Consumer Goods and Services

Guide to complying with laws and regulations that apply to consumer goods and services businesses and the consumer goods and services industry.

Appliances

• Complying with the Appliance Labeling Rule: A Guide for Retailers
  If you sell home appliances online, you may be required to observe the disclosure requirements of the Federal Trade Commission's Appliance Labeling Rule. The Rule requires manufacturers of certain appliances to affix yellow-and-black Energy Guide labels to these appliances. It also requires appliance retailers to leave the labels in place.
  
  
• Appliance Labeling for Manufacturers
  Information on how to comply with the Appliance Labeling Rule, including answers to frequently asked questions.
  

Computers & Internet Services

• CAN-SPAM Act : Requirements for Commercial Entities
  The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) establishes requirements for those who send commercial email, spells out penalties for spammers and companies whose products are advertised in spam if they violate the law, and gives consumers the right to ask emailers to stop spamming them.
  
  
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA)
  Provides guidance to online business on writing a COPPA compliant policy, FAQs, checklists and resources.
  
  
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act
  General guide to DMCA, an intellectual property law affecting online businesses.
  
  
• Domain Registration Scams
  Guide for online businesses on avoiding web domain registration scams.
  
  
• Dotcom Disclosures
  This booklet describes the information businesses should consider as they develop online ads to ensure that they comply with the law.
  
  
• Electronic Commerce, Selling Internationally : A Guide for Business
  A guide for sellers who have never shipped overseas and may have little experience with the taxes, duties and customs laws involved.
  
  
• Internet Auctions : A Guide for Buyers and Sellers
  A guide for online auction businesses to help them avoid consumer fraud.
  
  
• Regulations for E-Commerce and the Internet Services
  Guides for businesses that market or advertise on Internet; assistance with e-commerce transactions laws and regulations
  
  
• Selling on the Internet : Prompt Delivery Rules
  This guide from the Federal Trade Commission advises online merchants to review their obligations under the Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule to better serve their customers.

Consumer Protection

• Business Guide to Fighting Identity Theft
  Includes wide range of educational materials that can serve as practical tools to help you educate your employees, constituents and/or members about identity theft and data security.
  
  
• Businesses Must Provide Victims and Law Enforcement with Transaction Records Relating to Identity Theft
  Questions and answers about complying with Section 609(e) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
  
  
• Consumer Product Safety Commission : Regulations, Laws & Information for Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors & Retailers
  Consumer product safety regulations and compliance guidance for manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers.
  
  
• Consumer Protection Publications for Businesses
  These plain-language guides help businesses comply with consumer protection regulations administered by the FTC. Guides cover a variety of product and services, as well as topics such as advertising, franchises, privacy and telemarketing.
  
  
• Consumer Protection Statutes
  Description of consumer protection statutes governing regulations enforced by Federal Trade Commission.
  
  
• Credit Reports : What Information Providers Need to Know
  Provides guidance that business reporting consumer credit information to credit reporting agencies must follow under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
  
  
• Disposing of Consumer Report Information? New Rule Tells How
  In an effort to protect the privacy of consumer information and reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft, a new federal rule is requiring businesses to take appropriate measures to dispose of sensitive information derived from consumer reports

Dry Cleaning

• Plain English Guide for Dry Cleaners
  Step by step approach to understanding federal environmental regulations.
  
  
• RCRA In Focus (English)
  Explains how the dry cleaning industry could be regulated under the RCRA program.
  
• RCRA In Focus (Korean Translation)
  Explains how the dry cleaning industry could be regulated under the RCRA program.
  
• Dry Cleaning : FAQs
  This fact sheet delineates the partnership between the dry cleaning industry and EPA, and gives basic facts about the environmental impact of the chemicals involved in the process, as well as information about chemical alternatives.
  
  
• Dry Cleaning Emissions Standards
  EPA emission standards for industrial and small neighborhood dry cleaners.
  
  
• Dry Cleaning Sector Guide (EPA)
  Compliance assistance information for the dry cleaning industry.
  
  
• Facilities Dry Cleaning with Perchloroethylene : FAQs
  Frequently Asked Questions about dry cleaning with Perchloroethylene.
  
  
• Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities : EPA Rules and Implementation Information
  NESHAP rule for Perchloroethylene dry cleaning facilities, and other associated documentation.
  
  

Educational Services

• Compliance Guide for Private Vocational and Distance Education Schools
  Guide to laws concerning unfair and deception marketing as they apply to the advertising, promotion, marketing, and sale of courses or programs of instruction offered by private vocational or distance education schools.
  

Food Stamps

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program : Info for Retailers
  This page is for retailers or individuals who want to apply to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program) to become an authorized retailer.
  
  
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program : Training Guide for Retailers
  Provides rules for retailers and answer common questions about the program.
  

Health & Fitness Products

• Contact Lens Rule : A Guide for Prescribers and Sellers
  This fact sheet is guide for prescribers and sellers of contact lens.
  
  
• Cosmetics : Information for Industry
  Portal for the cosmetic industry to help regulated entities comply with FDA regulations.
  
  
• Regulations for Diet, Health & Fitness Product
  -Guides to help small businesses advertise & market for dietary, health and weight loss products; eye care specialists are a good example.
  

Product Labeling

• Energy Efficiency Claims and Labeling Requirements
  Current energy efficiency labeling requirements for consumer products issued pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
  
  
• Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
  Information on how to comply with laws governing labeling of consumer products. Includes guidance for metric labeling, Made in USA labeling, energy efficiency, environmental marketing, jewelry, precious metals and pewter industries, labeling alternative fuels; and textile, wool, fur and apparel matters.
  
  
• Labeling of Textile, Wool, Fur and Apparel Products
  FPLA, Textile Fiber Identification Products Identification Act & Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939; Care Labeling Rule, Revised Leather Guides, generic fiber petitions, Cashmere Labeling Conference.
  
  
• Made in the USA Standard : Compliance Information
  How-to-comply-with guide & enforcement policy statement for making Made in USA claims; enforcement and compliance history of the agency activities and links to documents from specific enforcement case, including investigative case closing letters.
  

Textiles

• Registered Identification Number (RN) FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about RN numbers issued by the FTC to U.S. businesses that manufacture, import, distribute, or sell products covered by the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts. Businesses can use this number on product labels in lieu of the company name.
  
  
• Registered Identification Number Database
  A registered identification number or RN is a number issued by the Federal Trade Commission, upon request, to a business residing in the U.S. that is engaged in the manufacture, importing, distribution, or sale of textile, wool, or fur products. Such businesses are not required to have RNs. They may, however, use the RN in place of a name on the label or tag that is required to be affixed to these products.
  

Tobacco Products

• Tobacco Advertising and Promotion
  Contains compliance guides on advertising and health warning requirements for tobacco manufacturers, importers or retail sellers of tobacco related products; materials on Tobacco Industry Settlement.
  
  
• Tobacco Production, Sale and Distribution FAQs
  Frequently asked questions about tobacco.
  
  
• Tobacco Regulations and Permits
  Information for tobacco producers and distributors, including applying for a permit, paying taxes, importing, and other issues.