Sec.  1.18   Administrative Dispute Resolution.

   (a) The Commission has adopted an initial policy statement that supports and
   encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures in its
   administrative proceedings and proceedings in which the Commission is a
   party, including the use of regulatory negotiation in Commission rulemaking
   matters, as authorized under the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act and
   Negotiated Rulemaking Act.

   (b) In accordance with the Commission's policy to encourage the fullest
   possible  use  of  alternative  dispute  resolution  procedures in its
   administrative proceedings, procedures contained in the Administrative
   Dispute   Resolution   Act,  including  the  provisions  dealing  with
   confidentiality, shall also be applied in Commission alternative dispute
   resolution proceedings in which the Commission itself is not a party to the
   dispute.

   [ 56 FR 51178 , Oct. 10, 1991, as amended at  57 FR 32181 , July 21, 1992]