labeling

labeling Sec. 324. (a) (1) The Commission shall prescribe labeling rules under this section applicable to all covered products of each of the types specified in paragraphs (1) through (9) of section 322(a), except to the extent that, with respect to any such type (or class thereof)— 89 STAT. 921 (A) the Administrator determines under the second sentence of section 323(a)(6) that test procedures cannot be developed which meet the requirements of section 323 (b); or (B) the Commission determines under the second sentence of subsection (b) (5) that labeling in accordance with this section is not technologically or economically feasible. (2) The Commission shall prescribe labeling rules under this section applicable to all covered products of each of the types specified in paragraphs (10) through (13) of section 322(a), except to the extent that with respect to any such type (or class thereof) — (A) the Administrator determines under the second sentence of section 323(a)(6) that test procedures cannot be developed which meet the requirements of section 32.3(b); or (B) the Commission determines under the second sentence of subsection (b)(5) that labeling in accordance with this section is not technologically or economically feasible or is not likely to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions. (3) The Commission may prescribe a labeling rule under this section applicable to covered products of a type specified in paragraph (14) of section 322(a) (or a class thereof) if— (A) the Commission or the Administrator has made a determination with respect to such type (or a class thereof) under section 323(a)(5)(B), (B) the Administrator has prescribed test procedures under section 323(a) (5) for such type (or class thereof), and (C) the Commission determines with respect to such type (or class thereof) that application of labeling rules under this section to such type (or class thereof) is economically and technologically feasible. (4) Any determination under this subsection shall be published in the Federal Register. (b) (1) Not later than 30 days after the date on which a proposed test procedure applicable to a covered product of any of the types specified in paragraphs (1) through (14) of section 322(a) (or class thereof) is published under section 323(a), the Commission shall publish a proposed labeling rule applicable to such type (or class thereof). (2) The Commission shall afford interested persons an opportunity to present written or oral data, views, and comments with respect to the proposed labeling rules published under paragraph (1). The period for such presentations shall not be less than 45 days. (3) Not earlier than 45 days nor later than 60 days after the date on which test procedures are prescribed under section 323 with respect to covered products of any type (or class thereof) specified in paragraphs (1) through (13) of section 322(a), the Commission shall prescribe labeling rules with respect to covered products of such type (or class thereof). Not earlier than 45 days after the date on which test procedures are prescribed under section 323 with respect to covered products of a type specified in paragraph (14) of section 322(a), the Commission may prescribe labeling rules with respect to covered products of such type (or class thereof). (4) A labeling rule prescribed under paragraph (3) shall take effect not later than 3 months after the date of prescription of such rule, except that such rules may take effect not later than 6 months after such date of prescription if the Commission determines that such 89 STAT. 922extension is necessary to allow persons subject to such rules adequate time to come into compliance with such rules. (5) The Commission may delay the publication of a proposed labeling rule, or the prescription or a labeling rule; beyond the dates specified in paragraph (1) or (3), if it determines that it cannot publish proposed labeling rules or prescribe labeling rules which meet the requirements of this section on or prior to the date specified in the applicable paragraph and publishes such determination in the Federal Register, together with the reasons therefor. In any such case, it shall publish proposed labeling rules or prescribe labeling rules for covered products of such type (or class thereof) as soon as practicable unless it determines (A) that labeling in accordance with this section is not economically or technically feasible, or (B) in the case of a type specified in paragraphs (10) through (13) of section 322(a), that labeling in accordance with this section is not likely to assist consumers in purchasing decisions. Any such determination shall be published in the Federal Register, together with the reasons therefor. This paragraph shall not apply to the prescription of a labeling rule with respect to covered products of a type specified in paragraph (14) of section 322(a). (c) (1) Subject to paragraph (6), a rule prescribed under this section shall require that each covered product in the type or class of covered products to which the rule applies bear a label which discloses— (A) the estimated annual operating cost of such product (determined in accordance with test procedures prescribed under section 323), except that if— (i) the Administrator determines that disclosure of estimated annual operating cost is not technologically feasible, or (ii) the Commission determines that such disclosure is not likely to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions or is not economically feasible, the Commission shall require disclosure of a different useful measure of energy consumption (determined in accordance with test procedures prescribed under section 323); and (B) information respecting the range of estimated annual operating costs for covered products to which the rule applies; except that if the Commission requires disclosure under subparagraph (A) of a measure of energy consumption different from estimated annual operating cost, then the label shall disclose the range of such measure of energy consumption of covered products to which such rule applies. (2) A rule under this section shall include the following: (A) A description of the type or class of covered products to which such rule applies. (B) Subject to paragraph (6), information respecting the range of estimated annual operating costs or other useful measure of energy consumption (determined in such manner as the rule may prescribe) for such type or class of covered products. (C) A description of the test procedures under section 323 used in determining the estimated annual operating costs or other measure of energy consumption of the type or class of covered products. 89 STAT. 923 (D) A prototype label and directions for displaying such label. (3) A rule under this section shall require that the label be displayed in a manner that the Commission determines is likely to assist consumers in making purchasing decisions and is appropriate to carry out this part. The Commission may permit a tag to be used in lieu of a label in any case in which the Commission finds that a tag will carry out the purposes for which the label was intended. (4) A rule under this section applicable to a covered product may require disclosure, in any printed matter displayed or distributed at the point of sale of such product, of any information which may be required under this section to be disclosed on the label of such product. Requirements under this paragraph shall not apply to any broadcast advertisement or any advertisement in any newspaper, magazine, or other periodical. (5) The Commission may require that a manufacturer of a covered product to which a rule under this section applies— (A) include on the label, (B) separately attach to the product, or (C) ship with the product, additional information relating to energy consumption, if the Commission determines that such additional information would assist consumers in making purchasing decisions or in using such product, and that such requirement would not be unduly burdensome to manufacturers. (6) The Commission may delay the effective date of the requirement specified in paragraph (1) (B) of this subsection applicable to a type or class of covered product, insofar as it requires the disclosure on the label of information respecting range of a measure of energy consumption, for not more than 12 months after the date on which the rule under this section is first applicable to such type or class, if the Commission determines that such information will not be available within an adequate period of time, before such date. (d) A rule under this section (or an amendment thereto) shall not apply to any covered product the manufacture of which was completed prior to the effective date of such rule or amendment, as the case may be. (e) The Administrator, in consultation with the Commission, shall study consumer products for which labeling rules under this section have not been proposed, in order to determine (1) the aggregate energy consumption of such products, and (2) whether the imposition of labeling requirements under this section would be feasible and useful to consumers in making purchasing decisions. The Administrator shall include the results of such study in the annual report under section 338. (f) The Administrator and the Commission shall consult with each other on a continuing basis as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out their respective responsibilities under this part. Before the Commission makes any determination under subsection (a) (1) or (2), it shall obtain the views of the Administrator and shall take such views into account in making such determination. (g) Until such time as labeling rules under this section take effect with respect to a type or class of covered product, this section shall not affect any authority of the Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act to require labeling with respect to energy consumption of such type or class of covered product.