Federal Trade Commission Announces Agenda for March Open Meeting

The Federal Trade Commission under the leadership of Chair Lina M. Khan has disclosed the agenda for the upcoming open meeting scheduled for March 21, 2024. The meeting, to be conducted virtually, will convene at 11am ET and will kick off with a public forum allowing individuals to address the Commission directly.

One of the key highlights on the agenda is a presentation by the staff of the Division of Marketing Practices. They will delve into the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), which aims to prevent deceptive practices in business-to-business telemarketing activities. It is also expected that the Commission will deliberate on issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking to extend the TSR’s safeguards to inbound telemarketing calls offering technology support services.

Additionally, the Commission will engage in discussions centered around a comprehensive report on the root causes of disruptions in the supply chain. The report will outline findings by FTC staff regarding the impact of supply chain disruptions on consumer goods suppliers and retailers, with a particular focus on potential disparities affecting smaller retail businesses. Notably, the investigation originated from inquiries directed at nine major retailers, wholesalers, and consumer goods suppliers towards the end of 2021.

At the onset of the meeting, Chair Khan will deliver brief remarks, following which members of the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the Commission’s activities and raise pertinent concerns. Participants interested in addressing the Commission virtually on March 21 are encouraged to register in advance for a two-minute speaking slot. For those unable to attend, written submissions or links to pre-recorded videos are also welcomed.

Registration for speakers and submission of comments will remain open until 8 pm ET on March 19, 2023. On the day of the event, a link to the virtual meeting will be accessible on FTC.gov prior to the session. The meeting will be recorded, and the webcast, along with any relevant comments, will be accessible on the Commission’s website post the event. The FTC reserves the right to make public comments available on ftc.gov following the meeting.