Trade Groups Petition FTC over Platinum Name

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 8/26/2008 10:42:00 AM

Jewelry trade organizations filed a submission to the Federal Trade Commission on its proposed amendment to the platinum section of FTC Guides that would allow jewelry marketers to use the term "platinum," or an abbreviation, to describe platinum and non-platinum group metal alloy products.

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, Jewelers of America, and American Gem Society, filed the submission Tuesday in response to the FTC’s Federal Register Notice on Feb. 20, seeking commentsthe "FTC Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries."

The submission was the result of consultation with the Platinum Task Force, established in 2005, and co-chaired by JVC, MJSA and JA, to provide industry comments to the specific questions the FTC posed in connection with the proposed revisions to the Jewelry Guides. If adopted, the amendments would be added to the platinum section of the FTC Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries, 16 CFR Part 23, at Section 23.7(b)(4).

The associations, in a state statement, said its position maintains that the word “platinum” should not be used to describe an alloy combining platinum with non-platinum group metals.

“The JVC, along with MJSA, JA, and AGS, worked closely to determine the needs and views of the industry on this topic, and to facilitate an appropriate response," said Cecilia Gardner, JVC’s president, chief executive officer, and general counsel. "We look forward to an early response from the FTC.”

For the full text of the Federal Register notice please visit the FTC Web site at: .

To read the associations’ submission, visit www.jvclegal.org.