
by lumens to create five efficiency categories for
lamps. For example, under this system, a typical
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Energy use in watts
incandescent (60-watts, 800 lumens) receives 1 star;
a typical compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb (13 watts,
800 lumens) receives 4 stars; and a typical LED
(light-emitting diode) bulb (7 watts, 800 lumens)
receives 5 stars.
13 See 73 FR 11406 (March 3, 2008) (DOE national
average energy cost figures for 2008). Similarly,
yearly bulb life information in the study will be
based on a usage rate of 3 hours per day.
14 See ENERGY STAR information at (https://
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfl) (e.g.,
800 lumens=60-watt incadenscent; 1110
lumens=75-watt incandescent). The disclosures of
such ‘‘watt-equivalence’’ (i.e., the light output
expressed by reference to the energy use of standard
incandescent bulbs) is currently standard practice
on CFL packages as manufacturers seek to help
consumers understand the light output of CFLs in
the context of an incandescent bulb’s energy use.
Due to space constraints, the study will not test
such information on the front panel. We anticipate,
however, that, regardless of any final FTC labeling
requirements, manufacturers of CFL’s will continue
to provide information about watt-equivalence on
their packaging as long as such information is
useful to consumers.
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TABLE 1 - EXAMPLES OF LABEL VARIABLES—Continued
Location/Descriptor
Variable
Variable
Front Panel-Color
Temperature
Word descriptor (e.g.,
‘‘soft white’’‘‘daylight’’)
Six colored-coded boxes
Cool-Warm Scale
Rear Panel
‘‘Lighting Facts’’ label
with watt equivalent information
‘‘Lighting Facts’’ label
without watt equivalent
information
No information on rear
panel
B. Test Lamp Models
The study will employ six to twelve
different hypothetical lamp models,
each with different brightness, energy
use, life, and color temperature
characteristics. Several of these
hypothetical models will be marked as
ENERGY STAR products where the
Variable
hypothetical criteria meet the ENERGY
STAR criteria. The various
characteristics of several hypothetical
models appear in Table 2. Because we
are considering a labeling approach that
will convey uniform information to
consumers regardless of the bulb type,
the hypothetical labels will not identify
Variable
the technology of the enclosed lamp
(e.g., incandescent, compact fluorescent,
or solid-state). However, the
hypothetical characteristics (e.g.,
lumens, energy use, and life) of the test
models will be consistent with the
characteristics of available bulb
technologies.
TABLE 2 - EXAMPLES OF TEST MODELS
Lumens
Watts
Life in
hours
Life in
years
Yearly
Energy
Cost
5 Star
Energy
Rating
ENERGY
STAR
Lumens/
Watt
Color
Temp
(in K)
Color
Temp
(name)
870
13
6000
5.5
$1.54
4
Yes
67
2700
Soft White
870
7
50000
45.7
$0.83
5
Yes
124
2700
Soft White
820
60
1500
1.4
$7.10
1
No
14
2700
Soft White
1690
100
750
0.7
$11.83
2
No
17
2700
Soft White
1750
26
6000
5.5
$3.07
4
Yes
68
2700
Soft White
1500
23
10000
9.1
$2.72
4
Yes
65
3500
White
1199
20
10000
9.1
$2.37
4
No
60
6500
Daylight
870
13
6000
5.5
$1.54
4
Yes
67
4100
Cool White
825
13
6000
5.5
$1.54
4
Yes
63
6500
Daylight
C. Questionnaire
All respondents will answer a single
series of questions about the
characteristics of the products described
in the labels and their preferences
pertaining to those products. The
questionnaire also will seek information
about respondents’ understanding of
different lighting concepts such as
lumens (i.e., light output) and color
temperature (i.e., the color
characteristics of a light source). Finally,
the study will seek to gauge whether
respondents have preferences regarding
how certain types of information are
communicated.15
Specifically, the issues to be
addressed by the questionnaire include:
Usefulness of current labeling: For
some treatments, respondents who are
recent lamp purchasers will answer
15 The study also will contain questions related
to respondents’ experiences with current light bulb
labels.
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questions about whether they can
remember seeing information on light
bulb packages and the usefulness of
that information in their purchasing
decisions.
Brightness (Light Output):
Respondents will answer questions
about the brightness (i.e., light output)
of different lamps after viewing
different package labels.
