Antitrust Compliance Policy

[Updated September 26, 2019]

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1.0       Antitrust Compliance Policy

The policy of the Airforwarders Association (“the Association”) is to comply with all federal, state and local laws, including the antitrust laws. It is expected that all member company representatives and staff involved in Association activities will be sensitive to the unique antitrust issues raised by trade associations and, accordingly, will take all steps necessary to comply with applicable antitrust laws.  While the Association brings significant pro-competitive benefits to industry participants, suppliers, and customers, it is committed to not becoming a vehicle for firms to reach unlawful agreements regarding prices or other aspects of competition or to boycott or exclude firms from the market.

2.0       Antitrust Violations Can Have Severe Consequences

Violations of the antitrust laws can have very serious consequences for the Association, its members and their employees.

2.1       Criminal Penalties

Antitrust violations may be prosecuted as felonies and are punishable by significant fines and imprisonment. Individual violators can be fined up to $1 million and sentenced to up to 10 years in federal prison for each offense, and corporations can be fined up to $100 million for each offense. Under some circumstances, the maximum fines can go even higher, to twice the gain or loss resulting from the violation. The events that give rise to an antitrust violation often provide the basis for other charges, such as wire fraud, mail fraud, and making false statements to the government. Those charges, if proven, carry additional penalties.
 

The consequences of a criminal antitrust violation for an association or corporation include exposure to follow-on treble damages suits, exposure to enforcement actions in other jurisdictions or countries, disruption of normal business activities and the expense of defending investigations and lawsuits. The consequences for an individual who commits an antitrust violation include loss of freedom (jail), loss of job and benefits, loss of community status and reputation, loss of future employment opportunities and exposure to litigation.

2.2       Civil Penalties

In contrast to criminal actions, civil cases can be initiated by individuals, companies and government officials. They can seek to recover three times the amount of the damages, plus attorney's fees. Even unfounded allegations can be a significant drain on an association’s and its members’ financial and human resources, as well as an unproductive distraction from the Association's mission. For these reasons, the Association strives to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in all its dealings and activities.

3.0       Basic Antitrust Principles and Prohibited Practices
 

3.1       Antitrust Statutes

The principal federal antitrust and competition laws are the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, the Robinson-Patman Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act.
 

• The Sherman Act prohibits “every contract, combination . . . or conspiracy” which unreasonably restrains trade, as well as monopolizing, attempting to monopolize, or conspiring to monopolize any part of trade or commerce.
• The Clayton Act prohibits exclusive dealing and “tying” arrangements, as well as corporate mergers or acquisitions which may tend substantially to lessen competition.
• The Robinson-Patman Act prohibits a seller of goods from discriminating in price between different buyers when the discrimination adversely affects competition.  It also prohibits purchasers of goods from soliciting and receiving discriminatory prices from suppliers.  This statute applies only to sales of commodities; it does not cover sales of services or intangibles.
• The Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits “unfair methods of competition” and “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” in or affecting commerce.

3.2       “Per Se” Offenses

Certain antitrust violations are referred to as “per se” offenses. Conduct that falls in this category is automatically presumed to be illegal by the courts, and the absence of any actual harm to competition will not be a defense. Even an agreement that is obviously for the good of society may be a violation of the antitrust laws if it adversely affects competition.  Conspiracies falling in the “per se” category are likely to be prosecuted as criminal offenses, and include the following:

• Price-fixing agreements: Agreements or understandings among competitors (or potential competitors) directly or indirectly to fix, alter, peg, stabilize, standardize or otherwise regulate the prices paid by customers are automatically illegal under the Sherman Act. An agreement among buyers fixing the price they will pay for a product or service is likewise unlawful. “Price” is defined broadly to include all price-related terms, including discounts, rebates, commissions, credit terms and warranty terms. Agreements among competitors to fix, restrict, or limit the amount of product that is produced, sold or purchased, or the amount or type of services provided, may be treated the same as price-fixing agreements.
• Bid-rigging agreements: Agreements or understandings among competitors (or potential competitors) on any method by which prices or bids will be determined, submitted or awarded are per se illegal. This includes rotating bids, agreements regarding who will bid or not bid, agreements establishing who will bid to particular customers, agreements establishing who will bid on specific contracts, agreements regarding who will bid high and who will bid low, agreements that establish the prices firms will bid, and exchanging or advance signaling of the prices or other terms of bids.
• Market or customer allocation agreements: Agreements or understandings among competitors (or potential competitors) to allocate or divide markets, territories or customers are always illegal.

