Comply with the FTC R-value Rule (16 CFR Part 460) when advertising insulation or radiant barrier products

Steps

1. Read the current rule text at eCFR (ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-460) as the authoritative, continuously updated source, rather than a cached/older Federal Register notice PDF.
2. Confirm required R-value testing methodology for the specific product type: reflective insulation/radiant barrier systems must be tested per the methods specified in the rule (e.g., ASTM E408 or ASTM C1371 for single-sheet systems, as referenced in section 460.5(c)) before any R-value claim is made.
3. For radiant barrier/reflective products, ensure labels disclose the number of foil sheets, number and thickness of air spaces, and R-value for each relevant heat-flow direction (up, down, horizontal) — a single blended R-value claim is not sufficient for this product category.
4. Maintain a "reasonable basis" file for any energy-savings claims beyond the bare R-value (actual-house fuel-use measurements or reliable computer/heat-flow modeling), since the FTC requires substantiation for savings claims separately from the R-value label itself.
5. Check ftc.gov's R-Value Rule page (ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/r-value-rule) periodically for rulemaking activity, since FTC has issued Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking reviewing this rule and specific provisions can change.