Energy Use: Respondents will answer
questions about the relative energy
use of different products after viewing
side-by-side comparisons of their
packaging.
Color temperature: Respondents will
answer questions about the correlated
color temperature of different lamps
(i.e., the light emitted by different
lamps) after viewing different package
labels.
ENERGY STAR interaction:
Respondents will be asked to identify
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ENERGY STAR lamps after comparing
different lamp labels.16
Credibility questions: Respondents
will be asked whether they find
certain information on packages
believable.
Willingness to pay questions:
Respondents will provide information
on their willingness to pay for models
of varying energy use.
Quality perception questions:
Respondents will be asked questions
related to possible quality differences
between bulbs that use different
amounts of energy. In particular, the
study will explore whether
respondents incorrectly interpret
certain types of energy use disclosures
16 For the purposes of the study, it will be
assumed that high efficiency bulbs consistent with
LED performance qualify for ENERGY STAR even
though the ENERGY STAR program has not
finalized criteria for LED bulbs at this time.
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as indicia of product quality (e.g.,
workmanship, performance).
Usefulness of disclosures:
Respondents will be asked to gauge
the usefulness of different types of
information (e.g., life, color
temperature, etc.) in their purchasing
decisions.
Usefulness of disclosure formats:
Respondents will answer questions
about whether they find specific types
of disclosures useful (e.g., energy cost,
five-stars, or lumens/watt).
The study results will allow the FTC
to compare the effectiveness of various
label approaches. In analyzing the
results, the FTC will conduct a
statistical comparison of respondent
answers across different test label
components. If there are differences in
accuracy rates for particular label
approaches, the direction and statistical
significance of these differences will aid
the FTC in assessing whether one type
of label design is more comprehensible
than alternative designs. The FTC will
use the study results in conjunction
with other information generated during
this rulemaking proceeding to develop
and propose changes to existing labeling
requirements, if such changes are
warranted.
III. Estimated Burden Hours17
The Commission estimates that the
cumulative total burden hours for the
17 Fractional hours are rounded up to the next
whole number.
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study will be approximately 2,972
hours. This total estimate is derived as
follows. First, the FTC plans to conduct
a pretest of 25 persons that will take
approximately 30 minutes on average
per person, resulting in approximately
13 burden hours (25 respondents x 30
minutes). Second, once the pretest is
complete, the FTC and its contractor
will ask screener questions of
approximately 15,000 respondents in
order to obtain the FTC’s target sample
size of 5,600 individuals. The FTC
estimates that it will take respondents
one minute to respond to the screener
questions. Thus, the total burden related
to the screener questions will be
approximately 250 hours (15,000
respondents x 1 minute). Finally, those
respondents who pass the screener
questions will answer the entire
questionnaire. Using a conservative
estimate of 6,500 individuals,18 the FTC
further estimates that participating in
the study will require an additional
2,709 hours (6,500 respondents x 25
minutes). Finally, the cost per
respondent should be negligible.
Participation is voluntary and will not
require start-up, capital, or labor
expenditures by respondents.
IV. Request for Comment
As required by Section 3506(c)(2)(A)
of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521, the
18 Although the target sample is 5,600
individuals, the procedures used by the contractor
may result in the collection of information from a
slightly higher number of individuals.
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FTC is providing this opportunity for
public comment before requesting
Office of Management and Budget
(‘‘OMB’’) approval of information
collection activities associated with the
study. Under the PRA, federal agencies
must obtain OMB approval for each
collection of information they conduct
or sponsor. ‘‘Collection of information’’
means agency requests or requirements
that members of the public submit
reports, keep records, or provide
information to a third party. 44 U.S.C.
3502(3); 5 CFR 1320.3(c).
Specifically, the FTC invites
comments on: (1) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the FTC, including whether
the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the FTC’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information; (3) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of
collecting information on those who
respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses. All
comments should be filed as prescribed
in the ADDRESSES section above, and
must be received on or before March 23,
2009.
BILLING CODE 6750–01–S
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 33 / Friday, February 20, 2009 / Notices
7904
David C. Shonka
Acting General Counsel
[FR Doc. E9–3645 Filed 2–19–09: 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750–01–C
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
[30Day–08–0494]
Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork
Reduction Act Review
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) publishes a list of
information collection requests under
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review by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) in compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35). To request a copy of these
requests, call the CDC Reports Clearance
Officer at (404) 639–5960 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Send written
comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington,
DC or by fax to (202) 395–6974. Written
comments should be received within 30
days of this notice.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 33 / Friday, February 20, 2009 / Notices
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 33 (Friday, February 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7894-7904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3645]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (``Commission'' or ``FTC'').