3.3       Activities Unlawful When Unreasonably Restraining Competition

There are other activities that, though typically not subject to criminal prosecution, are nevertheless sensitive, and may lead to investigations or litigation and liability when they constitute unreasonable restraints upon competition.

• Group boycotts: An agreement with competitors, suppliers or customers not to do business with another party may be found illegal as a boycott or “concerted refusal to deal.”
• Vertical price-fixing agreements: Agreements between suppliers and resellers that establish resale prices, particularly minimum resale prices, may be unlawful and are still considered per se offenses under many state antitrust statutes.
• Tie-in sales: A supplier conditioning the sale of one product on
  the customer purchasing a second product may be unlawful.
• Agreements not to solicit others’ employees: An agreement with competitors not to solicit each other’s employees, or to do so only on certain terms, may be found unlawful if it restricts competition. 
   

4.0       Guidelines for Meetings and Other Association Functions

Association meetings, conference calls and other activities by their very nature bring competitors together, and although they generally are lawful and procompetitive, they also might provide opportunities to reach unlawful agreements. It is important to remember that an antitrust violation does not require proof of a formal agreement. A discussion among competitors of a sensitive topic, such as the desirability of a price increase, followed by common action by those involved or present, could, depending on the circumstances, be enough to convince a judge or jury that there was an unlawful agreement.

Considering the costs involved in defending antitrust claims, even when they are without merit, it is necessary to conduct Association meetings in a manner that avoids even the appearance of improper conduct. Generally, the best way to accomplish this is by following regular procedures and avoiding competitively sensitive topics.

4.1       Meetings

Meetings of the Association will be conducted according to the following procedures:

• Whenever feasible, written agendas will be prepared in advance; agendas for all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, as well as other meetings of potential antitrust significance, will be reviewed in advance by the Association’s legal counsel. Agendas will not include any subjects that are inappropriate for consideration or discussion.
• Meeting handouts and presentations should, whenever feasible, be distributed in advance of meetings.
• Meetings will follow the written agenda and not depart from the agenda except for legitimate reason, which should be recorded in the minutes. Informal or “off the record” discussions of business topics are not permitted at meetings or other activities of the Association.
• The Association’s legal counsel, or an appropriate designee, will be present at all meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, as well as at other Association meetings at which antitrust sensitive issues will be discussed.
• Accurate and complete minutes will be prepared for each Association meeting. The minutes will include the time and place of the meeting, a list of all individuals present and their affiliations, a statement of all matters discussed, and actions taken, with an appropriate summary of the reasons therefor, and a record of any votes taken.

All Association meetings will be scheduled by the Association’s headquarters office, and no informal sessions or meetings will be held.

Because of their sensitive nature, certain topics will not be discussed at meetings of the Association unless otherwise advised by the Association’s legal counsel. These prohibitions apply equally to all Association-sponsored social functions or other informal Association gatherings. Off-limit topics include:

• current or future prices, surcharges, price levels, costs or profit margins;
• what is a fair or rational price, surcharge, or profit level;
• pricing or bidding methodologies or procedures;
• pricing practices or strategies, including methods, timing or implementation of price changes;
• cash or other discounts, rebates, service charges or other terms and conditions of sale;
• credit terms;
• whether or how prices, warranties or other terms of sale are advertised;
• actual, planned or projected service volumes or capacity, and/or capacity utilization;
• projected demand;
• dividing or allocating geographic or product markets or customers;
• company market share information;
• whether or on what terms to do business with a supplier, customer or competitor;
• whether or on what terms to solicit others’ employees for employment;
• complaints about the business practices of individual firms;
• the validity of any patent or the terms of a patent license;
• confidential company plans regarding future product or service offerings; and
• ongoing litigation, unless being reported upon by the Association’s legal counsel.

Sometimes an enthusiastic person may make statements at a meeting that sound as if they could be indicative of the existence of an express or implied agreement violating the antitrust laws.  Should such a statement be made at an Association meeting, the Association’s legal counsel or, in the absence of legal counsel, the meeting chair or senior staff person present will immediately clarify the situation by determining that no antitrust concern is raised or, if there is such a concern, by terminating discussion of the inappropriate topic.  If such a discussion nevertheless continues, the meeting will be terminated.

