Public Workshop Examining Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, 14092-14094 [2023-04589]
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14092
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 7, 2023 / Proposed Rules
III. Proposed Action
The NRC is requesting public
comments on the draft RIS. All
comments that are to receive
consideration in the final RIS must be
submitted electronically or in writing as
indicated in the ADDRESSES section of
this document. The NRC staff will make
a final determination regarding issuance
of the RIS after it considers any public
comments received in response to this
request.
Dated: March 1, 2023.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Lisa M. Regner,
Chief, Generic Communication and Operating
Experience Branch, Division of Reactor
Oversight, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2023–04601 Filed 3–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Changed Systems at the Beginning of
the Type Certificate Amendment
Process for Transport Category Aircraft,
was published in the Federal Register
on March 2, 2023 (88 FR 13071). The
original document contained an
incorrect URL for Aviation Safety Draft
Documents Open for Comment.
Correction
In the Federal Register of March 2,
2023 (88 FR 13071), make the following
correction:
1. On page 13071, in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, Discussion
section, third sentence, correct the URL
to read ‘‘https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/
draft_docs’’.
Issued in Washington, DC, on March 2,
2023.
James D. Foltz,
Acting Manager, Strategic Policy Management
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–04658 Filed 3–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Parts 21, 25, and 29
[Docket No. FAA–2023–0515]
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
Draft Policy Statement Regarding
Submission of Outline of New and
Changed Systems at the Beginning of
the Type Certificate Amendment
Process for Transport Category
Aircraft; Correction
16 CFR Part 260
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notification of availability,
request for comments; correction.
AGENCY:
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Background
Draft Policy Statement Regarding
Submission of Outline of New and
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Public Workshop Examining Guides
for the Use of Environmental Marketing
Claims
Federal Trade Commission.
Proposed rule; public meeting
(workshop).
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The FAA published a
document in the Federal Register on
March 2, 2023, inviting the public to
submit comments on the draft policy
statement regarding Submission of
Outline of New and Changed Systems at
the Beginning of the Type Certificate
Amendment Process for Transport
Category Aircraft. The document
contained an incorrect uniform resource
locator (URL).
DATES: This correction is effective on
March 7, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue
McCormick, Strategic Policy Systems
Standards Section, AIR–619, Strategic
Policy Management Branch, Policy and
Innovation Division, Aircraft
Certification Service, by email at
susan.mccormick@faa.gov, or by phone
at (206) 231–3242.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
RIN 3084–AB15
The Federal Trade
Commission (‘‘FTC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
plans to host a public workshop on May
23, 2023, to examine ‘‘recyclable’’
advertising claims. The workshop is a
component of the Commission’s
recently announced regulatory review of
the Guides for the Use of Environmental
Marketing Claims.
DATES: The public workshop will be
held on May 23, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. ET at the Constitution Center
(first floor conference rooms), 400
Seventh St. SW, Washington, DC 20024.
The workshop will also be available for
viewing via live webcast at https://
www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2023/
05/talking-trash-ftc-recyclable-claimsgreen-guides. Any written comments
related to the issues discussed at the
workshop must be received by June 13,
2023.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file a
comment by following the instructions
in Part IV of the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section below.
SUMMARY:
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The
workshop is open to the public and
there is no fee to attend. The FTC also
plans to make this workshop available
via webcast (see https://www.ftc.gov/
news-events/events/2023/05/talkingtrash-ftc-recyclable-claims-greenguides). All in-person attendees will be
required to show a valid photo
identification, such as a driver’s license,
prior to admittance to the Conference
Center. Pre-registration is not necessary
to attend.
The FTC Act and other laws we
administer permit the Commission to
collect your contact information and
any comments you submit for
consideration and use in this
proceeding as appropriate. For
additional information, including
routine uses permitted by the Privacy
Act, see the Commission’s privacy
policy at https://www.ftc.gov/siteinformation/privacy-policy.