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FTC plans to conduct a consumer study to evaluate
alternatives to the current disclosures required for most consumer lamp
(i.e., light bulb) products. The Commission is examining the
effectiveness of current light bulb package labeling as directed by
Congress. Before conducting this study, the FTC is seeking public
comments on the proposed study pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act
(``PRA'').
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 23, 2009.
ADDRESSES: The Commission invites interested parties to submit written
comments electronically or in paper form. Comments should refer to
``Lamp Labeling Study, Project No. P084206'' to facilitate the
organization of comments. Please note that comments will be placed on
the public record of this proceeding--including on the publicly
accessible FTC website, at (https://www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm)
-- and, therefore, should not include any sensitive or confidential
information. In particular, comments should not include any sensitive
personal information, such as an individual's Social Security Number;
date of birth; driver's license number or other state identification
number, or foreign country equivalent; passport number; financial
account number; or credit or debit card number. Comments also should
not include any sensitive health information, such as medical records
or other individually identifiable health information. In addition,
comments should not include any ``[t]rade secrets and commercial or
financial information obtained from a person and privileged or
confidential. . . .,'' as provided in Section 6(f) of the FTC Act, 15
U.S.C. 46(f), and FTC Rule 4.10(a)(2), 16 CFR 4.10(a)(2). Comments
containing material for which confidential treatment is requested must
be filed in paper form, must be clearly labeled ``Confidential,'' and
must comply with FTC Rule 4.9(c).\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ FTC Rule 4.2(d), 16 CFR 4.2(d). The comment must be
accompanied by an explicit request for confidential treatment,
including the factual and legal basis for the request, and must
identify the specific portions of the comment to be withheld from
the public record. The request will be granted or denied by the
Commission's General Counsel, consistent with applicable law and the
public interest. See FTC Rule 4.9(c), 16 CFR 4.9(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Because paper mail addressed to the FTC is subject to delay due to
heightened security screening, please consider submitting your comments
in electronic form. Comments filed in electronic form should be
submitted by using the following weblink: (https://
secure.commentworks.com/ftc-lampstudy) (and following the
[[Page 7895]]
instructions on the web-based form). To ensure that the Commission
considers an electronic comment, you must file it on the web-based form
at the weblink : (https://secure.commentworks.com/ftc-lampstudy). If
this Notice appears at (https://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp),
you may also file an electronic comment through that website. The
Commission will consider all comments that regulations.gov forwards to
it.
A comment filed in paper form should include the reference ``Lamp
Labeling Study, Project No. P084206'' both in the text and on the
envelope, and should be mailed or delivered to the following address:
Federal Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135 (Annex
J), 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580. The FTC requests
that any comment filed in paper form be sent by courier or overnight
service, if possible, because U.S. postal mail in the Washington area
and at the Commission is subject to delay due to heightened security
precautions.
All comments should additionally be submitted to: Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for
the Federal Trade Commission. Comments should be submitted via
facsimile to (202) 395-5167 because U.S. Postal Mail is subject to
lengthy delays due to heightened security precautions.
The FTC Act and other laws the Commission administers permit the
collection of public comments to consider and use in this proceeding as
appropriate. The Commission will consider all timely and responsive
public comments that it receives, whether filed in paper or electronic
form. Comments received will be available to the public on the FTC
website, to the extent practicable, at (https://www.ftc.gov/os/
publiccomments.shtm). As a matter of discretion, the Commission makes
every effort to remove home contact information for individuals from
the public comments it receives before placing those comments on the
FTC website. More information, including routine uses permitted by the
Privacy Act, may be found in the FTC's privacy policy, at (https://
www.ftc.gov/ftc/privacy.shtm).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome, Attorney, 202-326-
2889, or Lemuel Dowdy, Attorney, 202-326-2981, Division of Enforcement,
Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The FTC's current rules require disclosure of energy use (in
watts), light output (in lumens), and life (in hours) on packaging for
most consumer lamp (light bulb) products.\2\ In the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007,\3\ Congress directed the FTC to consider the
effectiveness of these lamp labeling requirements\4\ and alternative
labeling disclosures. In particular, the Act calls on the Commission to
consider whether alternative labeling approaches will help consumers
better understand new high-efficiency lamp products and help them
choose lamps that meet their needs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ See 16 CFR Part 305.
