The complaint also alleges that, in numerous instances, the defendants failed to have a reasonable basis for the care instructions on the labels. The settlement also contains various reporting requirements to assist the FTC in monitoring the company's compliance. The complaint and proposed consent decree were filed this morning in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago, by the Department of Justice at the FTC's request. The Commission vote to authorize filing was 5-0. This consent decree is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation.
Consent decrees have the force of law when signed by the judge.
Copies of the complaint and proposed consent decree, as well as the Care Labeling Rule, are available from the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.