Examination of Current Policy Concerning the Treatment of Confidential Information Submitted to the Commission

The Commission denies reconsideration of its decision amending its rules concerning the treatment of confidential information submitted to the Commission. It also makes five technical amendments to its Freedom of Information Act-related rules. The amended rules provide the General Accounting Office with more expedited access to confidential information submitted to the Commission. Another amendment clarifies that if a request for confidentiality is denied, the documents will not be disclosed until the Commission disposes of an application for review or a court acts on a motion for stay. The third amendment permits third party owners of materials subject to confidentiality disputes to participate in the proceeding. Another rule amendment permits parties seeking confidential treatment of materials to reply to oppositions to requests for confidentiality.