\3\ See Section 321(b) of the Energy Independence and Security
Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140 (Sec. 324(a)).
\4\ The current requirements do not impose a uniform disclosure
format. Instead, the labeling requirements provide manufacturers
flexibility regarding the size, font, and style in which the
information is presented. See 16 CFR Part 305.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a first step toward fulfilling this mandate, the Commission
published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on July 18, 2008 (73
FR 40988) that provided background about current FTC labeling rules for
light bulbs, the recent Congressional mandate, the purpose of the FTC
labeling requirements, and various labeling considerations. In the
Notice and at a public roundtable held on September 15, 2008, the
Commission sought comment concerning the effectiveness of current
labeling requirements, as well as whether labeling alternatives would
help consumers in their purchasing decisions. Specifically, the
Commission asked for comment on whether lamp packages should disclose
characteristics such as lamp brightness, energy use, operating cost,
color temperature, and lamp life. FTC staff, through its contractor,
also asked a consumer focus group about various attributes of light
bulb labels.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ A report on the seven-person focus group, prepared by FTC's
contractor, Synovate, Inc., is available at (https://www.ftc.gov/os/
comments/lightbulbs/index.shtm).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission also requested that commenters provide consumer
research related to lighting disclosures. However, no commenters
submitted or identified any recent, comprehensive consumer research.
The Commission, therefore, is planning to conduct a consumer research
study to aid in determining what revisions, if any, it should make to
existing labeling requirements. The Commission announced this consumer
research effort in a December 1, 2008 notice (73 FR 72800). The
Commission received no comments in response to that notice. The
Commission will use the results of these consumer research results,
along with other information gathered through the roundtable and
written comments, to develop proposed changes to current lamp labeling
requirements. This Notice provides additional details about the
proposed research, an estimate of the burden hours associated with the
collection of information for that activity, and an invitation for
comment on these issues.
II. FTC's Proposed Consumer Study
The FTC proposes to collect information from consumers to gather
data on the effectiveness of current lamp labels and alternative label
designs. The proposed study will involve a sample of approximately
5,600 respondents who are at least 18 years old and recent or likely
future light bulb purchasers.\6\ The FTC and its contractor will
administer questions to the respondents online over the Internet.\7\
The study will employ standard consumer survey methodologies, including
copy testing and choice experiments, to explore how different label
designs impact consumer decision-making regarding the purchase of light
bulb products. The study will allow the FTC to explore the performance
of various label formats, the labeling preferences of the respondents,
and their understanding of relevant lighting concepts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ The FTC expects to study a stratified sample of the adult
United States population that is broadly representative of consumer
group attributes (e.g., geographic location, housing
characteristics, gender, age, education, and race/ethnicity) based
on the most recent Census Bureau's Current Population Survey and the
Department of Energy's Residential Energy Consumption Survey. The
contractor will identify respondents using any relevant, preexisting
data in its Internet panel database and any necessary additional
screener questions. The screener questions will help to ensure that
the demographic composition of the sample reasonably matches that of
the target population. Allowing for non-responses, up to
approximately 15,000 respondents will answer screener questions.
This number of respondents should enable the FTC to obtain its
target sample size of 5,600 individuals.
