FTC Should Process Consent Orders More Quickly

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) processes consent orders, which are legally binding promises by businesses to stop or correct certain acts or practices. The consent order review and approval process begins when FTC staff and a business sign an agreement to settle an alleged violation of a law which FTC enforces. The agreement then goes through levels of review within FTC. The agreement must also go through a public comment period before final approval. A review was made of 116 of the consent orders which became final between October 1, 1976, and January 31, 1979.