On May 23, 2023, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a public workshop to examine recyclable claims as part of its review of the Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides). The workshop was split into three panels, discussing current trends, consumer perception, and potential updates to the Commission’s current guidance
Advertising
FTC Cracks Down on Another “Made in USA” Claim
The FTC has said it numerous times: If your products – including their components – are not actually “all or virtually all” made in America, marketers should not label them as “Made in USA (MUSA).” The FTC’s latest enforcement action for false MUSA advertising against North Carolina-based motocross and ATV parts company, Cycra, is a…
The FTC Notices on Claim Substantiation: A Reminder of a Nearly 15-Year-Old Trend
Late last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it had sent a “Notice of Penalty Offenses” on claim substantiation to around 670 companies. While this notice tactic is not a new tool, it has been reinvigorated following the 2021 Supreme Court decision in AMG Cap. Mgmt., which led to the FTC losing its…
FTC to Hold Workshop on “Recyclable” Claims
On December 14, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it would be reviewing its Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Claims (Green Guides) to assess the need for updates and changes to the Guides. First published in 1992, the Green Guides address a number of environmental marketing claims, reflecting the FTC’s interpretation…
FTC Starts Long-Awaited Green Guides Review
Update: The formal Federal Register notice was published on December 20, 2022, and comments are due on February 21, 2023.
On December 14, 2022, at an open meeting of the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”), FTC Commissioners voted unanimously to publish a Notice in the Federal Register announcing a Request for Public Comments on…
FTC Proposes Trade Regulation Rule on Deceptive Reviews
Deceptive reviews and endorsements have been an increasing area of scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission). In the last few years, the Commission has brought myriad complaints against companies for engaging in such practices. Last year, the FTC resurrected its long-dormant Penalty Offense Authority, warning more than 700 companies in a…
Deadline Set for Comments on Proposed Updates to FTC Endorsement Guides
As we previously reported, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeks comments on proposed updates to its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (Endorsement Guides). The FTC’s notice was published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 44288), and comments must be received by September 26, 2022.…
FTC Brings Right to Repair Complaints Against Three Companies
Following its report to Congress in 2021 on what it characterized as unlawful repair restrictions, Nixing the Fix, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) announced that it would prioritize investigations into limits on consumer repair rights pursuant to its authority under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (Warranty Act) and Section 5 of the FTC…
FTC Requests Comments on Proposed Changes to Endorsement Guides and .com Disclosures Guidance
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) has issued several new proposals or policy statements affecting advertisers recently, including resurrection of its Penalty Offense Authority and an Enforcement Policy Statement Regarding Negative Option Marketing (which we previously reported on here). The FTC is now seeking public feedback on a proposal to enhance and strengthen…
Keurig Agrees to Pay $10 Million to Settle Class Action Over Charges of Misleading Recyclable Claims
On February 24, 2022, Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Keurig) agreed to pay $10 million to settle a long-running class action that alleged the coffee company deceptively advertised its K-Cups pods’ recyclability by misleadingly labeling and marketing them as “recyclable” when the pods were in fact not accepted for recycling in many areas. The settlement follows…