FTC Approves Final Consent Orders Settling Charges that Four Paint Companies Misled Consumers through Claims Their Products are Emission- and VOC-Free

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final consent orders against four paint companies — Benjamin Moore & Co., Inc., ICP Construction Inc., YOLO Colorhouse, LLC, and Imperial Paints, LLC — that allegedly misled consumers through claims that their products were free of emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to […]

FTC Approves Final Consent Order in Moonlight Slumber, LLC Advertising Case

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling its first-ever case against a company making “organic” product claims. According to the FTC’s September 28, 2017 complaint, in marketing and advertising its baby mattresses, Moonlight Slumber, LLC misrepresented a range of claims on its website and packaging. The […]

FTC Extends Public Comment Period on Zero-VOC Paint Claims Cases to September 11

The Federal Trade Commission is extending the public comment period on four recently announced proposed settlements with companies that allegedly deceptively promoted paint products as emission-free or containing zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including during and immediately after application. According to the Commission’s complaints, announced on July 11, 2017, some promotions also made safety claims […]

Paint Companies Settle FTC Charges That They Misled Consumers; Claimed Products Are Emission- and VOC-free and Safe for Babies and other Sensitive Populations

Four paint companies have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they deceptively promoted products as emission-free or containing zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including during and immediately after application. Some promotions also made explicit safety claims regarding babies, children, pregnant women, and other sensitive populations. However, the FTC alleged, the companies had no […]

FTC Charges Purported Insulated House Wrap Marketer with Making False Claims

The Federal Trade Commission has charged a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer, Innovative Designs, Inc., with making false and unsubstantiated claims that its Insultex House Wrap would save consumers money by providing significant insulation without using much space. According to the FTC, Innovative Designs claims its thinner, less-expensive, house wrap has an insulation value of R-3 and its […]

FTC, USDA Issue Agenda for Roundtable on Consumer Perceptions of “Organic” Claims

The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the agenda for their upcoming joint-agency roundtable on consumer perceptions of “organic” claims for non-agricultural products. The event, first announced in August, will be held in Washington, DC, on October 20, 2016. Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection will provide […]

FTC and USDA to Host Roundtable in Washington, D.C. on October 20, 2016, to Examine Consumer Perceptions of “Organic” Claims for Non-Agricultural Products

The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will co-host a roundtable in Washington, D.C. on October 20, 2016, to help the agencies better understand how consumers perceive “organic” claims for non-agricultural products, such as personal care products. At the roundtable, invited panelists, including consumer advocates, industry representatives, and academics, will discuss […]

FTC to VW Sellers: Don’t Mislead Consumers about Buyback Deal

Many owners of 2.0 liter Volkswagen diesels will soon be able to sell their cars back to Volkswagen AG for more than their current replacement value as a result of a proposed $10.03 billion deceptive advertising settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC wants to make sure consumers and businesses know the facts surrounding […]

FTC Approves Final Order Requiring Wet Wipe Manufacturer to Substantiate “Flushability” Advertising Claims

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order with Nice-Pak Products, Inc., requiring it to stop advertising moist toilet tissue and cloth as flushable or safe for sewer or septic systems unless it can substantiate those claims. According to the FTC’s May 2015 complaint, Nice-Pak violated the FTC […]

Administrative Law Judge Issues Initial Decision in the ECM Biofilms, Inc. Case

In an Initial Decision announced today, the Federal Trade Commission’s Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), D. Michael Chappell, ruled that plastics additive manufacturer ECM Biofilms, Inc. violated the FTC Act by deceptively claiming, and providing others with the means to claim, that plastics treated with ECM additives (ECM Plastics) would completely biodegrade in a landfill […]