THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR250.3]
[Page 182]

TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

PART 250--GUIDES FOR THE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE INDUSTRY--Table of Contents
Sec. 250.3 Identity of woods.

Industry members should not use any direct or indirect representation concerning the identity of the wood in industry products that is false or likely to mislead purchasers as to the actual wood composition.

(b) Mahogany.

(1) The unqualified term mahogany should not be used to describe wood other than genuine solid mahogany (genus Swietenia of the Meliaceae family). The woods of genus Swietenia may be described by the term ``mahogany'' with or without a prefix designating the country or region of its origin, such as ``Honduras mahogany'', ``Costa Rican mahogany'', ``Brazilian mahogany'' or ``Mexican mahogany''.
(2) The term ``mahogany'' may be used to describe solid wood of the genus Khaya of the Meliaceae family, but only when prefixed by the word ``African'' (e.g., ``African mahogany desk'').
(3) In naming or designating the seven non-mahogany Philippine woods Tanguile, Red Lauan, White Lauan, Tiaong, Almon, Mayapis, and Bagtikan, the term ``mahogany'' may be used but only when prefixed by the word ``Philippine'' (e.g., ``Philippine mahogany table''), due to the long
standing usage of that term. Examples of improper use of the term ``mahogany'' include reference to Red Lauan as ``Lauan mahogany'' or to White Lauan as ``Blond Lauan mahogany''. Such woods, however, may be described as ``Red Lauan'' or ``Lauan'' or ``White Lauan'', respectively. The term ``Philippine mahogany'' will be accepted as a name or designation of the seven woods named above. Such term shall not
be applied to any other wood, whether or not grown on the Philippine Islands.
(4) The term ``mahogany'', with or without qualifications, should not be used to describe any other wood except as provided above. This applies also to any of the woods belonging to the Meliaceae family, other than genera Swietenia and Khaya.

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