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Federal Trade Commission

United States government agency
Also known as: FTC
Written byColleen Connolly-Ahern
Colleen Connolly-Ahern
Contributor to SAGE Publications's Encyclopedia of Political Communication (2008) whose work for that encyclopedia formed the basis of her contributions to Britannica.
Fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
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The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government charged with preventing unfair or deceptive trade practices. Established by the Federal Trade Commission Act (1914), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates advertising, marketing, and consumer credit practices. It also prevents antitrust agreements and anticompetitive business practices, including coercive monopolies.

Although it has no authority to punish violators, it can monitor compliance with trade laws, conduct legal investigations, issue cease-and-desist orders, convene public hearings, file civil suits in U.S. district courts, and ensure that court orders are followed.

The FTC is headed by five commissioners who serve seven-year terms. Commissioners are nominated by the U.S. president and confirmed by the Senate. By law, no more than three commissioners may be members of the same political party. The FTC is divided into three main bureaus: Consumer Protection, Competition, and Economics.

Through its Bureau of Consumer Protection, the FTC regulates product claims made in advertisements in newspapers, magazines, direct mail, Internet media, television, and radio. The FTC is particularly vigorous in its regulation of health claims. However, it has no responsibility for political advertising messages, which are regulated by the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.

The Bureau of Competition regulates anticompetitive business practices, protects the free market economy, and enforces antitrust laws. This bureau works to ensure that consumers have a broad selection of goods and services at fair prices.

The Bureau of Economics uses data to inform and analyze FTC policy. It collects data on competitive market behavior and the impact of market regulation on businesses and consumers. The FTC uses this analysis to develop actions for consumer protection, business regulation, and antitrust supervision.

The FTC also manages the National Do Not Call Registry, which is designed to protect consumers from unwanted telemarketing calls under the provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR).

Colleen Connolly-AhernThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica