[Federal Register: April 3, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 64)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 15767]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03ap02-21]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 310
Telemarketing Sales Rule; Notice of 15-Day Extension in Comment
Period
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``the Commission'' or ``FTC'')
has extended the comment period by which comments must be submitted
concerning the proposed changes to its Telemarketing Sales Rule (``the
Rule'' or ``TSR''). This document informs prospective commenters of the
change and sets a new date of April 15, 2002, for the end of the
comment period.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This document was received at the Office of the Federal
Register on March 29, 2002.
DATES: Written comments will be received until the close of business on
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 15, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Six paper copies of each paper and/or written comment should
be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Trade Commission,
Room 159, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580. If
possible, comments should also be submitted in electronic form. To
encourage prompt and efficient review and dissemination of the comments
to the public, all comments should also be submitted, if possible, in
electronic form, on either a 5\1/4\ or a 3\1/2\ inch computer disk,
with a label on the disk stating the name of the commenter and the name
and version of the word processing program used to create the document.
(Programs based on DOS are preferred. Files from other operating
systems should be submitted in ASCII text format to be accepted.)
Individual members of the public filing comments need not submit
multiple copies or comments in electronic form. Alternatively, the
Commission will accept papers and comments submitted to the following
email address: tsr@ftc.gov, provided the content of any papers or
comments submitted by email is organized in sequentially numbered
paragraphs. All submissions should be identified as ``Telemarketing
Sales Rule Review--Comment. FTC File No. R411001.''
Papers and written comments will be available for public inspection
in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, and
Commission Regulations, 16 CFR 4.9, on normal business days between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Room 130, Federal Trade Commission,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580. The Commission will
make this notice and, to the extent possible, all papers or comments
received in response to this notice available to the public through the
Internet at the following address: www.ftc.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Harrington-McBride (202)
326-2452, email cmcbride@ftc.gov; Karen Leonard (202) 326-3597, email
kleonard@ftc.gov; or Carole Danielson (202) 326-3115, email
cdanielson@ftc.gov, Division of Marketing Practices, Bureau of Consumer
Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20580.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 30, 2002, the Commission
published a request for comment on proposed changes to its
Telemarketing Sales Rule.\2\ The Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and
Abuse Prevention Act (``the Telemarketing Act'' or ``the Act'')
directed the Commission to promulgate rules to protect consumers from
deceptive telemarketing practices and other abusive telemarketing
activities. In response to this directive, the Commission adopted the
TSR, which requires telemarketers to make specific disclosures of
material information; prohibits misrepresentations; sets limits on the
times telemarketers may call consumers; prohibits calls to a consumer
who has asked not to be called again; and sets payment restrictions for
the sale of certain goods and services. The comment period for proposed
changes to the TSR is currently scheduled to close on March 29, 2002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 67 FR 4492 (January 30, 2002).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several stakeholders that participated in the original rulemaking
proceeding, in the rule review public workshop, and in the public forum
focusing on the Rule's do-not-call provision have expressed concern
that there will not be sufficient time before March 29 to complete
their responses to the Commission's Request for Comment on the proposed
amendments. They have asked that the comment period be extended to
enable them to complete their data collection. The Commission is
mindful of the need to deal with this matter expeditiously. However,
the Commission also is aware that the issues raised are complex and
believes that the enhancement of the record that will be achieved by
extending the comment period far outweighs any harm that might be
caused by the delay.
Therefore, the Commission has decided to extend the comment period
to April 15, 2002. This extension will provide sufficient time for
commenters to prepare useful comments. This extension will not affect
the date of the public forum to discuss the proposed changes to the
TSR's provisions, but the Commission has determined to also extend the
date by which applications to participate in the forum must be
received. Accordingly, the public forum will be held, as originally
scheduled, on June 5-7, 2002, and notification of interest in
participating in the forum must be submitted in writing, but separate
from public comments, on or before April 15, 2002, to Carole I.
Danielson, Division of Marketing Practices, Federal Trade Commission,
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20580.
List of Subjects in 16 CFR Part 310
Telemarketing, Trade practices.
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1601-1608.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-8016 Filed 4-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M