Rule2026-00686
Removing Obsolete Regulations Related to the Voluntary Consumer Product Information Labeling Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 15, 2026
Effective
January 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce Department
Abstract
By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) is eliminating its regulations establishing the procedures for a Voluntary Consumer Product Information Labeling Program (CPILP), as that program is now inactive, outdated, and unnecessary. This action is necessary to eliminate obsolete and unwarranted regulatory language from the Code of Federal Regulations and to ensure that Commerce's regulations remain accurate and up-to-date. The intended effect of this action is to improve and streamline Commerce's regulations and to reduce the risk of public confusion.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1681-1683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00686]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
15 CFR Part 16
[Docket ID 260107-0006]
RIN 0605-AA74
Removing Obsolete Regulations Related to the Voluntary Consumer
Product Information Labeling Program
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) is
eliminating its regulations establishing the procedures for a Voluntary
Consumer Product Information Labeling Program (CPILP), as that program
is now inactive, outdated, and unnecessary. This action is necessary to
eliminate obsolete and unwarranted regulatory language from the Code of
Federal Regulations and to ensure that Commerce's regulations remain
accurate and up-to-date. The intended effect of this action is to
improve and streamline Commerce's regulations and to reduce the risk of
public confusion.
[[Page 1682]]
DATES: The rule is effective on January 15, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Sweeney, Senior Counsel, Office
of the General Counsel, at (202) 482-1395.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Commerce is amending 15 CFR part 16, ``Procedures for a Voluntary
Consumer Product Information Labeling Program,'' by removing all of the
regulatory sections contained therein.
A. Regulatory History
Commerce first established its procedures for the CPILP in a final
rule on May 25, 1977 (42 FR 26648). The regulations were promulgated
under the authority of 15 U.S.C. 272, among other statutes, and were
initially instituted on a limited pilot project basis. The stated goal
of the program was to provide information on important product
performance characteristics in a useful form, educate consumers and
retailers on its use, and offer participating manufacturers a way to
convey the advantages of their products.
The program sought to achieve its objectives by developing
standardized test methods and labeling specifications for selected
consumer products. The performance characteristics chosen for labeling
were those of demonstrable importance to consumers that could not be
evaluated by mere inspection but could be measured objectively. Any
person could petition the Secretary of Commerce to find a need for
labeling a particular product. If such a need was established, Commerce
would develop a Performance Information Labeling Specification through
a public notice-and-comment process. Each specification included the
performance characteristics covered, the test methods to be used, a
prototype label, and the conditions for participation.
Shortly after the program's inception, Commerce issued several
amendments to its procedures. In a rule published on November 4, 1977
(42 FR 57686), Commerce granted the Secretary the authority to suspend
the program's fees and charges. This change was made to provide greater
flexibility and encourage manufacturer participation during the
program's pilot phase, modifying the original intent to make the
program self-sufficient. Subsequently, in a rule published on March 1,
1978 (43 FR 8255), Commerce amended the program's description to allow
for the inclusion of performance information required by other Federal
agencies on CPILP labels, provided the other agency agreed. This was
intended to simplify product comparison for consumers and reduce
labeling complexity for manufacturers. A final technical amendment was
published on September 18, 1990 (55 FR 38315), which updated the name
of the National Bureau of Standards to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST). Notably, that notice also indicated
that the office responsible for such programs, the Office of Product
Standards Policy, had been terminated on August 23, 1988, as part of a
broader reorganization.
