Maintenance of Books, Records and Reports by Traders, 60767-60771 [E7-21077]

Agencies

• Commodity Futures Trading Commission

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 207 (Friday, October 26, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60767-60771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21077]


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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17 CFR Part 18

RIN 3038-AC22


Maintenance of Books, Records and Reports by Traders

AGENCY: Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) is 
amending Commission Regulation 18.05 in two respects: to make it 
explicit that persons holding or controlling reportable positions on a 
designated contract market (DCM) or derivatives transaction execution 
facility (DTEF) must retain books and records and make available to the 
Commission upon request any pertinent information with respect to all 
other positions and transactions in the commodity in which the trader 
has a reportable position, including positions held or controlled or 
transactions executed on all reporting markets, over-the-counter (OTC) 
and/or pursuant to Sections 2(d), 2(g) or 2(h)(1)-(2) of the Commodity 
Exchange Act (Act) or Part 35 of the Commission's regulations, on 
exempt commercial markets operating pursuant to Sections 2(h)(3)-(5) of 
the Act (ECMs), on exempt boards of trade operating pursuant to Section 
5d of the Act (EBOTs), and on foreign boards of trade (FBOTs); and to 
make the regulation clearer and more complete with respect to hedging 
activity. The amendments will enhance the Commission's ability to deter 
and prevent price manipulation or any other disruptions to the 
integrity of the regulated futures markets, help to ensure the 
avoidance of systemic risk, and clarify the meaning of the regulation.

DATES: Effective Date: November 26, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Duane C. Andresen, Special Counsel, 
Division of Market Oversight, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 
Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW., Washington, DC 20581. 
Telephone 202-418-5492; e-mail dandresen@cftc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Purpose of Regulation 18.05 and Statutory Basis

    Section 3(b) of the Act \1\ declares that the purpose of the Act is 
to, among

[[Page 60768]]

