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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 640. Voluntary agreements among small-business concerns
(a) Consultation with President
The President is authorized to consult with representatives of
small-business concerns with a view to encouraging the making by
such persons with the approval of the President of voluntary
agreements and programs to further the objectives of this chapter.
(b) Exemption from certain laws; findings and requests; filing and
publication
No act or omission to act pursuant to this chapter which occurs
while this chapter is in effect, if requested by the President
pursuant to a voluntary agreement or program approved under
subsection (a) of this section and found by the President to be in
the public interest as contributing to the national defense, shall
be construed to be within the prohibitions of the antitrust laws or
the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.] of the
United States. A copy of each such request intended to be within
the coverage of this section, and any modification or withdrawal
thereof, shall be furnished to the Attorney General and the
Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission when made, and it shall be
published in the Federal Register unless publication thereof would,
in the opinion of the President, endanger the national security.
(c) Delegation of authority; consultation; approval of requests
The authority granted in subsection (b) of this section shall be
delegated only (1) to an official who shall for the purpose of such
delegation be required to be appointed by the President by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, (2) upon the condition that
such official consult with the Attorney General and the Chairman of
the Federal Trade Commission not less than ten days before making
any request or finding thereunder, and (3) upon the condition that
such official obtain the approval of the Attorney General to any
request thereunder before making the request.
(d) Inapplicability of section when request or finding withdrawn
Upon withdrawal of any request or finding hereunder, or upon
withdrawal by the Attorney General of his approval of the voluntary
agreement or program on which the request or finding is based, the
provisions of this section shall not apply to any subsequent act,
or omission to act, by reason of such finding or request.
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