Penalties for Violations of Wool and Textiles Rules Increased

On January 13, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission published in the Federal Register (86 FR 2539) Adjustments to Civil Penalty Amounts

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or "Commission") is implementing adjustments to the civil penalty amounts within its jurisdiction to account for inflation, as required by law.

The following adjusted amounts will take effect on January 13, 2021:

• Section 7A(g)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1) (premerger filing notification violations under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Improvements Act)--Increase from $43,280 to $43,792;
• Section 11(l) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 21(l) (violation of cease and desist orders issued under Clayton Act section 11(b))--Increase from $22,994 to $23,266;
• Section 5(l) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(l) (unfair or deceptive acts or practices)--Increase from $43,280 to $43,792;
• Section 5(m)(1)(A) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(A) (unfair or deceptive acts or practices)--Increase from $43,280 to $43,792;
• Section 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(B) (unfair or deceptive acts or practices)--Increase from $43,280 to $43,792;
• Section 10 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 50 (failure to file required reports)--Increase from $569 to $576;
• Section 5 of the Webb-Pomerene (Export Trade) Act, 15 U.S.C. 65 (failure by associations engaged solely in export trade to file required statements)--Increase from $569 to $576;
• Section 6(b) of the Wool Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 68d(b) (failure by wool manufacturers to maintain required records)--Increase from $569 to $576;
• Section 3(e) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69a(e) (failure to maintain required records regarding fur products)--Increase from $569 to $576;
• Section 8(d)(2) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69f(d)(2) (failure to maintain required records regarding fur products)--Increase from $569 to $576;
• Section 333(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 42 U.S.C. 6303(a) (knowing violations of EPCA sec. 332, including labeling violations)--Increase from $468 to $474;
• Section 525(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 42 U.S.C. 6395(a) (recycled oil labeling violations)--Increase from $22,994 to $23,266;
• Section 525(b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 42 U.S.C. 6395(b) (willful violations of recycled oil labeling requirements)--Increase from $43,280 to $43,792;
• Section 621(a)(2) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681s(a)(2) (knowing violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act)--Increase from $4,063 to $4,111;
• Section 1115(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law 108-173, as amended by Public Law 115-263, 21 U.S.C. 355 note (failure to comply with filing requirements)--Increase from $15,301 to $15,482; and
• Section 814(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, 42 U.S.C. 17304 (violations of prohibitions on market manipulation and provision of false information to Federal agencies)--Increase from $1,231,690 to $1,246,249.