Consumer Law

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Overview

What is consumer law?

Consumer law covers a broad range of legal issues that affect consumers, such as consumer fraud, investment fraud, identity theft, warranties, product safety (including food and drug safety and products liability), debtor rights, and many others. Consumer law is designed to protect the consumer from deception (such as palpably false information about a product or service) and coercion.

Consumer law places restrictions on businesses advertising and selling products or services to consumers. For example, consumer law forbids creditors from discriminating against an applicant for credit on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, marital status, or for receiving public assistance. It also grants consumers various rights, such as the right to privacy. Consumer law is commonly referred to as "consumer protection law," reflecting its intended function.

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  • Proposed Rule - Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles

    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles
    ,
    31513-31517 [2011-13520]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 309 Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission). ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Commission seeks public comment on its Labeling Requirements for Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fueled Vehicles (``Alternative Fuels Rule'' or ``Rule''). As part of its systematic review of all FTC rules and guides, the Commission requests public comment on the... [read document]
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  • Rule - Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles: Postponement of Amendment

    Federal Trade Commission
    Rule
    Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles:
    Postponement of Amendment
    ,
    31467-31468 [2011-13519]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 259 Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Postponement of amendment of guide. SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') gives notice that it is postponing any amendments to its Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles (``Fuel Economy Guide'' or ``Guide'') pending completion of ongoing review by the Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'') and the... [read document]
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  • Rule - Appliance Labeling

    Federal Trade Commission
    Rule
    Appliance Labeling
    ,
    20233-20237 [2011-8689]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 305 RIN 3084-AB03 Appliance Labeling Rule AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission extends the effective date for its new light bulb labeling requirements to January 1, 2012, to provide manufacturers with additional compliance time. In addition, the Commission exempts from the new label requirements incandescent bulbs that will not be produced after January 1, 2013, due to Federal efficiency standards.... [read document]
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  • Rule - Automotive Fuel Ratings Certification and Posting

    Federal Trade Commission
    Rule
    Automotive Fuel Ratings Certification and Posting
    ,
    19684-19692 [2011-8097]
    FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 306 Automotive Fuel Ratings Certification and Posting AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Commission issues final amendments to its Rule for Automotive Fuel Ratings, Certification and Posting (``Fuel Rating Rule'' or ``Rule'') by allowing an alternative octane rating method and making other miscellaneous revisions. The Commission declines to issue final ethanol labeling amendments at this time. DATES: The amendments published... [read document]
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  • Proposed Rule - Fair Credit Reporting Risk-Based Pricing Regulations

    Federal Trade Commission
    Proposed Rule
    Fair Credit Reporting Risk-Based Pricing Regulations
    ,
    13902-13921 [2011-5413]
    FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM 12 CFR Part 222 [Regulation V; Docket No. R-1407] RIN 7100-AD66 FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Parts 640 and 698 RIN R411009 Fair Credit Reporting Risk-Based Pricing Regulations AGENCIES: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) and Federal Trade Commission (Commission). ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: On January 15, 2010, the Board and the Commission published final rules to implement the risk-based pricing provisions in section 311 of... [read document]
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