\7\ The FTC also will pretest the study on approximately 25
individuals to ensure that all questions are understood. The pretest
participants will be drawn from the target population.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The study will use a basic label design that includes certain
information disclosures on the front of the package, as well as more
comprehensive label disclosures on the rear or side panel (see sample
labels at the end of this Notice). The test labels on the front of the
package will include four (or fewer) disclosures: light output (or
``brightness''), energy (e.g., efficiency, cost), life, and color
temperature. The study will explore different approaches for making
these disclosures. For instance, we will test respondents'
[[Page 7896]]
perception of energy use disclosures displayed in the form of annual
energy (operating) cost, luminous efficacy (lumens/watt), and a five-
star rating system. Table 1 below contains the list of variations to be
tested. Given the small size of light bulb packaging and the associated
space constraints, the information that can be included on the front of
the package is limited. Therefore, we are not testing complex scales or
similar graphical formats that would not fit easily on the front
display panel. The test label design will also include a ``Lighting
Facts'' label on the rear or side panel. This ``Lighting Facts'' label
is similar in appearance to the ``Nutrition Facts'' label required by
the Food and Drug Administration. The label drafted for this study
includes a variety of information disclosures such as brightness, life,
energy use in watts, voltage, luminous efficacy, and energy cost.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ A ``Lighting Facts'' label also could contain additional
information such as voluntary disclosures provided by the
manufacturer (e.g., minimum starting temperature), and other
information mandated by state or federal requirements (e.g.,
hazardous content disclosures or information required by the Federal
Communications Commission). However, because such voluntary
disclosures and state or federally mandated disclosures will vary by
manufacturer and lamp technology, we are not including any such
disclosures on the test labels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As discussed in more detail below, the study will assign
respondents into groups (i.e., cells), each of which will be assigned a
different label design (i.e., treatment). The study will use
approximately six to twelve hypothetical test light bulbs, each with
different performance characteristics such as brightness, energy use,
life, and color temperature. While each cell will answer the
questionnaire while reviewing disclosures for all hypothetical bulbs,
the label treatment will vary. The underlying questions for every
respondent, however, will remain the same regardless of which label
treatment they view.
A. Label Variations
The study will arrange respondents into 15 to 20 cells of
approximately 300 respondents each. Respondents in each cell will view
one of 15 to 20 randomly-assigned treatments. For example, one group
will answer the questionnaire while viewing labels displaying the
current disclosure format, while another group will view labels with an
alternative format.
Examples of the variables we will use to create the treatments
appear in Table 1 below, and include:
Color Temperature: The study will explore three principal ways of
communicating color temperature on the front package panel. One
approach involves the use of standard terms to describe color
temperature such as ``soft white'' and ``daylight.'' The terms used in
the study are consistent with those in existing industry consensus
standards and also previous ENERGY STAR efforts.\9\ The second approach
will include a label that provides information on color temperature
through six color-coded boxes, similar to a system considered in
previous consumer research.\10\ The third approach will include a basic
``Cool-Warm'' scale as illustrated in Example Label C at the end of
this Notice. In addition to these three approaches on the front package
panel, the ``Lighting Facts'' label, on the back panel will include
information about color temperature (e.g., 2700 K).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ The color temperature descriptors used in the study are
based on ANSI C78.376-2001 and draft ``ENERGY STAR Program
Requirements for CFLs [Compact Fluorescents]'' (Fourth Draft, Feb.
27, 2007) (https://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/
revisions/downloads/cfls/Criteria_CFLs_Version4.0_draft4.pdf).
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency also suggested such a system in
their comments. See (https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lightbulbs/
536795-00011.pdf). The descriptors are as follows: 2700K (``Soft
White''), 3000K (``Warm White''), 3500K (``White''), 4100K (``Cool
White''), 5000K (``Natural'') and 6500K (``Daylight'').
\10\ Leslie, R., and Rea, M., ``A System for Communicating
Color: What Do Consumers Think,'' Lighting Research Center,
Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute (https://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/
lightingTransformation/colorCommunication/pdf/
whatDoConsumersThink.pdf). The study was conducted with funding from
the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five-Star Efficiency Rating: The study will include some label
designs that display a five-star rating system for energy efficiency as
suggested by several commenters.\11\ In assigning ratings to the test
models, the study uses the rating system proposed by the Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC).\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\11\ For example, see Natural Resources Defense Council comments
(https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lightbulbs/536795-00003.pdf);
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy comments (https://
www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lightbulbs/536795-00012.pdf); and Joint
Comments from Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California
Edison, Sempra Energy Utilities, and Ecos Consulting comments
(https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/lightbulbs/536795-00010.pdf).