other things, deter and prevent price manipulation or any other 
disruptions to market integrity and to ensure the financial integrity 
of all transactions subject to the Act and the avoidance of systemic 
risk. Section 4i of the Act \2\ requires persons holding futures or 
option positions at DCMs or DTEFs at or above certain levels to keep 
books and records of all:
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    \1\ 7 U.S.C. Sec.  5(b) (2007). Sec.  3(b) of the Act provides 
in full:
    It is the purpose of this chapter to serve the public interests 
described in subsection (a) of this section through a system of 
effective self-regulation of trading facilities, clearing systems, 
market participants and market professionals under the oversight of 
the Commission. To foster these public interests, it is further the 
purpose of this chapter to deter and prevent price manipulation or 
any other disruptions to market integrity; to ensure the financial 
integrity of all transactions subject to this chapter and the 
avoidance of systemic risk; to protect all market participants from 
fraudulent or other abusive sales practices and misuses of customer 
assets; and to promote responsible innovation and fair competition 
among boards of trade, other markets and market participants.
    \2\ 7 U.S.C.Sec.  6i (2007). Sec.  4i of the Act provides:
    It shall be unlawful for any person to make any contract for the 
purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery on or subject 
to the rules of any contract market or derivatives transaction 
execution facility--
    (1) if such person shall directly or indirectly make such 
contracts with respect to any commodity or any future of such 
commodity during any one day in an amount equal to or in excess of 
such amount as shall be fixed from time to time by the Commission, 
and
    (2) if such person shall directly or indirectly have or obtain a 
long or short position in any commodity or any future of such 
commodity equal to or in excess of such amount as shall be fixed 
from time to time by the Commission, unless such person files or 
causes to be filed with the properly designated officer of the 
Commission such reports regarding any transactions or positions 
described in clauses (1) and (2) hereof as the Commission may by 
rule or regulation require and unless, in accordance with rules and 
regulations of the Commission, such person shall keep books and 
records of all such transactions and positions and transactions and 
positions in any such commodity traded on or subject to the rules of 
any other board of trade, and of cash or spot transactions in, and 
inventories and purchase and sale commitments of such commodity. 
Such books and records shall show complete details concerning all 
such transactions, positions, inventories, and commitments, 
including the names and addresses of all persons having any interest 
therein, and shall be open at all times to inspection by any 
representative of the Commission or the Department of Justice. For 
the purposes of this section, the futures and cash or spot 
transactions and positions of any person shall include such 
transactions and positions of any persons directly or indirectly 
controlled by such person.
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    (1) Transactions and positions in the exchange-traded commodity;
    (2) Transactions and positions in any such commodity traded on or 
subject to the rules of any other board of trade; and
    (3) Cash or spot transactions in, and inventories and purchase and 
sale commitments of such commodity.
    Such books and records must be open at all times for inspection by 
any representative of the Commission or the Department of Justice.
    Section 8a(5) of the Act \3\ provides explicit authority to the 
Commission to make and promulgate such rules and regulations as, in the 
judgment of the Commission, are reasonably necessary to effectuate any 
of the provisions or to accomplish any of the purposes of the Act. In 
order to accomplish the purposes of Sections 3(b) and 4i set forth 
above, the Commission has promulgated regulations creating market and 
large trader reporting requirements.\4\ Included among these 
regulations is a requirement that persons holding futures or option 
positions at DCMs or DTEFs (reporting markets) \5\ at or above 
reportable levels (reportable positions) \6\ be identified to the 
Commission through the large trader reporting system (LTRS).
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    \3\ 7 U.S.C. 12a(5) (2007).
    \4\ The Commission's market and large trader reporting rules are 
contained in Parts 15 through 21 of the Commission's regulations.
    \5\ Pursuant to Commission Regulation 15.00(m), a reporting 
market means a DCM and, unless determined otherwise by the 
Commission with respect to the facility or a specific contract 
listed by the facility, a DTEF.
    \6\ Pursuant to Commission Regulation 15.00(l), reportable 
position means:
