The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened a public consultation on the future of the Leather Guides. Issued on February 6, 2019, the FTC will accept comments for sixty days on whether there is a continued need for the guides covering Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products (Leather Guides).
As part of this process, the Commission is also asking stakeholders:
• If deceptive or unfair advertising and marketing practices are being used to sell leather and imitation leather products
• Whether the Leather Guides should be expanded to cover products not currently included – e.g. automotive and furniture upholstery products
The Leather Guides were published in 1996 to provide guidance on the rules governing labeling for leather and imitation leather products. They address misrepresentations about the composition and characteristics of certain leather and imitation leather products, and state that non-leather content should be identified if it appears to be leather but isn’t.
The guides apply to the manufacture, promotion, and distribution of leather and imitation leather purses, luggage, wallets, footwear, and similar products, with the intention that false information or deceptive practices are not being used to sell products, and to promote truthful, non-misleading advertising to consumers.
Comments must be received by FTC via www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments
SGS Softlines Services
SGS has a worldwide network of over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories specializing in softline testing. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive range of physical, chemical and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance and compliance with international, industrial and regulatory standards worldwide. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services. [www.sgs.com/softlines]
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For further information contact:
Louann Spirito
Consumer and Retail — Softlines
US & Canada Softlines Business Head
Tel: +1 973 461 7919
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world. |