This event is open to the public and
may be photographed, videotaped,
webcast, or otherwise recorded. By
participating in this event, you are
agreeing that your image—and anything
you say or submit—may be posted
indefinitely at www.ftc.gov or on one of
the Commission’s publicly available
social media sites.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hampton Newsome (202–326–2889), or
Julia Solomon Ensor (202–326–2377),
Division of Enforcement, Bureau of
Consumer Protection, Federal Trade
Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20580.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
I. Regulatory Review of the Green
Guides
On December 20, 2022, the
Commission published in the Federal
Register a document announcing a
review of the agency’s Guides for Use of
Environmental Marketing Claims, 16
CFR part 260 (‘‘Green Guides’’ or the
‘‘Guides’’).1 This proceeding is part of
the Commission’s periodic review of all
rules and guides to: (1) examine their
efficacy, costs, and benefits; and (2)
determine whether to retain, modify, or
rescind them.
First issued in 1992 2 and most
recently revised in 2012,3 the Green
Guides address the applicability of
section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(a)
(‘‘section 5’’) to environmental
advertising and labeling claims.4 The
1 87
FR 77766 (Dec. 20, 2022).
FR 36363 (Aug. 13, 1992).
3 77 FR 62122 (Oct. 11, 2012).
4 The FTC administers several other
environmental and energy-related rules and guides.
See Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising
2 57
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 7, 2023 / Proposed Rules
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Guides outline general principles
applicable to all environmental
marketing claims and provide specific
guidance regarding many common
environmental benefit claims. However,
as administrative interpretations of the
law, the Guides are not independently
enforceable, nor do they represent the
only permissible approach to making
nondeceptive environmental benefit
claims.5 In any enforcement action, the
Commission must prove the challenged
act or practice is unfair or deceptive in
violation of section 5 of the FTC Act.
In the December 2022 publication
initiating the current review, the
Commission sought comment on several
overarching issues, including the
continuing need for the Guides, their
economic impact, and their effect on
preventing deceptive advertising claims.
The publication also invited comment
on the Guides’ interaction with other
environmental marketing regulations,
and whether the Commission should
consider rulemaking to establish
independently enforceable requirements
to address unfair and deceptive
environmental claims. Finally, because
the Commission seeks to ensure the
Guides appropriately respond to
changes in consumer perception, the
Commission solicited consumer survey
evidence and consumer perception data
addressing environmental claims,
including recyclable claims.
II. Recycling Workshop
As part of the Commission’s 2012
review of the Guides, staff held several
workshops on issues of concern. As part
of its current review, the FTC plans to
hold a workshop examining
‘‘recyclable’’ claims. The workshop will
cover such topics as: the current state of
recycling practices and recycling-related
advertising in the U.S.; consumer
perception of current and emerging
recycling-related claims; and the need
for any updates or other changes to the
Green Guides related to recycling
claims. The event is likely to include
panels on these topics. The FTC will
publish a more detailed agenda in
advance of the scheduled workshop.
The December 2022 publication
announcing the current review sought
comment on several questions related to
‘‘recyclable’’ claims. Specifically, the
Commission asked: Should the
for New Automobiles (16 CFR part 259), Energy
Labeling Rule (16 CFR part 305), Fuel Rating Rule
(16 CFR part 306), Alternative Fuels and Alternative
Fueled Vehicles Rule (16 CFR part 309), Recycled
Oil Rule (16 CFR part 311), and Labeling and
Advertising of Home Insulation Rule (16 CFR part
460).
5 The Guides do not establish standards for
environmental performance or prescribe testing
protocols.
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Commission revise the Guides to
include updated guidance on
‘‘recyclable’’ claims? If so, why, and
what guidance should be provided? If
not, why not? What evidence supports
your proposed revision(s)? What
evidence is available concerning
consumer understanding of the term
‘‘recyclable’’? What evidence constitutes
a reasonable basis to support a
‘‘recyclable’’ claim? The December 2022
publication also explained that the
Guides state marketers may make an
unqualified ‘‘recyclable’’ claim when
recycling facilities are available to a
substantial majority of consumers or
communities where the item is sold.
‘‘Substantial majority’’ is defined as
60%. Should the Guides be revised to
update the 60% threshold? If so, why,
and what guidance should be provided?
If not, why not? What evidence supports
your proposed revision? Is there any
recent consumer perception research
relevant to the 60% threshold? Should
the Guides be revised to include
guidance related to unqualified
‘‘recyclable’’ claims for items collected
by recycling programs for a substantial
majority of consumers or communities
but not ultimately recycled due to
market demand, budgetary constraints,
or other factors? If so, why, and what
guidance should be provided? If not,
why not? What evidence supports your
proposed revision? These and other
questions may be addressed at the
workshop.
