The Federal Trade Commission has issued a Federal Register Notice asking for comments on its 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 Jewelers Vigilance Committee said Wednesday.

The FTC is also interested in whether the Guides should address platinum plated products in a manner similar to gold plated products already addressed in the Guides, JVC said.

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 Commission is accepting public comment on two issues:

1. 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.

2. Whether the Guides should be revised to provide guidance on how to mark or describe platinum-clad, filled, plated, or overlay products.

JVC said it 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 the specific questions the FTC posed in connection with the proposed revisions to the Jewelry Guides. 

“The JVC will continue its work in determining the needs and views of the industry on this important topic, and in facilitating the appropriate response,” said Cecilia Gardner, JVC’s president, chief executive officer, and general counsel. “We urge jewelers to record their opinions with the FTC prior to May 25, 2008.”

For the full text of the Federal Register Notice visit the FTC Web site at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/02/fyi08004.shtm. For information about JVC’s legal compliance products and services, visit www.jvclegal.org.

JCK