FTC Calls for Industry Comments on Platinum for Jewelry Guide
February 28, 08
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Federal Register Notice asking for comments on their proposed amendment that would allow jewelry marketers to use the term “platinum,” or an abbreviation, to describe platinum and non-Platinum group metal alloy products.
The FTC publishes an FTC Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries, and is interested in whether the guides should address platinum-plated products in a manner similar to gold-plated products already addressed in the guides.
The commission is accepting public comment on two issues: How to mark or describe non-deceptively products that contain at least 500 ppt, but less than 850 ppt, pure platinum, and that do not contain at least 950 parts per thousand Platinum Group Metals (PGM); and whether the guides should be revised to provide guidance on how to mark or describe platinum-clad, plated or overlay products.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) will work with the Platinum Task Force, formed in July 2005 to provide industry comments in response to prior questions posed by the FTC. The task force will address the current proposals and answer specific questions the FTC posed in connection with the proposed revisions to the jewelry guides.