III. Public Participation Information
A. Workshop Attendance
The workshop is free and open to the
public and will be held in person and
webcast live on the FTC’s website. This
event may be photographed, videotaped,
webcast, or otherwise recorded. By
participating in this event, you are
agreeing that your image—and anything
you say or submit—may be posted
indefinitely at https://www.ftc.gov or on
one of the Commission’s publicly
available social media sites.
B. Panelists
The workshop will be organized into
panels that will address the designated
topics. FTC staff will select the
panelists. Other attendees or interested
stakeholders will have an opportunity to
comment and ask questions. The
Commission will place a transcript of
the proceeding on the public record.
Disclosing funding sources promotes
transparency, ensures objectivity, and
maintains the public’s trust. Panelists
will be required to disclose the source
of any support they received in
connection with participation at the
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14093
workshop. This information will be
included in the published panelist bios
as part of the workshop record.
C. Electronic and Paper Comments
The submission of comments is not
required for participation in the
workshop. If a person wishes to submit
paper or electronic comments related to
the issues discussed at the workshop,
such comments should be filed as
prescribed in Part IV of this document
(directly below) and must be received
on or before June 13, 2023.
IV. Filing Comments
The Commission invites comments
only on the specific issues discussed at
the Workshop. You can file a comment
online or on paper. The deadline to file
a comment is June 13, 2023. Write
‘‘Green Guides—Recycling Workshop,
16 CFR part 260, Project No. P954501’’
on your comment. Your comment—
including your name and your state—
will be placed on the public record of
this proceeding, including the https://
www.regulations.gov website.
Postal mail addressed to the
Commission is subject to delay due to
heightened security screening. As a
result, we strongly encourage you to
submit your comments online. To make
sure the Commission considers your
online comment, you must file it
through the https://www.regulations.gov
website by following the instructions on
the web-based form provided.
Because your comment will be placed
on the public record, you are solely
responsible for making sure that your
comment does not include any sensitive
or confidential information. In
particular, your comment should not
include any sensitive personal
information, such as your or anyone
else’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. You are also solely
responsible for making sure that your
comment does not include any sensitive
health information, such as medical
records or other individually
identifiable health information. In
addition, your comment should not
include any ‘‘trade secret or any
commercial or financial information
which . . . is privileged or
confidential’’—as provided by 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)—
including in particular competitively
sensitive information such as costs,
sales statistics, inventories, formulas,
patterns, devices, manufacturing
processes, or customer names.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 44 / Tuesday, March 7, 2023 / Proposed Rules
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),
16 CFR 4.9(c). In particular, the written
request for confidential treatment that
accompanies the comment must include
the factual and legal basis for the
request, and it must identify the specific
portions of the comments to be withheld
from the public record.6 Your comment
will be kept confidential only if the
General Counsel grants your request in
accordance with the law and the public
interest. Once your comment has been
posted on the https://
www.regulations.gov website—as legally
required by FTC Rule 4.9(b)—we cannot
redact or remove your comment from
the FTC website, unless you submit a
confidentiality request that meets the
requirements for such treatment under
FTC Rule 4.9(c), and the General
Counsel grants that request.
If you file your comment on paper,
write ‘‘Green Guides—Recycling
Workshop, 16 CFR part 260, Project No.
P954501’’ on your comment and on the
envelope, and mail your comment to the
following address: Federal Trade
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite CC–
5610 (Annex F), Washington, DC 20580,
or deliver your comment to the
following address: Federal Trade
Commission, Office of the Secretary,
Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW, 5th
Floor, Suite 5610 (Annex F). If possible,
submit your paper comment or request
to the Commission by courier or
overnight service.
Visit the Commission website at
https://www.ftc.gov to read this
document and the news release
describing it. The FTC Act and other
laws that 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 on or before June 13, 2023. For
information on the Commission’s
privacy policy, including routine uses
permitted by the Privacy Act, see
https://www.ftc.gov/site-information/
privacy-policy.
By direction of the Commission.
April J. Tabor,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023–04589 Filed 3–6–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750–01–P
6 See
16 CFR 4.9(c).
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Worker’s Compensation
Programs
20 CFR Part 726
RIN 1240–AA16
Black Lung Benefits Act: Authorization
of Self-Insurers
Office of Workers’
Compensation Programs, Labor.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking;
extension of comment period.
