On Dec. 13, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking for a status update on a 2011 request for comments to update the implementation guidance for the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The letter is on the heels of Blackburn posing a question regarding the status of the implementation guidance directly to the FTC commissioners during a Congressional hearing on Dec. 3.

The letter, addressed to FTC Chair Edith Ramirez, relates to the Aug. 23, 2011 Federal Register notice from the FTC that requested comments on whether the FTC should expand their interpretation of the section of the law that makes it illegal for manufacturers to require the use of certain products or services in order to maintain their product's warranty. AAIA submitted comments to the commission requesting that additional information on their warranty rights be provided to consumers both when they purchase the product and when they are denied a warranty claim due to the use of an aftermarket part or service. However, after more than two years, the FTC has yet to issue implementation update.

Blackburn did not ask for a particular decision from the commission, but simply sought updates on behalf of the automotive aftermarket in four areas: 1) The status of the review regarding the "Interpretations, Rules and Guides: Its Interpretations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" document; 2) Any actions on this matter that have been taken, but not reported publicly; 3) The commission's anticipated timeline for this review going forward; 4) The status of investigation of the attached complaints that been submitted by the aftermarket groups to the FTC for a response.

AAIA is awaiting a response from the FTC.