Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (the ``FTC'' or ``Commission'') issued its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (``guides'') on July 28, 1992. 57 FR 36363 (Aug. 13, 1992), codified at 16 CFR Part 260. The guides included a provision for public comment and review three years after adoption for the purpose of determining whether there is a need for any modifications. In connection with the three year review, the Commission sought public comment on a variety of issues pertaining to the guides, 60 FR 38978 (July 31, 1995) and held a two day Public Workshop-Conference on December 7 and 8, 1995. The Commission has completed its review of the prefatory sections of the guides, as well as the following sections: General Environmental Benefits, Degradable/Biodegradable/Photodegradable, Recycled Content, Source Reduction, Refillable, and Ozone Safe and Ozone Friendly. These sections are being republished with only the minor revisions discussed below. The Commission is still in the process of reviewing the Compostable and Recyclable guides. The original versions of these guides shall remain in effect until further notice. See 16 CFR 260.7 (c) and (d). Finally, the Commission is seeking further public comment on the issue of whether product parts that can be reconditioned and/or reused in the manufacture of new products should be considered ``recyclable'' under the guides and whether products manufactured from such reconditioned and/or reused parts should qualify as ``recycled'' under the guides.