\12\ See NRDC comments (https://www.ftc.gov/os/comments/
lightbulbs/536795-00003.pdf). In particular, we have consulted
NRDC's proposed ``Curved Efficacy Boundaries'' system as illustrated
in Appendix 1 of its comments. This rating system relies on luminous
efficacy (lumens/watt) weighted by lumens to create five efficiency
categories for lamps. For example, under this system, a typical
incandescent (60-watts, 800 lumens) receives 1 star; a typical
compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb (13 watts, 800 lumens) receives 4
stars; and a typical LED (light-emitting diode) bulb (7 watts, 800
lumens) receives 5 stars.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yearly Energy Cost Information: The front package panel for some
treatments will include a yearly energy cost estimate based on a 2008
national average residential electricity cost of 10.8 cents/kWh and a
usage rate of 3 hours per day.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ See 73 FR 11406 (March 3, 2008) (DOE national average
energy cost figures for 2008). Similarly, yearly bulb life
information in the study will be based on a usage rate of 3 hours
per day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Watt-Equivalent Information: Several treatments will include
information on the rear-panel ``Lighting Facts'' label that provides
the brightness (in lumens) of typical incandescent bulbs at various
wattages. This wattage-equivalent numbers are consistent with
information provided by the ENERGY STAR program.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ See ENERGY STAR information at (https://www.energystar.gov/
index.cfm?c=cfls.pr--cfl) (e.g., 800 lumens=60-watt incadenscent;
1110 lumens=75-watt incandescent). The disclosures of such ``watt-
equivalence'' (i.e., the light output expressed by reference to the
energy use of standard incandescent bulbs) is currently standard
practice on CFL packages as manufacturers seek to help consumers
understand the light output of CFLs in the context of an
incandescent bulb's energy use. Due to space constraints, the study
will not test such information on the front panel. We anticipate,
however, that, regardless of any final FTC labeling requirements,
manufacturers of CFL's will continue to provide information about
watt-equivalence on their packaging as long as such information is
useful to consumers.
TABLE 1 - Examples of Label Variables
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location/
Descriptor Variable Variable Variable Variable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Panel- Light Output Brightness ............ ............
Light Output in lumens in lumens
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Panel- Annual energy Energy Energy Energy use
Energy costs efficiency efficiency in watts
in lumens/ based on 5-
watt star rating
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Front Panel- Life in years Life in ............ ............
Life hours
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 7897]]
Front Panel- Word Six colored- Cool-Warm ............
Color descriptor coded boxes Scale
Temperature (e.g.,
``soft
white''``day
light'')
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rear Panel ``Lighting ``Lighting No ............
Facts'' Facts'' information
label with label on rear
watt without panel
equivalent watt
information equivalent
information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Test Lamp Models
The study will employ six to twelve different hypothetical lamp
models, each with different brightness, energy use, life, and color
temperature characteristics. Several of these hypothetical models will
be marked as ENERGY STAR products where the hypothetical criteria meet
the ENERGY STAR criteria. The various characteristics of several
hypothetical models appear in Table 2. Because we are considering a
labeling approach that will convey uniform information to consumers
regardless of the bulb type, the hypothetical labels will not identify
the technology of the enclosed lamp (e.g., incandescent, compact
fluorescent, or solid-state). However, the hypothetical characteristics
(e.g., lumens, energy use, and life) of the test models will be
consistent with the characteristics of available bulb technologies.
TABLE 2 - Examples of Test Models
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yearly 5 Star Color Color
Lumens Watts Life in Life in Energy Energy ENERGY Lumens/ Temp (in Temp
hours years Cost Rating STAR Watt K) (name)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
870 13 6000 5.5 $1.54 4 Yes 67 2700 Soft
White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
870 7 50000 45.7 $0.83 5 Yes 124 2700 Soft
White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
820 60 1500 1.4 $7.10 1 No 14 2700 Soft
White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1690 100 750 0.7 $11.83 2 No 17 2700 Soft
White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1750 26 6000 5.5 $3.07 4 Yes 68 2700 Soft
White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1500 23 10000 9.1 $2.72 4 Yes 65 3500 White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1199 20 10000 9.1 $2.37 4 No 60 6500 Daylight
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
870 13 6000 5.5 $1.54 4 Yes 67 4100 Cool
White
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
825 13 6000 5.5 $1.54 4 Yes 63 6500 Daylight
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Questionnaire
All respondents will answer a single series of questions about the
characteristics of the products described in the labels and their
preferences pertaining to those products. The questionnaire also will
seek information about respondents' understanding of different lighting
concepts such as lumens (i.e., light output) and color temperature
(i.e., the color characteristics of a light source). Finally, the study
will seek to gauge whether respondents have preferences regarding how
certain types of information are communicated.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ The study also will contain questions related to
respondents' experiences with current light bulb labels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifically, the issues to be addressed by the questionnaire
include:
Usefulness of current labeling: For some treatments, respondents who
are recent lamp purchasers will answer questions about whether they can
remember seeing information on light bulb packages and the usefulness
of that information in their purchasing decisions.