AGENCY:
The Department of Labor is
extending the comment period for a
proposed rule that would update the
process for coal mine operators to apply
for authorization to self-insure, the
requirements operators must meet to
qualify to self-insure, the amount of
security self-insured operators must
provide, and the process for operators to
appeal determinations made by the
Office of Workers’ Compensation
Programs (OWCP). Since the proposed
rule was published, the Department has
received multiple requests from
interested parties for the Department to
provide additional time for them to
develop and submit their comments on
the proposal. In response to those
requests, the Department is extending
the comment period.
DATES: The comment period for the
proposed rule published on January 19,
2023, at 88 FR 3349, is extended.
Written comments on the proposed rule
must be received by April 19, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit written
comments by any of the following
methods. To facilitate receipt and
processing of comments, OWCP
encourages interested parties to submit
their comments electronically.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions on the website for
submitting comments.
• Facsimile: (202) 693–1395 (this is
not a toll-free number). Only comments
of ten or fewer pages, including a fax
cover sheet and attachments, if any, will
be accepted by fax.
• Regular Mail/Hand Delivery/
Courier: Submit comments on paper to
the Division of Coal Mine Workers’
Compensation, Office of Workers’
Compensation Programs, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue NW, Suite S3229–DCWMC,
Washington, DC 20210. The
Department’s receipt of U.S. mail may
be significantly delayed due to security
procedures. You must take this into
consideration when preparing to meet
the deadline for submitting comments.
SUMMARY:
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Instructions: Your submission must
include the agency name and the
Regulatory Information Number (RIN)
for this rulemaking. Caution: All
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov. Please do not
include any personally identifiable or
confidential business information you
do not want publicly disclosed.
Docket: For access to the rulemaking
docket and to read background
documents or comments received, go to
https://www.regulations.gov. Although
some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) may not be available through
the website, the entire rulemaking
record, including any copyrighted
material, will be available for inspection
at OWCP. Please contact the individual
named below if you would like to
inspect the record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Chance, Director, Division of
Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation,
Office of Workers’ Compensation
Programs, U.S. Department of Labor,
200 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite
S3229–DCWMC, Washington, DC
20210. Telephone: 1–800–347–2502.
This is a toll-free number. TTY/TDD
callers may dial toll-free 1–877–889–
5627 for further information.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Black
Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) requires every
coal mine operator to secure the
payment of benefits for which it may be
found liable either by purchasing
commercial insurance or by qualifying
as a self-insurer ‘‘in accordance with
regulations prescribed by the
Secretary.’’ 30 U.S.C. 933(a); see also 30
U.S.C. 932(b); 20 CFR 726.1. On January
19, 2023, the Department issued a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to
update the process and requirements for
coal mine operators to apply for and
receive authorization to self-insure their
liabilities under the BLBA. The public
comment period for the NPRM was set
to close on March 20, 2023. However,
OWCP has received requests from
several stakeholders to extend the
comment period by 60 days. The
stakeholders explained that they need
additional time to review the NPRM,
assess its impacts on their operations or
members’ operations, gather information
on the availability and cost of surety
bonds, and prepare meaningful
comments.
OWCP agrees to an extension and
believes a 30-day extension of the
public comment period is sufficient and
strikes an appropriate balance between
the agency’s need for timely input and
stakeholders’ requests for additional
time to prepare comprehensive
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 7, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14092-14094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04589]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 260
RIN 3084-AB15
Public Workshop Examining Guides for the Use of Environmental
Marketing Claims
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule; public meeting (workshop).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') plans
to host a public workshop on May 23, 2023, to examine ``recyclable''
advertising claims. The workshop is a component of the Commission's
recently announced regulatory review of the Guides for the Use of
Environmental Marketing Claims.
DATES: The public workshop will be held on May 23, 2023, from 8:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. ET at the Constitution Center (first floor conference
rooms), 400 Seventh St. SW, Washington, DC 20024. The workshop will
also be available for viewing via live webcast at https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2023/05/talking-trash-ftc-recyclable-claims-green-guides. Any written comments related to the issues discussed at the
workshop must be received by June 13, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Interested parties may file a comment by following the
instructions in Part IV of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: The workshop is open to the public and there
is no fee to attend. The FTC also plans to make this workshop available
via webcast (see https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2023/05/talking-trash-ftc-recyclable-claims-green-guides). All in-person
attendees will be required to show a valid photo identification, such
as a driver's license, prior to admittance to the Conference Center.
