Notice2025-18319

Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
September 22, 2025

Issuing agencies

Federal Trade Commission

Abstract

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) is publishing its semiannual regulatory agenda in accordance with section 22(d)(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 57b-3(d)(1) and the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 to 612, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 181 (Monday, September 22, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 181 (Monday, September 22, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45644-45646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18319]



[[Page 45643]]

Vol. 90

Monday,

No. 181

September 22, 2025

Part XX





Federal Trade Commission





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 181 / Monday, September 22, 2025 / 
Unified Agenda

[[Page 45644]]


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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

16 CFR Ch. I


Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) is publishing 
its semiannual regulatory agenda in accordance with section 22(d)(1) of 
the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. 57b-3(d)(1) and the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 to 612, as amended by 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission's agenda follows guidelines 
and procedures issued March 26, 2025, by the Office of Management and 
Budget in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order (E.O.) 
12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' of September 30, 1993, 58 FR 
51735 (Oct. 4, 1993).\1\
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    \1\ E.O. 14215 ``Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies'' (90 
FR 10447 (Feb. 18, 2025)), among other items, requires independent 
agencies to submit to the Office of Management and Budget for review 
all significant proposed and final regulatory actions pursuant to 
E.O. 12866 Section 6.
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    The Government-wide Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and 
Deregulatory Actions includes a list of all regulatory actions under 
development or review and is scheduled for publication in its entirety 
on <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov">www.reginfo.gov</a> and <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> in a format that offers 
users a greatly enhanced ability to obtain information from the agenda 
database.
    The RFA requires publication in the Federal Register of agenda 
entries for rules that are likely to have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602) and any such rules 
that the agency has identified for periodic review under section 610 of 
the RFA. For spring 2025, the Commission has one rule, the Unfair or 
Deceptive Fees Trade Regulation Rule, 16 CFR 464, that meets the RFA's 
publication requirements. In addition, the Commission has rules or 
rulemakings that would be a ``significant regulatory action'' under the 
definition in Executive Order 12866, including: the Unfair or Deceptive 
Fees Trade Regulation Rule, 16 CFR 464; the amendments to the Premerger 
Notification Rules and Report Form, found at 16 CFR 801-803 and 
relating to substantive HSR form changes, including implementing 
congressionally-mandated reporting requirements on foreign subsidies; 
the Non-Compete Clause Rule, 16 CFR 910, a rule that is subject to 
ongoing litigation, and the Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade 
Regulation Rule, a rule that has since been vacated by the courts and 
which was to have otherwise been codified at 16 CFR 463.
    The Commission has identified rulemakings that are likely to have 
some impact on small entities, but do not meet the RFA's publication 
requirements. The current rulemakings that are likely to have some 
impact on small entities are: (1) the Energy Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 305; 
(2) the Alternative Fuels Rule, 16 CFR 309; (3) the Telemarketing Sales 
Rule, 16 CFR 310; (4) the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, 16 
CFR 312; (5) the Negative Option Rule, 16 CFR 425; (6) the Cooling-Off 
Rule, 16 CFR 429; (7) the Franchise Rule, 16 CFR 436; (8) the Business 
Opportunity Rule, 16 CFR 437; (9) the Funeral Rule, 16 CFR 453; (10) 
the Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and 
Businesses, 16 CFR 461; (11) the Identity Theft Rules, 16 CFR 681; (12) 
the proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Earnings Claims, to be codified 
at 16 CFR 462; (13) the potential Trade Regulation Rule on Commercial 
Surveillance, 87 FR 51273 (Aug. 22, 2022); and (14) the Trade 
Regulation Rule on Unfair and Deceptive Fees, 16 CFR 464.
    This agenda reflects only deregulatory plans already announced by 
the Commission. In line with the President's Executive Orders 14192, 
``Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,'' 90 FR 9065 (Feb. 6, 
2025), and 14219, ``Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the 
President's ``Department of Government Efficiency'' Deregulatory 
Initiative,'' 90 FR 10583 (Feb. 25, 2025), the Commission is 
considering further deregulatory actions not reflected in this agenda. 
The Commission's rulemaking review process carefully considers 
regulatory burdens and streamlines rules when feasible and appropriate. 
In particular, the Commission intends to review decades-old rules to 
determine whether they are obsolete and could be narrowed or rescinded.
    The majority of the rulemakings listed in the agenda are being 
conducted as part of the Commission's systematic review of all of its 
regulations and guides on a rotating basis. Under the Commission's 
program, rules are reviewed on a 10-year schedule. In each rule review, 
the Commission requests public comments on, among other things, the 
economic impact and benefits of the rule; possible conflict between the 
rule and state, local, or other federal laws or regulations; and the 
effect on the rule of any technological, economic, or other industry 
changes. These reviews incorporate and expand upon the review required 
by the RFA and regulatory reform initiatives directing agencies to 
conduct a review of all regulations and eliminate or revise those that 
are outdated or otherwise in need of reform.
    Except for notice of completed actions, the information in this 
agenda represents the judgment of Commission staff, based upon 
information now available. Each projected date of action reflects FTC 
staff's assessment that the specified event will occur this year. No 
final determination by the staff or the Commission respecting the need 
for or the substance of a rule should be inferred from the notation of 
projected events in this agenda. In most instances, the dates of future 
events are listed by month, not by a specific day. The information in 
this agenda may change as new information, changes of circumstances, or 
changes in the law occur.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about specific 
regulatory actions listed in the agenda, call, email, or write the 
contact person listed for each particular proceeding. General comments 
or questions about the agenda should be directed to G. Richard Gold; 
Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20580, telephone: (202) 326-3355; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9be9fcf4f7ffdbfdeff8b5fcf4ed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a8dacfc7c4cce8cedccb86cfc7de">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

    By direction of the Commission.
April J. Tabor,
Secretary.

