[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12915-12916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4974]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Part 432


Trade Regulation Rule Relating to Power Output Claims for 
Amplifiers Utilized in Home Entertainment Products

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice to reopen comment period.

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SUMMARY: On December 22, 2000, the Federal Trade Commission (the 
``Commission'') commenced a rulemaking proceeding and requested public 
comments on a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its 
Rule relating to Power Output Claims for Amplifiers Utilized in Home 
Entertainment Products (the ``Amplifier Rule''). The Commission 
solicited comments until February 23, 2001. In response to a request 
from an industry trade association, the Commission reopens the comment 
period until March 30, 2001.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until March 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to Office of the 
Secretary, Federal Trade Commission, Room H-159, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., 
NW., Washington, DC 20580. Comments should be identified as ``16 CFR 
Part 432 Comment--Amplifier Rule.'' If possible, submit comments both 
in writing and on a personal computer diskette in Word Perfect or other 
word processing format (to assist in processing, please identify the 
format and version used). Written comments should be submitted, when 
feasible and not burdensome, in five copies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Murphy, Economist, Division of 
Consumer Protection, Bureau of Economics, (202) 326-3524, or Neil 
Blickman, Attorney, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer 
Protection, (202) 326-3038, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 
20580.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    On December 22, 2000, the Commission published in the Federal 
Register a request for public comments on a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking to amend its Amplifier Rule, 16 CFR part 432 (65 FR 
80798). The Amplifier Rule was promulgated on May 3, 1974 (39 FR 
15387), to assist consumers in purchasing power amplification equipment 
for home entertainment purposes by standardizing the measurement and 
disclosure of various performance characteristics of the equipment. 
Specifically, the Federal Register notice solicited public comments on 
Commission proposals to amend the Amplifier Rule's testing procedures 
to provide appropriate power output ratings for the recently introduced 
class of ``home theater'' receivers that incorporate five or more 
channels of amplification. Pursuant to the Federal Register notice, the 
comment period on the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ended 
on February 23, 2001.
    On February 13, 2001, the Commission staff received a request for 
an extension of the comment period from the Consumer Electronics 
Association (``CEA''). CEA has indicated that additional time is 
required so that it can conduct consumer research and industry surveys, 
which it asserts will be useful in preparing thorough, thoughtful 
responses to the proposals and questions contained in the Federal 
Register notice.
    The Commission is aware that the issues raised by the Federal 
Register notice are complex and technical. Accordingly, to provide 
sufficient time for interested parties to prepare useful comments, the 
Commission has decided to extend the deadline for comments on its 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking until March 30, 2001.

    Authority 15 U.S.C. 41-58.

[[Page 12916]]

List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 432

    Amplifiers, Home entertainment products, Trade practices.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-4974 Filed 2-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M