Pre-registration is not necessary to attend.
The FTC Act and other laws we administer permit the Commission to
collect your contact information and any comments you submit for
consideration and use in this proceeding as appropriate. For additional
information, including routine uses permitted by the Privacy Act, see
the Commission's privacy policy at https://www.ftc.gov/site-information/privacy-policy.
This event is open to the public and may be photographed,
videotaped, webcast, or otherwise recorded. By participating in this
event, you are agreeing that your image_and anything you say or
submit_may be posted indefinitely at www.ftc.gov or on one of the
Commission's publicly available social media sites.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hampton Newsome (202-326-2889), or
Julia Solomon Ensor (202-326-2377), Division of Enforcement, Bureau of
Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20580.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Regulatory Review of the Green Guides
On December 20, 2022, the Commission published in the Federal
Register a document announcing a review of the agency's Guides for Use
of Environmental Marketing Claims, 16 CFR part 260 (``Green Guides'' or
the ``Guides'').\1\ This proceeding is part of the Commission's
periodic review of all rules and guides to: (1) examine their efficacy,
costs, and benefits; and (2) determine whether to retain, modify, or
rescind them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 87 FR 77766 (Dec. 20, 2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
First issued in 1992 \2\ and most recently revised in 2012,\3\ the
Green Guides address the applicability of section 5 of the FTC Act, 15
U.S.C. 45(a) (``section 5'') to environmental advertising and labeling
claims.\4\ The
[[Page 14093]]
Guides outline general principles applicable to all environmental
marketing claims and provide specific guidance regarding many common
environmental benefit claims. However, as administrative
interpretations of the law, the Guides are not independently
enforceable, nor do they represent the only permissible approach to
making nondeceptive environmental benefit claims.\5\ In any enforcement
action, the Commission must prove the challenged act or practice is
unfair or deceptive in violation of section 5 of the FTC Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 57 FR 36363 (Aug. 13, 1992).
\3\ 77 FR 62122 (Oct. 11, 2012).
\4\ The FTC administers several other environmental and energy-
related rules and guides. See Guide Concerning Fuel Economy
Advertising for New Automobiles (16 CFR part 259), Energy Labeling
Rule (16 CFR part 305), Fuel Rating Rule (16 CFR part 306),
Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles Rule (16 CFR part
309), Recycled Oil Rule (16 CFR part 311), and Labeling and
Advertising of Home Insulation Rule (16 CFR part 460).
\5\ The Guides do not establish standards for environmental
performance or prescribe testing protocols.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the December 2022 publication initiating the current review, the
Commission sought comment on several overarching issues, including the
continuing need for the Guides, their economic impact, and their effect
on preventing deceptive advertising claims. The publication also
invited comment on the Guides' interaction with other environmental
marketing regulations, and whether the Commission should consider
rulemaking to establish independently enforceable requirements to
address unfair and deceptive environmental claims. Finally, because the
Commission seeks to ensure the Guides appropriately respond to changes
in consumer perception, the Commission solicited consumer survey
evidence and consumer perception data addressing environmental claims,
including recyclable claims.
II. Recycling Workshop
As part of the Commission's 2012 review of the Guides, staff held
several workshops on issues of concern. As part of its current review,
the FTC plans to hold a workshop examining ``recyclable'' claims. The
workshop will cover such topics as: the current state of recycling
practices and recycling-related advertising in the U.S.; consumer
perception of current and emerging recycling-related claims; and the
need for any updates or other changes to the Green Guides related to
recycling claims. The event is likely to include panels on these
topics. The FTC will publish a more detailed agenda in advance of the
scheduled workshop.
The December 2022 publication announcing the current review sought
comment on several questions related to ``recyclable'' claims.
Specifically, the Commission asked: Should the Commission revise the
Guides to include updated guidance on ``recyclable'' claims? If so,
why, and what guidance should be provided? If not, why not? What
evidence supports your proposed revision(s)? What evidence is available
concerning consumer understanding of the term ``recyclable''? What
evidence constitutes a reasonable basis to support a ``recyclable''
claim? The December 2022 publication also explained that the Guides
state marketers may make an unqualified ``recyclable'' claim when
recycling facilities are available to a substantial majority of
consumers or communities where the item is sold. ``Substantial
majority'' is defined as 60%. Should the Guides be revised to update
the 60% threshold? If so, why, and what guidance should be provided? If
not, why not? What evidence supports your proposed revision? Is there
any recent consumer perception research relevant to the 60% threshold?