4.2       Programs

All new Association programs and program modifications which have potential antitrust significance will be reviewed and approved by the Association’s legal counsel. The Association’s legal counsel should be consulted regularly whenever any question of antitrust compliance arises in the context of the Association's activities.

4.3       Membership

The Association’s membership criteria must be carefully drafted and applied.  The Association will not deny membership to a qualified applicant if such denial unreasonably restrains trade, nor will a member be expelled for reasons that would be insufficient to deny membership.  Any rejection of a membership application or any proposed expulsion of a member will be subject to review by the Association’s legal counsel before taking effect.

5.0       Document and E-Mail Guidelines

Many antitrust investigations and lawsuits are fueled by poorly phrased or exaggerated statements in internal documents, with e-mails being a leading culprit. Common sense should be used when composing documents and e-mails. No matter how informal or private a communication is intended to be, it must be assumed that anything written in a document or e-mail is potentially discoverable in an investigation or lawsuit. As a general rule, nothing should be put in writing that you would not want to read aloud to a prosecutor, plaintiff's lawyer, or jury composed of people who know nothing about you or your business.

6.0       Standards, Certification and Codes of Ethics

Trade association standard-setting and certification programs and codes of ethics can be highly procompetitive and beneficial to suppliers and customers. Antitrust problems will arise, however, if a standard or certification program or a code of ethics is used as a device for fixing prices, restraining output, or chilling innovation, or if it has the effect of boycotting or unreasonably excluding competitors from the market.

Standards and certification programs and codes of ethics must serve identifiable public interests, such as preventing false or deceptive marketing practices, and they must do so in a manner that does not unreasonably restrict competition. Standards and certification programs and codes of ethics must not have the purpose or effect of unreasonably restraining price or quality competition, limiting output of products or services, or discouraging innovation. No company should be denied certification on grounds that it is a nonmember of any association or organization, that it is a “discounter,” or that it is a foreign corporation. No company should be boycotted on any grounds, including lack of certification or noncompliance with a code of ethics.

Standards and certification programs and codes of ethics should adhere to principles of voluntariness and due process. Due process means that all companies with a direct and material stake have a right to participate through the standards development organization in the formation of the standard, certification criteria, or code of ethics; the process is open and free from dominance by any particular industry segment or company; and there is a right to appeal from adverse actions.

More specifically, any standard, certification, or code of ethics activity of the Association will be conducted in accordance with the following basic rules:

• Participation in the creation of a standard, certification program, or code of ethics will be voluntary and will be open on reasonable terms to all persons who are directly and materially affected. Any fee or cost charged to participants will be reasonable, and membership in the Association will not be a requirement to participate.
• Timely notice of standards-setting, certification or code of ethics activities should be provided to all parties known to be directly and materially affected.
• No industry segment, interest group, or company should be allowed to dominate the process. All views and objections should receive fair and equitable consideration.
• Written procedures should govern the methods used to develop standards or certification criteria, and these procedures should be available for review by any interested person.
• The written procedures should specify realistic, readily available, and timely appeals procedures for the impartial handling of complaints concerning any action or inaction by the association regarding its standards, certification, or code of ethics activities.

7.0       Executive Responsibilities

The Board of Directors has the responsibility to oversee the implementation of the Association's Antitrust Compliance Policy. The chief staff executive is responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the Policy.  The Association’s legal counsel is responsible for advising and periodically updating the Association and its leadership on antitrust law developments and on any necessary revisions of this Policy.

8.0       Acknowledgement

All members of the Association will receive a copy of this Policy when they join the Association; all members of the Association’s Board of Directors will be required to sign an acknowledgment that they have received and read the Policy and agree to act in accordance with its terms.

9.0       Compliance

Reports of noncompliance with this Policy should be promptly communicated to the Association’s chief staff executive. If there is reason to believe that an antitrust violation may have been committed, an investigation will be undertaken promptly.  If an instance of questionable conduct is presented, the chief staff executive will consult with the Association’s legal counsel promptly to determine whether an internal investigation is appropriate.

Members that violate or fail to comply with this Policy will receive a letter from the Association’s legal counsel. Because compliance with Association policies is a membership requirement, membership can be terminated as a result of member company violations of the Association's Antitrust Compliance Policy.