    (1) For reports specified in parts 17, 18 and Sec.  19.00(a)(2) 
and (a)(3) of this chapter any open contract position that at the 
close of the market on any business day equals or exceeds the 
quantity specified in Sec.  15.03 of this part in either:
    (i) Any one future of any commodity on any one reporting market, 
excluding future contracts against which notices of delivery have 
been stopped by a trader or issued by the clearing organization of a 
reporting market; or
    (ii) Long or short put or call options that exercise into the 
same future of any commodity, or long or short put or call options 
for options on physicals that have identical expirations and 
exercise into the same physical, on any one reporting market.
    (2) For the purposes of reports specified in Sec.  19.00(a)(1) 
of this chapter, any combined futures and futures-equivalent option 
open contract position as defined in part 150 of this chapter in any 
one month or in all months combined, either net long or net short in 
any commodity on any one reporting market, excluding futures 
positions against which notices of delivery have been stopped by a 
trader or issued by the clearing organization of a reporting market, 
which at the close of the market on the last business day of the 
week exceeds the net quantity limit in spot, single or in all-months 
fixed in Sec.  150.2 of this chapter for the particular commodity 
and reporting market.
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    The LTRS, which requires that clearing members, futures commission 
merchants (FCM) and foreign brokers file daily reports with the 
Commission, enables the Commission to assess an individual trader's 
activities and potential market power and to enforce the Commission or 
DCM-set limits on speculative positions.\7\ Once a trader holds a 
reportable position, the trader is subject to Commission Regulation 
18.05,\8\ which requires that the trader keep books and records showing 
all details concerning:
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    \7\ The Commission also uses large trader reporting information 
as a means to ensure the avoidance of systemic risk in that such 
information enables Commission staff to determine which FCMs 
carrying accounts might have exposure in particular markets.
    \8\ Regulation 18.05 states in full:
    Every trader who holds or controls a reportable futures or 
option position shall keep books and records showing all details 
concerning all positions and transactions for future delivery in the 
commodity on all reporting markets, all positions and transactions 
in the commodity option, and all positions and transactions in the 
cash commodity, its products and byproducts and, in addition, 
commercial activities that the trader hedges in the commodity 
underlying the futures contract in which the trader is reportable, 
and shall upon request furnish to the Commission any pertinent 
information concerning such positions, transactions or activities.
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    (1) All positions and transactions for future delivery in the 
commodity on all reporting markets;
    (2) All positions and transactions in the commodity option;
    (3) All positions and transactions in the cash commodity, its 
products and byproducts; and
    (4) Commercial activities that the trader hedges in the commodity 
underlying the futures contract in which the trader is reportable.\9\
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    \9\ In describing the requirements of Regulation 18.05 in 1981, 
the Commission stated:
    The regulation requires reportable traders to maintain books and 
records of futures positions and transactions in the commodity in 
which they are reportable and all positions and transactions in the 
cash commodity and its products and byproducts * * *. [T]he 
Commission wishes to underscore its view that the book and 
recordkeeping requirements and inspection provision contained 
therein are essential to accomplish the purposes of the Act and 
within the Commission's authority to adopt pursuant to section[s] 4i 
and 8a(5) of the Act. These requirements have always applied to the 
traders who hold or control a reportable position, and have not been 
restricted in any way. ``Reporting Requirements for Contract 
Markets, Futures Commission Merchants, Members of Exchanges and 
Large Traders,'' 46 FR 59960, 59963 (December 8, 1981) (footnote 
omitted).
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    A reportable trader is required to furnish to the Commission, upon 
request, any pertinent information concerning these positions, 
transactions or activities. \10\ Traders who do not hold reportable 
positions do not have obligations under Regulation 18.05.
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    \10\ The Commission currently requests such information an 
average of three times per year.
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II. Proposal

