BBB National Programs Archive

CDS/OZoneLite Participates In ERSP Forum

New York, NY – August 15, 2005 – The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program (ERSP), the electronic direct-response industry’s self-regulatory forum supervised by the National Advertising Revie w Council (NARC), announced that CDS/ O•ZONELite , marketers of the O•ZONELite air purifier, provided a reasonable basis for performance and safety claims made in their advertising. ERSP did recommend that the company modify comparisons to high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. The marketer’s advertising was reviewed pursuant to ERSP’s ongoing monitoring program.

Among the core claims that ERSP requested CDS/ O•ZONELite to substantiate were as follows:
“Test results show the absolute assault on smoke over a 40-minute time period.” “O•ZONELite™ is so energy efficient that it pays for itself, saving the user an average of $50 in energy consumption over the life of the bulb (lasts up to 6,000 hours — 8 times longer than an average light bulb).”
“In addition, the O•ZONELite™ is far more effective, easier to use and more cost effective than the currently popular HEPA filters.”

ERSP determined that the marketer provided a reasonable basis for the performance and safety claims made for the O•ZONELite. ERSP also acknowledged the comparative benefits of O•ZONELite regarding ease of use and cost savings. . However, ERSP determined that the marketer’s competitive testing against HEPA filters did not provide adequate support for comparative superiority claims made regarding the performance of the O?ZONELite air purifier versus HEPA filters, in general.

In response to the decision, , CDS/OZONELite noted that the company “…welcomes the conclusion of ERSP that the results … were accurately presented in the advertising for OZONELite™ and demonstrated the effectiveness of OZONELite™ in reducing smoke, airborne bacteria, airborne fungal spores (mold), various harmful gases and pollen.”

The company also said it would “discontinue superiority claims as against HEPA filters until it conducts comparative testing proving performance superiority.”