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As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s systematic review of all current FTC rules and guides, the FTC is seeking public comment on the efficiency, costs, benefits, and impact of the R-value Rule.

Issued in 1979, the Rule (formally, the “Trade Regulation Rule Concerning the Labeling and Advertising of Home Insulation”) requires home insulation manufacturers, professional installers, new home sellers, and retailers to provide R-value information, based on the results of standard tests, to help inform consumers. The R-value rates a product’s ability to restrict heat flow and thus reduce energy costs. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

The Commission vote approving the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was 4-0. It is available on the FTC’s website and as a link to this press release and will be published in the Federal Register soon. Instructions for filing comments appear in the Federal Register Notice. Comments must be received by June 6, 2016; they will be posted at www.ftc.gov/policy/public-comments. (FTC File No. P164800; the staff contact is Hampton Newsome, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2889)

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