A. Introduction

    In order to enhance its ability to detect and prevent manipulation 
of regulated markets and products and to ensure the avoidance of 
systemic risk, as well as to clarify the meaning of the regulation and 
bring it up to date, the Commission published in the Federal Register a 
proposal to amend Regulation 18.05 in the following respects: \11\
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    \11\ 72 FR 34413 (June 22, 2007).
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    1. To make it explicit that persons holding or controlling 
reportable positions on a reporting market must retain books and 
records and make available to the Commission upon request pertinent 
information with respect to all non-reporting transactions, i.e., all 
positions and transactions in the commodity in which the trader is 
reportable, including transactions

[[Page 60769]]

executed on all reporting markets, OTC and/or pursuant to Sections 
2(d), 2(g) or 2(h)(1)-(2) of the Act or Part 35 of the Commission's 
regulations, on ECMs operating pursuant to Sections 2(h)(3)-(5) of the 
Act, on EBOTs operating pursuant to Section 5d of the Act, and on 
FBOTs; and
    2. To make the regulation clearer and more complete with respect to 
hedging activity.

B. Proposed Amendments Related to Recordkeeping and Reporting

    The proposal recognized that there is a close relationship among 
transactions conducted on reporting markets and non-reporting 
transactions and that it is sometimes necessary to determine all 
transactions and positions in the commodity in which the trader is 
reportable in order to more effectively detect and prevent manipulation 
of regulated markets and products and to ensure the avoidance of 
systemic risk.\12\ The Commission recognized that it is particularly 
important that staff be able to assess the reportable trader's overall 
position in the same commodity in light of the growing volume of 
trading on the non-reporting markets, the close relationship among the 
various products and markets, the increasing globalization of the 
futures markets, and the growth of trading on FBOTs.\13\
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    \12\ See sections 6(c), 6c, 6(d) and 9(a)(2) of the Act for the 
Commission's antimanipulation authority.
    \13\ For instance, since 1999, Commission staff, through foreign 
terminal no-action letters, has allowed 19 FBOTs to make their 
trading systems available by direct access to members and other 
participants in the U.S. without requiring the FBOTs to register as 
DCMs or DTEFs.
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    The proposal noted that while Regulation 18.05 explicitly requires 
that a trader holding reportable positions keep books and records and 
provide to the Commission, upon request, pertinent information with 
respect to positions and transactions in the underlying commodity on 
DCMs and DTEFs, it does not explicitly do so with respect to positions 
and transactions in virtually identical contracts executed on ECMs, 
EBOTs or FBOTs or in the same commodity executed OTC and/or pursuant to 
Sections 2(d), 2(g) or 2(h)(1)-(2) of the Act or Part 35 of the 
Commission's regulations. The Commission noted that information 
concerning non-reporting transactions is important to its ability to 
conduct effective market surveillance of the DCM and DTEF contracts. 
Thus, if a trader is reportable because of futures or option positions 
in a contract on a DCM or DTEF, the trader's books and records with 
respect to non-reporting positions and transactions in the same 
commodity are relevant to effective surveillance and supervision of the 
DCM or DTEF contract in which the trader is reportable.
    The proposal noted that the Act provides ample authority to require 
keeping books and records and providing pertinent information 
concerning non-reporting transactions. Section 4i explicitly 
encompasses non-reporting transactions on ``any other board of trade'' 
(such as FBOTs, ECMs operating pursuant to Sections 2(h)(3)-(5) of the 
Act, and EBOTs operating pursuant to Section 5d of the Act) and in the 
form of cash or spot transactions, inventories, and purchase and sale 
commitments. Further, Section 3(b) of the Act declares that the purpose 
of the Act is to, among other things, deter and prevent price 
manipulation or any other disruptions to market integrity and to ensure 
the avoidance of systemic risk. Section 8a(5) of the Act authorizes the 
Commission to promulgate such regulations as, in its judgment, are 
reasonably necessary to accomplish any of the purposes of the Act. As 
noted in the proposal, amending Regulation 18.05 to clearly require 
that reportable traders keep books and records showing all details 
concerning non-reporting transactions in the reportable commodity is a 
reasonably necessary means of accomplishing the purposes of Section 
3(b) of the Act.
    The proposal also noted that although non-reporting transactions 
themselves generally are not subject to most regulatory provisions of 
the Act, the futures or option transactions executed and maintained on 
a DCM or DTEF that result in a reportable position are subject to such 
provisions and, pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Act, are affected with 
a national public interest. It is the purpose of the Act pursuant to 
Section 3(b) that the Commission deter and prevent price manipulation 
of all commodities traded on these regulated markets. The proposal 
stated that to accomplish this purpose, it is necessary that the 
Commission have the ability to review all activities in commodities 
traded on these markets, regardless of where the transactions are 
executed. By taking a position on a regulated market, a trader agrees 
to abide by the rules of the market and the Commission, including 
prohibitions against manipulation. To enhance its ability to detect and 
deter manipulation and other threats to market integrity, the 
Commission requires persons holding reportable positions to maintain 
books and records of transactions that could impact the regulated 
market and related cash market, including non-reporting transactions.
    Finally, the proposal noted that staff has interpreted Regulation 
18.05 to include position and transaction data for non-reporting 
transactions and has received such information in response to requests 
made pursuant to the Regulation. Thus, consistent with the Act and 
Commission practice, the Commission proposed to amend Regulation 18.05 
to make explicit that a trader with a reportable position must keep 
books and records showing all details concerning all non-reporting 
transactions in the same commodity and provide pertinent information to 
the Commission upon request.

C. Amendments Related to Clarity and Completeness

    The proposal also noted that there are two issues that arise in 
connection with the Regulation 18.05 requirement that traders keep 
books and records showing all details concerning ``commercial 
activities that the trader hedges in the commodity underlying the 
futures contract in which the trader is reportable.'' First, the phrase 
has led to some confusion. Originally inserted into the paragraph as 
``commercial activities that the trader hedges in the futures commodity 
in which the trader is reportable,'' its purpose was to require that, 
``in addition to books and records of positions or transactions in a 
cash commodity, a reportable trader must also maintain records of 
commercial activities which the trader hedges.'' \14\ Second, the 
proposal stated that reportable positions can be option positions, as 
well as futures positions, but it is not clear that the current 
language also addresses commercial activities that the trader hedges in 
the commodity underlying any option contract in which the trader is 
reportable.
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    \14\ 46 FR 42463, 42466 (August 21, 1981).
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    The Commission therefore proposed to amend the regulation to revert 
to the original approach and include hedges in the option contract in 
which the trader is reportable. By modifying the phrase to read 
``commercial activities that the trader hedges in the futures or option 
contract in which the trader is reportable,'' Regulation 18.05 captures 
information with respect to hedges in other than the cash commodity, 
its products or byproducts (i.e., a trader with a reportable position 
in gold futures or options that is a hedge of a cash position in silver 
would be required to comply with the Regulation 18.05 requirements with 
respect to the silver position).

