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Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58, as amended)

Under this Act, the Commission is empowered, among other things, to (a) prevent unfair methods of competition, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce; (b) seek monetary redress and other relief for conduct injurious to consumers; (c) prescribe trade regulation rules defining with specificity acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive, and establishing requirements designed to prevent such acts or practices; (d) conduct investigations relating to the organization, business, practices, and management of entities engaged in commerce; and (e) make reports and legislative recommendations to Congress.

Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 6201-6422, as amended)

This Act (a) directs the Commission and the Justice Department to: participate in developing, implementing, and monitoring voluntary agreements and plans established by oil companies to deal with emergency international oil shortages (Section 252, 42 U.S.C. § 6272);(1) (b) requires the Commission to issue regulations providing that certain household appliances must bear labels showing the products' "energy efficiency ratings" (Section 324, 42 U.S.C. § 6294); (c) vests the Commission under 15 U.S.C. § 2008 with authority to recommend that penalties assessed by the Department of Transportation against automobile manufacturers for violating average fuel economy standards be reduced if payment would result in decreased competition in the automobile industry (Section 301, amending the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2001 et seq.); and (d) gives the Commission certain duties with respect to labeling of recycled oil (Section 383, 42 U.S.C. § 6363).

Lanham Trade-Mark Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1051-1127, as amended)

Section 14 of this Act (15 U.S.C. § 1064) authorizes the Commission, under certain specified conditions, to apply to the Patent and Trademark Office for the cancellation of registered trade-marks.

Packers and Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 181-229, as amended)

Section 406 of this Act (7 U.S.C. § 227) extends the Commission's jurisdiction to cover such activities of meat packers as are not related to the sale of livestock, meat products, and the like; transactions in oleomargarine; and retail sales of meat and related products. Other matters involving meat and related products are subject to the Commission's jurisdiction if the Secretary of Agriculture so requests or, in certain circumstances, where action by the Commission is necessary to exercise effective jurisdiction over retail sales of such products. This statute was amended by the Poultry Producers Financial Protection Act of 1987 (Pub. L. No. 100-173, § 7, 101 Stat. 917) to vest the Commission with similar authority over poultry product transactions.

Last Updated: Thursday, June 24, 1999