Merger Rules Updated: Higher Thresholds Mean More Filings

2026-16827, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) requests that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) extend for three years the current Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) clearance for its Trade Regulation Rule on Disclosure Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning Franchising (Franchise Rule or Rule). The current clearance expires on August 31, 2026.

2026-16617, Regulatory Agenda

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) is publishing its 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. The Commission's agenda follows guidelines and procedures issued September 15, 2025, by the Office of Management and Budget in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review," 58 FR 51735 (Oct. 4, 1993) and Executive Order 14192, "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation," 90 FR 9065 (Feb. 6, 2025). 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 www.reginfo.gov and www.regulations.gov 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 the 2026 agenda, the Commission has no rule that meets the RFA's publication requirements. 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 Fuel Rule, 16 CFR 309; (3) the removal of the vacated 2024 amendments to the Negative Option Rule, 16 CFR 425; (4) the Cooling-Off Rule, 16 CFR 429; (5) the Amplifier Rule, 16 CFR 432; (6) the Business Opportunity Rule, 16 CFR 437; (7) the Impersonation Rule, 16 CFR 461; (8) the withdrawal of the final rule for the vacated Combating Auto Retail Scams Rule (16 CFR 463); (9) the proposed Earnings Claims Trade Regulation Rule, to be codified at 16 CFR 462; (10) Unfair or Deceptive Fees Trade Regulation Rule, 16 CFR 464; and (11) the removal of the vacated Non-Compete Clause Rule from 16 CFR 910. The Commission's rulemaking review process carefully considers regulatory burdens and streamlines rules when feasible and appropriate. 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.

2026-15955, Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

The FTC proposes to modify its Privacy Act system of records notices (SORNs) by adding a routine use to four specific SORNs to comply with Executive Order 14249, Protecting America's Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, and OMB Memorandum M-25-32, Preventing Improper Payments and Protecting Privacy Through Do Not Pay. The FTC is also separately making technical changes to three of these SORNs.

2026-15913, Caremark and Zinc Health Services; Analysis of Proposed Agreement Containing Consent Order To Aid Public Comment

The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of Federal law prohibiting unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis of Proposed Agreement Containing Consent Orders to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the complaint and the terms of the consent order--embodied in the consent agreement-- that would settle these allegations.

2026-15182, Petition for Rulemaking of the National Consumers League, Campaign for Fairer Gambling, the National Council for Problem Gambling, the Public Health Advocacy Institute, and Truth in Advertising, Inc.

Please take notice that the Federal Trade Commission ("Commission") received a petition for rulemaking from the National Consumers League, Campaign for Fairer Gambling, the National Council for Problem Gambling, the Public Health Advocacy Institute, and Truth in Advertising, Inc., and has published that petition online at https://www.regulations.gov. The Commission invites written comments concerning the petition. Publication of this petition is pursuant to the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure and does not affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

2026-14920, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension

The Federal Trade Commission wants to keep its rules for how gas stations and fuel sellers measure and share fuel quality for three more years. This affects refiners, importers, distributors, and retailers who must keep records and share fuel ratings. Comments on this plan are open until September 21, 2026, and the paperwork costs about $455,000 a year in labor.

Previous: 2026-00876, Notice of Receipt of Complaint; Solicitation of Comments Relating to the Public Interest

The U.S. International Trade Commission got a complaint about certain disposable vape devices and their parts being imported and sold in the U.S. They want the public to share thoughts on how this might affect everyone. This could lead to changes in what vape products are allowed, so businesses and consumers should pay attention soon.

Next: 2026-00878, Notice of Filing of Plats of Survey and Supplemental Plats; New Mexico; Oklahoma

The Bureau of Land Management is officially filing new and updated land survey maps for parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma in 30 days. These changes help manage public lands better and affect local agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and National Park Service. If you disagree with any survey, you have until February 17, 2026, to file a protest—no money changes hands unless you want copies of the maps.