Federal Trade Commission November 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') amends the Used Motor Vehicle Trade Regulation Rule (``Rule'' or ``Used Car Rule''). The Final Rule adopts the following proposals: adding a Buyers Guide statement recommending that consumers obtain a vehicle history report (``VHR''), and directing them to an FTC website for more information about VHRs and safety recalls; revising the Buyers Guide statement describing the meaning of an ``As Is'' sale in which a dealer offers a vehicle for sale without a warranty; adding boxes to the front of the Buyers Guide where dealers can indicate additional warranty and service contract coverage; adding a Spanish statement to the English Buyers Guide advising consumers to ask for a copy of the Buyers Guide in Spanish if the dealer is conducting the sale in Spanish (and providing a Spanish translation of the optional consumer acknowledgment of receipt of the Buyers Guide); and adding air bags and catalytic converters to the list of major defects on the back of the Buyers Guide.

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the complaint and the terms of the consent order embodied in the consent agreementthat would settle these allegations.

The information collection requirements described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (``OMB'') for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (``PRA''). The FTC is seeking public comments on its proposal to extend for an additional three years the current PRA clearance for reporting requirements in its Antitrust Improvements Act Rules (``HSR Rules'') and corresponding Notification and Report Form for Certain Mergers and Acquisitions (``Notification and Report Form''). That clearance expires on December 31, 2016.