[[Page 60770]]

III. Comments Regarding the Proposal

    The Commission received six comment letters on its proposal. 
Commenters included the American Public Gas Association (APGA), the 
Industrial Energy Consumers of America (IECA), the International Swaps 
and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA), the Managed Funds Association 
(MFA), the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC), and the New York 
Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Most of the commenters generally endorsed 
the proposal and/or its underlying purpose, but felt that additional 
steps are necessary to resolve the underlying matters that the proposal 
is intended to address. Two commenters raised concerns regarding the 
recordkeeping and reporting aspects of the proposal.
    The APGA commented that it strongly supports the proposed amendment 
but is concerned about the economic links between NYMEX and OTC 
contracts and believes that further steps are necessary for the 
Commission to carry out surveillance of the natural gas markets. It 
expressed concern that the LTRS does not routinely reach traders' large 
OTC positions and noted that it has petitioned Congress to provide the 
Commission with authority for a LTRS with respect to trading in 
financial contracts in natural gas. Further, the APGA commented that 
reliance on special call authority leaves open the potential for 
manipulation or other disruptive behavior with little risk of detection 
until after damage to the market has been done.
    The IECA commented that it supports the proposal but noted that 
requiring companies to keep books and records does not prevent market 
manipulation and that preemptive monitoring of entities with large 
positions that cover both futures and OTC markets is necessary. 
Further, such entities should be required to report daily to the 
Commission. The IECA also recommended that the Commission support the 
establishment of an advisory panel on energy markets with consumer 
participation thereon.
    The NYPSC noted that it supports the proposed rule and its 
underlying purpose and that given the increases in natural gas prices 
over the past several years, the relevant government entities must take 
all available steps to prevent market manipulation and ensure the 
integrity of the natural gas markets. The NYPSC maintained that it is 
essential to evaluate exposure on both NYMEX and the InterContinental 
Exchange (ICE), an ECM, and stated that the Commission's inability to 
directly regulate traders that use ICE exclusively creates a serious 
loophole in effective regulatory oversight of the financial markets. 
Concerned that traders will avoid regulatory oversight by trading 
exclusively on ICE, the NYPSC recommended that the Commission should 
monitor the migration of traders that currently utilize NYMEX to ICE as 
the exclusive means of trading natural gas contracts.
    The ISDA and the MFA voiced support for the proposal but raised 
concerns about the proposal's recordkeeping and reporting obligations. 
The ISDA stated its view that the proposal does not create additional 
recordkeeping or reporting obligations and requested clarification with 
respect to the scope of Regulation 1.35(a), which contains 
recordkeeping and reporting language similar to that in proposed 
Regulation 18.05. Further, the ISDA requested clarification that the 
records required to be retained under proposed Regulation 18.05 are 
subject to Regulation 1.31 retention requirements and consist of 
accurate records of positions and actual transaction documentation 
created in the ordinary course of business. The MFA requested that the 
Commission confirm that the current system of books and records 
maintained by traders in the normal course of business and in the 
format created in the normal course of business would meet the 
proposal's recordkeeping and retention requirements.
    The NYMEX voiced support for the intention underlying the proposal 
but commented that the purpose of the proposal can be met only by 
imposing identical requirements on linked trading facilities meeting 
specified criteria. NYMEX posited that the proposal, if implemented, 
would create an incentive for market participants to do all their 
trading at unregulated or non-transparent venues or to trade at a level 
below the reportable level on the regulated exchange. Further, NYMEX 
commented that the proposal was limited in effectiveness because of the 
anticipated infrequent use of the special call procedure; would impose 
a cost on the regulated exchanges because of the shift in trading 
activity; and would have adverse public policy consequences. NYMEX 
recommended that the Commission defer the amendments to Regulation 
18.05 in favor of a more comprehensive legislative approach that would 
result in the implementation of reporting requirements on organized 
trading facilities that have triggered specified criteria.\15\
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    \15\ As noted above, other commenters also recommended 
legislation action, i.e., to provide the Commission with authority 
for a LTRS with respect to trading in financial contracts in natural 
gas on non-reporting markets and to require entities that control 
large positions in the OTC market to report daily to the Commission.
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    The Commission has carefully considered the comments submitted and 
has decided, for reasons cited herein and in the proposal, to amend the 
regulation as proposed. As previously stated, staff has interpreted 
Regulation 18.05 to include position and transaction data for non-
reporting transactions and has received such information in response to 
requests made pursuant to the Regulation. Thus, the proposal to amend 
Regulation 18.05 merely makes explicit what has been implicit.
    NYMEX's comment that the proposal would lead market participants to 
move their trading activity to unregulated or non-transparent venues, 
or trade at a level below the reportable level on the regulated 
exchange in order to avoid the consequences of holding reportable 
positions, is highly speculative and, in the Commission's estimation, 
unlikely. As previously discussed, the amendments to Regulation 18.05 
clarify existing authority and, accordingly, any ``disincentive'' for 
traders to trade on a regulated market already exists, with or without 
the amendments. In addition, the Commission sees little merit in 
following NYMEX's suggestion to defer in favor of a legislative 
approach. The Commission can control neither the timing nor the terms 
of legislation addressing reporting obligations on currently non-
reporting markets, or even whether such legislation is enacted in the 
first instance. Should legislation in this area be enacted which 
expands the Commission's jurisdiction with respect to transactions that 
are currently non-reportable, further amendments to the regulation 
could be considered.
    With respect to the comments regarding the proposal's recordkeeping 
and reporting obligations, the Commission confirms that the amendments 
should not change current recordkeeping or reporting obligations, 
assuming that traders are currently keeping complete transaction 
records. Records required to be retained under Regulation 18.05 consist 
of accurate records of positions and actual transaction documentation 
created in the ordinary course of business. Thus, books and records 
that currently should be maintained by traders in the normal course of 
business and in the format created in the normal course of business 
would meet the regulation's recordkeeping requirements. Such records 
are subject to the Regulation 1.31 retention requirements. Finally,

