In general
Except as provided under subpart 1, no Federal agency may consider a complaint or petition against any standards-related activity regarding an imported product, if that activity is engaged in within the United States and is covered by the Agreement, unless the Trade Representative finds, and informs the agency concerned in writing, that—
section 2552(2) of this title the country of origin of the imported product is a Party to the Agreement or a foreign country described in ; and
the dispute settlement procedures provided under the Agreement are not appropriate.
Exemptions
This section does not apply with respect to causes of action arising under—
section 12(a) of title 15 the antitrust laws as defined in ; or
statutes administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
section 553 of title 5This section does not apply with respect to petitions and proceedings that are provided for under the practices of any Federal agency for the purpose of ensuring, in accordance with , that interested persons are given an opportunity to participate in agency rulemaking or to seek the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.
Pub. L. 96–39, title IV, § 44193 Stat. 248Pub. L. 103–182, title III, § 351(b)(2)(A)107 Stat. 2122Pub. L. 104–295, § 21(b)(1)110 Stat. 3529(, , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 104–295Pub. L. 103–1821996— amended directory language of . See 1993 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 103–182Pub. L. 104–2951993—Subsec. (a). , as amended by , substituted “Trade Representative” for “Special Representative”.