Brightness (Light Output): Respondents will answer questions about the
brightness (i.e., light output) of different lamps after viewing
different package labels.
Energy Use: Respondents will answer questions about the relative
energy use of different products after viewing side-by-side comparisons
of their packaging.
Color temperature: Respondents will answer questions about the
correlated color temperature of different lamps (i.e., the light
emitted by different lamps) after viewing different package labels.
ENERGY STAR interaction: Respondents will be asked to identify ENERGY
STAR lamps after comparing different lamp labels.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ For the purposes of the study, it will be assumed that high
efficiency bulbs consistent with LED performance qualify for ENERGY
STAR even though the ENERGY STAR program has not finalized criteria
for LED bulbs at this time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credibility questions: Respondents will be asked whether they find
certain information on packages believable.
Willingness to pay questions: Respondents will provide information on
their willingness to pay for models of varying energy use.
Quality perception questions: Respondents will be asked questions
related to possible quality differences between bulbs that use
different amounts of energy. In particular, the study will explore
whether respondents incorrectly interpret certain types of energy use
disclosures
[[Page 7898]]
as indicia of product quality (e.g., workmanship, performance).
Usefulness of disclosures: Respondents will be asked to gauge the
usefulness of different types of information (e.g., life, color
temperature, etc.) in their purchasing decisions.
Usefulness of disclosure formats: Respondents will answer questions
about whether they find specific types of disclosures useful (e.g.,
energy cost, five-stars, or lumens/watt).
The study results will allow the FTC to compare the effectiveness
of various label approaches. In analyzing the results, the FTC will
conduct a statistical comparison of respondent answers across different
test label components. If there are differences in accuracy rates for
particular label approaches, the direction and statistical significance
of these differences will aid the FTC in assessing whether one type of
label design is more comprehensible than alternative designs. The FTC
will use the study results in conjunction with other information
generated during this rulemaking proceeding to develop and propose
changes to existing labeling requirements, if such changes are
warranted.
III. Estimated Burden Hours\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ Fractional hours are rounded up to the next whole number.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission estimates that the cumulative total burden hours for
the study will be approximately 2,972 hours. This total estimate is
derived as follows. First, the FTC plans to conduct a pretest of 25
persons that will take approximately 30 minutes on average per person,
resulting in approximately 13 burden hours (25 respondents x 30
minutes). Second, once the pretest is complete, the FTC and its
contractor will ask screener questions of approximately 15,000
respondents in order to obtain the FTC's target sample size of 5,600
individuals. The FTC estimates that it will take respondents one minute
to respond to the screener questions. Thus, the total burden related to
the screener questions will be approximately 250 hours (15,000
respondents x 1 minute). Finally, those respondents who pass the
screener questions will answer the entire questionnaire. Using a
conservative estimate of 6,500 individuals,\18\ the FTC further
estimates that participating in the study will require an additional
2,709 hours (6,500 respondents x 25 minutes). Finally, the cost per
respondent should be negligible. Participation is voluntary and will
not require start-up, capital, or labor expenditures by respondents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\ Although the target sample is 5,600 individuals, the
procedures used by the contractor may result in the collection of
information from a slightly higher number of individuals.
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IV. Request for Comment
As required by Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-
3521, the FTC is providing this opportunity for public comment before
requesting Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') approval of
information collection activities associated with the study. Under the
PRA, federal agencies must obtain OMB approval for each collection of
information they conduct or sponsor. ``Collection of information''
means agency requests or requirements that members of the public submit
reports, keep records, or provide information to a third party. 44
U.S.C. 3502(3); 5 CFR 1320.3(c).
Specifically, the FTC invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the FTC, including whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the FTC's estimate of the burden
of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) ways to minimize the burden of collecting information on those who
respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic
submission of responses. All comments should be filed as prescribed in
the ADDRESSES section above, and must be received on or before March
23, 2009.
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David C. Shonka
Acting General Counsel
[FR Doc. E9-3645 Filed 2-19-09: 8:45 am]
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