Should the Guides be revised to include guidance related to unqualified
``recyclable'' claims for items collected by recycling programs for a
substantial majority of consumers or communities but not ultimately
recycled due to market demand, budgetary constraints, or other factors?
If so, why, and what guidance should be provided? If not, why not? What
evidence supports your proposed revision? These and other questions may
be addressed at the workshop.
III. Public Participation Information
A. Workshop Attendance
The workshop is free and open to the public and will be held in
person and webcast live on the FTC's website. This event may be
photographed, videotaped, webcast, or otherwise recorded. By
participating in this event, you are agreeing that your image--and
anything you say or submit--may be posted indefinitely at https://www.ftc.gov or on one of the Commission's publicly available social
media sites.
B. Panelists
The workshop will be organized into panels that will address the
designated topics. FTC staff will select the panelists. Other attendees
or interested stakeholders will have an opportunity to comment and ask
questions. The Commission will place a transcript of the proceeding on
the public record.
Disclosing funding sources promotes transparency, ensures
objectivity, and maintains the public's trust. Panelists will be
required to disclose the source of any support they received in
connection with participation at the workshop. This information will be
included in the published panelist bios as part of the workshop record.
C. Electronic and Paper Comments
The submission of comments is not required for participation in the
workshop. If a person wishes to submit paper or electronic comments
related to the issues discussed at the workshop, such comments should
be filed as prescribed in Part IV of this document (directly below) and
must be received on or before June 13, 2023.
IV. Filing Comments
The Commission invites comments only on the specific issues
discussed at the Workshop. You can file a comment online or on paper.
The deadline to file a comment is June 13, 2023. Write ``Green Guides--
Recycling Workshop, 16 CFR part 260, Project No. P954501'' on your
comment. Your comment--including your name and your state--will be
placed on the public record of this proceeding, including the https://www.regulations.gov website.
Postal mail addressed to the Commission is subject to delay due to
heightened security screening. As a result, we strongly encourage you
to submit your comments online. To make sure the Commission considers
your online comment, you must file it through the https://www.regulations.gov website by following the instructions on the web-
based form provided.
Because your comment will be placed on the public record, you are
solely responsible for making sure that your comment does not include
any sensitive or confidential information. In particular, your comment
should not include any sensitive personal information, such as your or
anyone else'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. You are also solely responsible for making sure that
your comment does not include any sensitive health information, such as
medical records or other individually identifiable health information.
In addition, your comment should not include any ``trade secret or any
commercial or financial information which . . . is privileged or
confidential''--as provided by 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)--including in
particular competitively sensitive information such as costs, sales
statistics, inventories, formulas, patterns, devices, manufacturing
processes, or customer names.
[[Page 14094]]
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), 16 CFR 4.9(c).
In particular, the written request for confidential treatment that
accompanies the comment must include the factual and legal basis for
the request, and it must identify the specific portions of the comments
to be withheld from the public record.\6\ Your comment will be kept
confidential only if the General Counsel grants your request in
accordance with the law and the public interest. Once your comment has
been posted on the https://www.regulations.gov website--as legally
required by FTC Rule 4.9(b)--we cannot redact or remove your comment
from the FTC website, unless you submit a confidentiality request that
meets the requirements for such treatment under FTC Rule 4.9(c), and
the General Counsel grants that request.
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\6\ See 16 CFR 4.9(c).
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If you file your comment on paper, write ``Green Guides--Recycling
Workshop, 16 CFR part 260, Project No. P954501'' on your comment and on
the envelope, and mail your comment to the following address: Federal
Trade Commission, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW,
Suite CC-5610 (Annex F), Washington, DC 20580, or deliver your comment
to the following address: Federal Trade Commission, Office of the
Secretary, Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW, 5th Floor, Suite 5610
(Annex F). If possible, submit your paper comment or request to the
Commission by courier or overnight service.
Visit the Commission website at https://www.ftc.gov to read this
document and the news release describing it. The FTC Act and other laws
that 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 on or before June 13, 2023. For information on the
Commission's privacy policy, including routine uses permitted by the
Privacy Act, see https://www.ftc.gov/site-information/privacy-policy.
By direction of the Commission.
April J. Tabor,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-04589 Filed 3-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P