One-year restriction on any former employee's representations, aid, or advice concerning ongoing trade or treaty negotiation.
5 C.F.R. § 2641.203
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01(a) Basic prohibition of 18 U.S.C. 207(b). For one year after his Government service terminates, no former employee shall, on the basis of “covered information,” knowingly represent, aid, or advise any other person concerning an ongoing trade or treaty negotiation in which, during his last year of Government service, he participated personally and substantially as an employee. “Covered information” refers to agency records which were accessible to the employee which he knew or should have known were designated as exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
(b) Exceptions and waivers. The prohibition of 18 U.S.C. 207(b) does not apply to a former employee who is:
(1) Acting on behalf of the United States. See § 2641.301(a).
(2) Acting as an elected State or local government official. See § 2641.301(b).
(3) Testifying under oath. See § 2641.301(f).
(4) Acting on behalf of an international organization pursuant to a waiver. See § 2641.301(h).
(5) Acting as an employee at a Government-owned, contractor-operated entity pursuant to a waiver. See § 2641.301(i).
(c) Commencement and length of restriction. 18 U.S.C. 207(b) commences upon an employee's termination from Government service. The restriction lasts for one year or until the termination of the negotiation, whichever occurs first.
(d) Represent, aid, or advise. [Reserved]
(e) Any other person. [Reserved]
(f) On the basis of. [Reserved]
(g) Covered information. [Reserved]
(h) Ongoing trade or treaty negotiation. [Reserved]
(i) Participated personally and substantially. [Reserved]
Source: eCFRURL: https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2024-07-01/title-5.xmlFetched: 7/26/2026