Topic: ABS BrakeSafe
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Agency: Federal Trade Commission
Date: 28 October 1996 |
BST Enterprises, Inc., maker of ABS BrakeSafe Equipment and its president Michael Woodruff, were cited in Judge Parker’s default judgement.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the automobile industry define ABS as a system that automatically controls the degree of rotational wheel slip during braking. Currently, manufacturer-installed ABS employ electronic sensors at the wheels that detect wheel slip, or lock-up, and automatically adjust brake pressure as needed to alleviate it. According to the FTC complaint, the add-on systems at issue do not meet the NHTSA standards.
According to the FTC complaint BST falsely represented that their retrofit brakes are anti-lock braking systems that perform as well as ABS during emergency stops, comply with ABS standards, and entitle a consumer to ABS insurance discounts.
Judge Parker’s order will bar BST and Woodruff from using the term ABS in connection with their retrofitted brakes. In addition they will be barred from representing that their brakes:
Judge Parker’s order would also prohibit safety claims, unless, at the time of the representations Woodruff possesses and relies upon competent and reliable scientific evidence. The order also would bar misrepresentations about tests or studies and the misleading use of endorsements.
Judge Parker’s order is subject to review by the full Commission either on the Commission’s own motion or on appeal by the respondents. If not appealed within 30 days, it would become the Commission’s decision and order and would be effective 60 days after it is served on the respondents.
Copies of the initial decision and order, the partial summary decision and other documents associated with this case, are available from the FTC’s Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-2222; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-653-4261. To find out the latest news as it is announced, call the FTC NewsPhone recording at 202-326-2710. FTC news releases and other materials also are available on the Internet at the FTC’s World Wide Web site at: https://www.ftc.gov
Claudia Bourne Farrell,
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2181
(FTC Docket No. 9276)