Exemptions from Requirements and Prohibitions under Part 500, Paper Table Covers, Sheets, and Pillow Cases

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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 Paper Table Covers, Sheets, and Pillow Cases The Federal Trade Commission on October 8,1970 (35 F.R. 15843), proposed § 501.5 of the Fair Packaging and Label­ ing Act regulations which would exempt table covers, bed sheets, and pillow cases fabricated from paper from certain man­ datory requirements of § 500.12 of the regulations. As proposed, paper table covers, bed sheets, and pillow cases would not be required to express area or dimen­ sions in largest whole units of length and width, but would require these commodi­ ties to express actual length and width in inches. This is in keeping with the convention of measuring textile articles of the same categories in inches. In response to the invitation to com­ ments suggested that the proposed ex­ emption be extended to these commodi­ ties when fabricated from textiles, FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 35, NO. 244— THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1970

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RULES AND REGULATIONS 19077 plastics, or fiberglass. It is to be noted that textiles in general are already out­ side the scope of the definition of “con­ sumer commodity” and thus excluded from coverage under the Act. Likewise, plastic table cloths (covers) are also not “consumer commodities”

within the meaning of the Act. A fiberglass table cover would be considered a durable commodity. Thus, the Commission notes there is no necessity to extend the pro­ posed § 501.5 to embrace more than the defined subjects fabricated from paper. Having considered the comments and all relevant data, the Commission has concluded that the exemption as pro­ posed should be adopted without changes. Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the Pair Packaging and Labeling Act (sections 5, 6, 80 Stat. 1298, 1299, 1300;. 15 U.S.C. 1454, 1455), Part 501 of Sub­ chapter E is amended by adding the fol­ lowing new section :

§ 501.5 Paper table covers, bedsheets, pillowcases.

Table covers, bedsheets, and pillow­ cases, fabricated from paper, are exempt from the requirements of § 500.12 of this chapter which specifies the expression of measurement of bidimensional com­ modities : Provided, That such commodi­ ties shall clearly present their actual length and width in terms of inches. 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 F ederal R egister, file with the Secretary, Federal Trade Com­ mission, Washington, D.C. 20580, written objections thereto, specifying with par­ ticularity 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, stating the fact. This order shall become effec­ tive 30 days following the date of its publication in the F ederal R egister, ex­ cept as to any provision that may be stayed by the filing of valid objections. Issued: December 10, 1970. By direction of the Commission. [seal] J oseph W. S hea, Secretary.

[F.R. Doc. 70-16905; Filed, Dec. 16, 1970; 8:45 a.m.]