B. Description of Regulations
The regulations at 15 CFR part 16 established the framework for the
CPILP. Section 16.1 stated the purpose of the part, and Sec. 16.2
described the program's goals and methods. Section 16.3 provided
definitions for key terms such as consumer, participant, consumer
product, and performance characteristic. The process for initiating and
developing labeling standards was outlined in Sec. 16.4, which
detailed the requirements for a petition to find a need for a label,
and Sec. 16.5, which described the development of Performance
Information Labeling Specifications. To ensure the program's viability,
Sec. 16.6 authorized the establishment of fees and charges, intended
to make the program's operation self-sufficient. These fees were
associated with the use of a Department of Commerce Mark, described in
Sec. 16.10, which was to be developed and registered for use on
program labels. The procedures for manufacturers, importers, and other
entities to voluntarily join the program were set forth in Sec. 16.7,
while Sec. 16.8 outlined the conditions for the termination of
participation, either by the Secretary for non-compliance or
voluntarily by the participant. Section 16.9 established rules for
``designated agents,'' such as trade associations, which could be
authorized to collect fees and statistical information from multiple
participants. Finally, the part included provisions for the amendment
of specifications (Sec. 16.11), consumer education (Sec. 16.12),
coordination with State and local programs (Sec. 16.13), and the
preparation of an annual report on the program's activities (Sec.
16.14).
II. Discussion
By this rule, Commerce is eliminating 15 CFR part 16 in its
entirety. As an initial matter, no statutory authority mandates the
promulgation and maintenance of the regulations at part 16. To be sure,
while 15 U.S.C. 272 grants general authority to Commerce and NIST to
cooperate with other government entities and industry on voluntary
standards and to disseminate technical information, it does not require
the specific procedural framework established by part 16. In the
absence of a statutory mandate, and upon review, Commerce now finds
part 16 to be unwarranted. The program to which part 16 relates is no
longer active or relied upon within Commerce and, given current
business practices as well as the existence of other mechanisms for the
development of metrology-based packaging and labeling standards and
practices, the regulations at part 16 no longer serve any meaningful
function. The removal of part 16 is therefore consistent with
Commerce's broader deregulatory approach of reconsidering and
eliminating regulations that are neither statutorily required nor
justified by a compelling interest. The removal of part 16 will also
reduce regulatory complexity and clutter and therefore reduce the
possibility of public confusion related to the labeling of consumer
products.
III. Classifications
A. Administrative Procedure Act
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), Commerce finds good cause to waive
the prior notice and opportunity for public participation requirements
of the Administrative Procedure Act for this final rule. Commerce
considers this rule to be uncontroversial, and has determined that
prior notice and opportunity for public participation is unnecessary,
because this rule only removes outdated regulations that are not
required by statute, that no longer serve any meaningful function, and
that pose a genuine risk of creating confusion regarding governmental
processes for the labeling of consumer products; the program to which
part 16 relates is now fully defunct, and that would be not be changed
by inviting public comment. For the same reasons, Commerce has
determined, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), that delaying the
effectiveness, of these amendments would be contrary to the public
interest. The outdated regulations being removed by this rule currently
pose a risk of confusion and distraction; their immediate removal will
benefit the public at little to no cost. Commerce therefore finds good
cause to waive the public notice and comment period under 553(b)(B) and
to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness under 553(d).
[[Page 1683]]
B. Executive Orders 12866, 14192, 13132
The Office of Management and Budget has determined this rule is not
significant pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 12866. This rule is an
E.O. 14192 deregulatory action. This rule does not contain policies
having federalism implications as the term is defined in E.O. 13132.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because a notice of proposed rulemaking and an opportunity for
public participation are not required to be given for this rule by 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the analytical requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are not applicable. Accordingly,
no regulatory flexibility analysis is required, and none has been
prepared.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
This rule will not impose additional reporting or recordkeeping
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.
List of Subjects for 15 CFR Part 16
Administrative practice and procedure, Advertising, Consumer
protection, Education, Labeling, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Trademarks, Voluntary standards.
Dated: January 13, 2026.
Paul Dabbar,
Deputy Secretary of Commerce.
PART 16--[REMOVED AND RESERVED]
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble under the authority of 15
U.S.C. 272 and 5 U.S.C. 301, the Department of Commerce removes and
reserves 15 CFR part 16.
[FR Doc. 2026-00686 Filed 1-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 15, 2026.
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