Antitrust Compliance Policy
It is SFA’s policy to conduct all of its business, meetings and other affairs in strict compliance with the applicable antitrust and trade regulation laws that were enacted and are enforced to promote competition and protect consumers of goods and services against undue competitive restraints. The antitrust laws, among other things, generally prohibit agreements, understandings, or joint actions among companies that unreasonably restrain competition with respect to price, quality, or distribution of products or services. These laws also prohibit competitors from acting in concert to restrict the competitive capabilities or opportunities of other competitors, suppliers, or customers.
The antitrust laws recognize that trade associations, like SFA, play an important role in the economy by identifying and developing pro-competitive and efficiency-enhancing initiatives and other collaborative activities that strengthen industries for the benefit of all market participants. It is SFA’s policy to pursue its mission consistent with these objectives and in strict compliance with appropriate safeguards against conduct that could be considered in violation of the antitrust laws. All SFA officers, staff, directors and members are directed to adhere to this policy when engaging in any SFA activity and to immediately report SFA’s legal counsel, for appropriate advice and action, any proposals, activities or incidents that may violate this antitrust compliance requirement. To promote this policy, SFA conducts annual mandatory antitrust compliance training for all of its officers and directors and staff and makes such training available to its members. Any violation of this policy is unequivocally contrary to SFA’s mission and is cause for membership expulsion or employment termination.