bait-and-switch advertising
when sellers promote one product but seller makes that product unavailable in an attempt to sell a different or more expensive product
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP)
agency that administers federal consumer laws and protections for consumers engaged in the financial marketplace; also known as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Clean Air Act (CAA)
law that gives the EPA authority to regulate existing air pollution and the ongoing production of pollution
Clean Water Act (CWA)
1972 law amending the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948; regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
far-reaching, retroactive law concerning hazardous substances on a site
consumer product
good that is typically bought for personal, family, or household use
environmental impact statement (EIS)
federally mandated report that must be prepared for every substantial federal activity that will affect the quality of the land, air, or water
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
federal organization tasked with issuing and enforcing regulations to combat all forms of pollution and to protect endangered species
EPA self-disclosure policies
system of EPA policies that encourage organizations to do environmental self-auditing to reduce any fines the EPA might impose for violations
executive order
directive issued by the president of the United States that regulates the federal government and has the force and effect of law
express warranty
promise or guarantee by the seller or manufacturer that goods meet certain performance standards
Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
1966 law that requires product packaging to contain the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor and the net quantity on the package. The package label must also accurately describe the contents.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
independent federal agency that was created by a federal act to protect consumers, prevent anticompetitive business practices, and improve organizations' performance
full warranty
guarantees free repair of a defective product and that if the product cannot be fixed, the consumer has the choice of a refund or a free replacement
limited warranty
guarantee that offers anything less than free repair, replacement, or a cash refund when a product is defective
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
1975 federal law that governs manufacturers and sellers of consumer products that make an express written warranty
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
1970 environmental law that set forth the United States's policy of protecting the environment
puffery
exaggerated, subjective claim made by the seller during a sales pitch to promote the product
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
1976 federal law giving the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from generation to disposal, as well as manage nonhazardous solid wastes
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
1974 federal law that sets standards for drinking water supplied by the public water system
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
federal law that forbids telemarketers from making autodialed or prerecorded messages unless the consumer agreed in writing; requires an opt-out mechanism for consumer to tell telemarketer to stop calling
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
federal executive department responsible for enforcing the law