[[Page 60771]]

Regulation 18.05 does not alter or add to the Regulation 1.35(a) 
recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

IV. Related Matters

A. Cost Benefit Analysis

    Section 15(a) of the Act requires the Commission to consider the 
costs and benefits of its action before issuing a new regulation or 
order under the Act. By its terms, Section 15(a) does not require the 
Commission to quantify the costs and benefits of a new regulation or to 
determine whether the benefits of the regulation outweigh its costs. 
Rather, Section 15(a) simply requires the Commission to ``consider the 
costs and benefits'' of its action.
    Section 15(a) further specifies that the costs and benefits of the 
rule or order shall be evaluated in light of five broad areas of market 
and public concern: (1) Protection of market participants and the 
public; (2) efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of 
futures markets; (3) price discovery; (4) sound risk management 
practices; and (5) other public interest considerations. The Commission 
may, in its discretion, give greater weight to any one of the five 
enumerated areas of concern and may, in its discretion, determine that, 
notwithstanding its costs, a particular rule or order is necessary or 
appropriate to protect the public interest or to effectuate any of the 
provisions or to accomplish any of the purposes of the Act.
    The Commission's proposal contained an analysis of its 
consideration of these costs and benefits and solicited public comment 
thereon. As previously noted, NYMEX commented that the proposal, by 
adding another incentive for market participants to shift their trading 
activity from regulated and transparent venues to unregulated and non-
transparent venues, would impose a cost on the regulated exchanges and 
would have adverse public policy consequences. NYMEX also questioned 
the extent of the benefits to be obtained from the proposal in light of 
the acknowledgement that special calls for information would continue 
to be made on an infrequent basis.
    The Commission believes, as it stated in the discussion of NYMEX's 
comments above, that attempting to discern what impact amended 
Regulation 18.05 will have on potential large traders, or what costs to 
the regulated exchanges would be associated with any shift in trading 
activity, is highly speculative. Because the amendments clarify 
existing authority, any ``disincentive'' for traders to trade on a 
regulated market already exists, with or without the amendments. 
Additionally, the Commission finds no merit in the contention that the 
extent of the benefits to be obtained from the amendments are 
questionable in light of the acknowledgement that special calls for 
information would continue to be made on an infrequent basis. The 
Commission is confident that such special calls will be made when 
deemed necessary and that the information provided in response to such 
special calls will assist the Commission in meeting its regulatory 
responsibilities.
    After consideration of the costs and benefits and the public 
comments received thereon, the Commission has determined to adopt the 
amendments to Regulation 18.05 set forth below.