[[Page 45645]]



               Federal Trade Commission--Final Rule Stage
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                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
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307.......................  Non-Compete Clause Rule...         3084-AB74
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               Federal Trade Commission--Completed Actions
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                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
308.......................  Unfair or Deceptive Fees           3084-AB77
                             Trade Regulation Rule.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Federal Trade Commission (FTC)              Final Rule Stage
 
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307. NON-COMPETE CLAUSE RULE [3084-AB74]

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. 41 to 58
    Abstract: On January 19, 2023, the Commission proposed the Non-
Compete Clause Rule. 88 FRS 3482 (Jan. 19, 2023). The comment period as 
extended closed on April 19, 2023, 88 FR 20441 (Apr. 6, 2023), and the 
Commission received over 26,000 public comments. The Commission issued 
a final rule on May 7, 2024. 89 FR 38342 (May 7, 2024). The Non-Compete 
Clause Rule provides that it is an unfair method of competition and 
therefore a violation of section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act 
for persons to, among other things, enter into or attempt to enter into 
non-compete clauses with workers on or after the final rule's effective 
date. On August 15, 2024, a federal district court in Florida issued a 
decision granting a stay and enjoining the FTC's enforcement of the 
Rule against the plaintiff in that case. On August 20, 2024, a federal 
district court in Texas issued a similar order, which had a nationwide 
effect of stopping the FTC from enforcing the rule on September 4, 
2024, the rule's effective date. On March 7, 2025, the federal 
government filed motions for a 120-day stay of its challenges in the 
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. The appeals 
courts are considering the lower federal court rulings in Texas and 
Florida that invalidated or enjoined, respectively, the Biden-era FTC 
rule that would have banned nearly all noncompete agreements. The Rule 
is under review.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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NPRM................................   01/19/23  88 FR 3482
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   04/06/23  88 FR 20441
NPRM Extended Comment Period End....   04/19/23
Final Rule..........................   05/07/24  89 FR 38342
Final Rule Effective Date--stayed...   09/04/24
Motion to Stay Ruling for 120 Days..   03/21/25
FTC Files Status Report With Court..   07/00/25
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    Agency Contact: Clarke Edwards, Acting Director, Office of Policy 
Planning, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20580
    Phone: 202 326-2097
    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5734323320362533241731233479303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5f3c3a3b283e2d3b2c1f392b3c71383029">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>
    RIN: 3084-AB74

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      Federal Trade Commission (FTC)              Completed Actions
 
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308. UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE FEES TRADE REGULATION RULE [3084-AB77]

    Legal Authority: 15 U.S.C. secs. 41 to 58
    Abstract: On November 8, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission issued 
an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to address certain deceptive 
or unfair acts or practices relating to fees. 87 FR 67413 (Nov. 8, 
2022). A Commission rule codifying prohibitions against or limitations 
on certain kinds of prevalent unfair or deceptive fee practices 
protects the American people and brings greater price transparency to 
the marketplace. The Commission solicited written comment, data, and 
argument concerning the need for such a rulemaking to prevent persons, 
entities, and organizations from imposing such fees on consumers. The 
public comment period as extended closed on February 8, 2023.
    On November 9, 2023, the Commission issued a notice of proposed 
rulemaking to promulgate a trade regulation rule to prohibit unfair or 
deceptive practices relating to fees for goods or services, 
specifically, misrepresenting the total costs of goods and services by 
omitting mandatory fees from advertised prices and misrepresenting the 
nature and purpose of fees. 88 FR 77420 (Nov. 9, 2023). The extended 
public comment period closed on February 7, 2024. On April 24, 2024, 
the Commission held an informal hearing at the request of eight 
commenters. Seventeen commenters participated at the informal hearing.
    On January 10, 2025, the Commission issued the Final Rule, which 
requires that businesses clearly and conspicuously disclose the true 
total price inclusive of all mandatory fees whenever they offer, 
display, or advertise any price of live-event tickets or short-term 
lodging. Businesses cannot misrepresent any fee or charge in any offer, 
display, or ad for live-event tickets or short-term lodging. 90 FR 2066 
(Jan. 10, 2025). The Rule was effective on May 12, 2025.
    Timetable:

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               Action                    Date            FR Cite
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ANPRM...............................   11/08/22  87 FR 67413
ANPRM Extended Comment Period End...   02/08/23  88 FR 4796
NPRM................................   11/09/23  88 FR 77420
NPRM Comment Period Extended........   01/02/24  89 FR 38
NPRM Extended Comment Period End....   02/07/24
Notice of Informal Hearing..........   03/27/24  89 FR 21216
Informal Hearing....................   04/24/24
Final Rule..........................   01/10/25  90 FR 2066
Final Rule Effective Date...........   05/12/25
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    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    Agency Contact: Janice Kopec, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, 
600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580
    Phone: 202 326-2550
    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#650f0e0a150006250311064b020a13"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8828387988d8ba88e9c8bc68f879e">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>

[[Page 45646]]

    Edwin Rodriguez, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, 600 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580
    Phone: 202 326-3147
    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d382f32392f343a2838271d3b293e733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a6c3d4c9c2d4cfc1d3c3dce6c0d2c588c1c9d0">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>
    RIN: 3084-AB77

[FR Doc. Filed 08-18-25; 0:00 a.m.]

BILLING CODE 6750-01-P

[FR Doc. 2025-18319 Filed 9-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on September 22, 2025.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.