Exemptions from Requirements and Prohibitions under Part 500, Cellulose Sponges of Irregular Dimension

Title 16— COMMERCIAL PRACTICES Chapter I— Federal Trade Commission SUBCHAPTER E— RULES, REGULATIONS, STATE­ MENTS OF GENERAL POLICY OR INTERPRETA­ TION AND EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE FAIR PACKAGING AND LABELING ACT PART 501— EXEMPTIONS FROM RE­ QUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS UNDER PART 500 Cellulose Sponges of Irregular Dimension The Federal Trade Commission on October 8, 1970 (35 FJR. 15843), pro­ posed § 501.6 of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act regulations which would exempt irregular cut cellulose sponges from certain of the mandatory require­ ments of Part 500 of the regulations. As proposed, the exemption would permit the sponges when packaged so as to be clearly visible to the retail buyer to omit dimensions from the required declara­ tion, but would require a count statement which includes the term “irregular dimensions.”

In response to an invitation to inter­ ested parties to comment, several com­ ments were received, all of which were submitted by State or city regulatory officials. All comments were favorable with respect to the adoption of the pro­ posal. The Commission has therefore concluded that the exemption as proposed should be adopted. Accordingly, pursuant to the provi­ sions of the Fair Packaging and Label-' ing Act (secs. 5, 6, 80 Stat. 1298, 1299, 1300; 15 U.S.C. 1454, 1455), Part 501 of Subchapter E is amended by adding the following new section: § 501.6 Cellulose sponges, irregular di­ m ensions.

Variety packages of cellulose sponges of irregular dimensions, are exempted from the requirements of § 500.25 of this chapter, provided:

(a) Such sponges are packaged in transparént packages which afford visual inspection of the varied sizes, shapes, and irregular dimensions; and (b) The quantity of contents declara­ tion is expressed as a combination of count accompanied by the term “irregu­ lar dimensions.” Example: “10 Assorted Sponges—Irregular dimensions.” Any person who will be adversely af­ fected by the foregoing order may at any time within 30 days from the date of its publication in the Federal R egister file with the Secretary, Federal Trade Com­ mission, Washington, D.C. 20580, writ­ ten objections thereto, specifying with particularity the provisions of the order deemed objectionable, stating the grounds therefor, and requesting a public hearing upon such objections. Objections will be deemed sufficient to warrant the holding of a public hearing only: (1) If they establish that the objector will be adversely affected by the order; (2) if they specify with particularity the pro­ visions of the order to which objection is taken; and (3) if they are supported by reasonable grounds which if valid and factually supported may be adequate to justify the relief sought. Anyone who files objections which are not deemed by the Commission sufficient to warrant the holding of a public hearing will be promptly notified of that determination. As soon as practicable after the time for filing objections has expired, the Commission will publish a notice in the F ederal R egister specifying those parts of the order which have been stayed by the filing of objections or, if no objec­ tions sufficient to warrant the holding of a public hearing have been filed, stat­ ing the fact. This order shall become effective 30 days following the date of its publication in the Federal Register, ex­ cept as to any provision that *may be stayed by the filing of valid objections. Issued: November 30, 1970. By direction of the Commission. [seal] J oseph W. Shea, Secretary.

|F.R. Doc. 70-16403; Filed, Dec. 4, 1970; 8:51 a.UL]