Washington, DC - If a disclosure is intended to inform consumers – and isn’t that pretty much the job description of a disclosure? – it should accomplish that task effectively. A “disclosure” that fails that fundamental test is no disclosure at all. That’s FTC 101. So what can be done to improve the testing and evaluation of disclosures? Leading academics and testing professionals will gather at the FTC on September 15, 2016, to explore that topic.

The agenda for Putting Disclosures to the Test explains more about what’s on the table. After remarks from FTC Chairwoman Ramirez and Chief Technologist Lorrie Cranor, the first panel will consider cognitive models that help explain how people process disclosures. Next will be a discussion of the methods for evaluating whether disclosures are effective. Then comes a conversation on consumer comprehension.

The afternoon will begin with an analysis of what we can learn from studies that evaluate the impact of disclosures on consumers’ decisionmaking. Speakers will then present case studies of disclosures in different contexts. The final panel features a “What’s next?” inquiry into studies that evaluate new approaches to conveying information. Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Jessica Rich will put the day in context with closing remarks.

Putting Disclosures to the Test is free and open to the public at the FTC’s Constitution Center conference facility, 400 7th Street, S.W., in Washington, DC. (That’s at Metro’s L’Enfant Plaza Station.) No pre-registration is necessary.

Here’s an important disclosure: If you can’t make it to Washington on September 15th, you can watch the webcast. We’ll post a link a few minutes before the 9:15 ET starting time.