B. The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
requires that agencies consider the impact of their rules on small 
businesses. The Commission has previously determined that exchanges, 
futures commission merchants and large traders are not ``small 
entities'' for the purposes of the RFA.\16\ The requirements related to 
the amended recordkeeping and reporting rule fall on large traders. 
Accordingly, the Acting Chairman, on behalf of the Commission, hereby 
certifies, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that the actions adopted herein 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
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    \16\ 47 FR 18618, 18618-21 (April 30, 1982).
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C. The Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) \17\ imposes certain requirements 
on Federal agencies, including the Commission, in connection with 
conducting or sponsoring any collection of information as defined by 
the PRA. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid control number. In its proposal, the Commission noted 
that the proposed amendments would require traders with reportable 
positions to keep books and records showing all details concerning all 
positions and transactions in the commodity in which the trader is 
reportable and to furnish to the Commission, upon request, any 
pertinent information concerning such positions, transactions or 
activities in a form acceptable to the Commission and that this 
information is part of an approved collection of information. The 
Commission further noted that the proposed amendments would not result 
in any material modifications to this approved collection. Accordingly, 
for purposes of the PRA, the Commission certified that the proposed 
amendment did not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping 
requirements.
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    \17\ Public Law 104-13 (May 13, 1995).
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    The Commission submitted the proposed rule amendments and their 
associated information collection requirements to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for its review. No comments were received 
in response to the Commission's invitation in the notice of proposed 
rulemaking to comment on the information which would be required by the 
proposed rule amendments.

List of Subjects in 17 CFR Part 18

    Commodity futures, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

0
Accordingly, 17 CFR Chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 18--REPORTS BY TRADERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 18 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2, 4, 5, 6a, 6c, 6f, 6g, 6i, 6k, 6m, 6n, 12a 
and 19; 5 U.S.C. 552 and 552(b), unless otherwise noted.


0
2. Revise Sec.  18.05 to read as follows:


Sec.  18.05  Maintenance of books and records.

    (a) Every trader who holds or controls a reportable futures or 
option position shall keep books and records showing all details 
concerning all positions and transactions in the commodity:
    (1) On all reporting markets;
    (2) Over the counter and/or pursuant to Sections 2(d), 2(g) or 
2(h)(1)-(2) of the Act or Part 35 of this chapter;
    (3) On exempt commercial markets operating pursuant to Sections 
2(h)(3)-(5) of the Act;
    (4) On exempt boards of trade operating pursuant to Section 5d of 
the Act; and
    (5) On foreign boards of trade.
    (b) Every such trader shall also keep books and records showing all 
details concerning all positions and transactions in the cash 
commodity, its products and byproducts, and all commercial activities 
that the trader hedges in the futures or option contract in which the 
trader is reportable.
    (c) The trader shall upon request furnish to the Commission any 
pertinent information concerning such positions, transactions, or 
activities in a form acceptable to the Commission.

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 22nd day of October, 2007, by the 
Commission.
David A. Stawick,
Secretary of the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7-21077 Filed 10-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6351-01-P