James Kohm
During the upcoming Las Vegas Market Jan. 26-30, the Specialty Sleep Association is sponsoring a presentation by Attorney James Kohm, enforcement division associate director at the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
Kohm will address enforcement of the FTC Green Guides for manufacturers and retailers making environmental claims, and educate furniture and bedding manufacturers on how to comply with these guides.
While the guides are not binding regulations, the FTC can bring enforcement actions if a marketer makes an environmental claim the agency believes is deceptive.
Kohm will speak Monday, Jan. 27, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in space C-1 of the World Market Center.
Dale Read, SSA president, said his organization is sponsoring the FTC presentation as a public service to the home furnishings and bedding industry. This year, the FTC took action against three bedding manufacturers making green claims without scientific evidence to back up their claims. The charges have recently been settled.
“The requirement to substantiate back-up information and provide evidence for ‘green claims’ applies to the entire furniture and home furnishings industry,” says Read. “If you are a manufacturer or a retailer, and you are making either a specific green claim, or even a generalized green claim, you must substantiate your claim with specific statements, with competent and scientific evidence such as testing and/or with valid, third-party certifications. You cannot just make up these claims because they make good marketing; you cannot create your own certifications and seals. You have to have credible evidence and substantiation behind your ‘green claims’.”
Read says he encourages any manufacturer marketing furniture or bedding products with a green claim to attend the seminar.
