FTC Rules

consists of 5 commissioners

Appointed by the President of the U.S. for 7 year term

fair packaging and labeling act

requires the identification of the product and the manufacturer

1938 - Wheeler-Lea Amendment

adds to scope of FTC responsibilities, the investigation of unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce

Cooling Off Regulation for Door to Door Sales

allows consumer 3 days to resend an agreement/purchase

purpose of FTC

-Maintain free and fair competition in U.S. business -Take action against monopoly, restraint of trade and unfair or deceptive trade practices -Prevent anti-competitive practices in the marketplace as an aid to consumers

Funeral Providers Cannot

-Misrepresent legal, cemetery and crematory requirements. -Embalm for a fee without authorization -Require the purchase of a casket for cremation -Require the purchase of certain goods or services as a condition to furnish other goods and services (EXAMPLE - do not have to purchase clothing, register book, etc. if purchasing a traditional service and casket) -Engage in unfair or deceptive practices

July 19, 1994

FTC Funeral Industry Practices Revised Rule takes effect

January 1, 1984

FTC Rule (portion prohibiting misrepresentation) takes effect

The Rule

FTC Trade Regulation Rule for Funeral Industry Practices (known as :

November 1972

FTC begins review of current funeral service practices

1976

FTC conducts hearings on the proposed rule in New York, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.

1914

FTC enacted by act of Congress

July 1973

FTC initiates "non-public" investigation of funeral service

1964

FTC looks at funeral service and concludes that regulation is best at the state level (1963 Jessica Mitford book)

1982

FTC promulgates Trade Regulation Rule for Funeral Service

1977-1979

FTC receives temporary funding to operate as negative legislative sentiment toward the FTC emerges. (November 1979 - Russo amendment passed in House of Representatives - would exempt Funeral Service from FTC regulation.)

clayton anti-trust act

First passed to protect the consumer

April 1999

Formal review of Rule initiated

April 30, 1984

Full FTC Trade Regulation Rule for Funeral Industry Practices takes effect

Requirements

Funeral providers must give consumers accurate, itemized price information. (anyone that sells funeral goods to the consumer)

Federal Trade Commission

Government agency created in 1914 to promote free and fair competition by prevention of trade restraints; price fixing, false advertising and other unfair methods of competition

1975

Initial proposed Trade Regulation Rule published in Federal Register

1970's

Sunset legislation eliminates various regulatory boards.

1997

Test shopping (sweeps) begins

Manguson-Moss Warranty Act

To prevent widespread misuse of express warranties and disclosures; gives FTC the ability to enforce

funeral service trade regulation rule

essential purposes of the Funeral Rule were to ensure that consumers receive information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions, and to lower existing barriers to price

1974 - Magnuson-Moss Warranty/FTC Improvement Act

gives FTC the power to create Trade Regulation Rules. FTC calls for complaints regarding funeral service and receives 144.

truth in lending

protect consumer in credit transactions by disclosure

fair credit reporting

regulates the use of consumer credit information

robinson-patman act

unlawful to charge different prices to prevent competition; exception to "Cooperatives"