---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 21"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "21"
heading: "Enforcement provisions"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/21"
units:
  - "Chapter 1 — Monopolies and Combinations in Restraint of Trade"
---

# §21. Enforcement provisions

- (a) **Commission, Board, or Secretary authorized to enforce compliance—** [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) to enforce compliance with sections [13](/usc/15/13.md), [14](/usc/15/14.md), [18](/usc/15/18.md), and [19](/usc/15/19.md) of this title by the [persons](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) respectively subject thereto is vested in the Surface Transportation [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1) where applicable to common carriers subject to jurisdiction under subtitle IV of [title 49](/usc/49.md); in the Federal Communications [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15) where applicable to common carriers engaged in wire or radio communication or radio transmission of energy; in the Secretary of Transportation where applicable to air carriers and foreign air carriers subject to part A of subtitle VII of [title 49](/usc/49.md); in the [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1) of Governors of the Federal Reserve System where applicable to banks, banking [associations](/usc/15/657h.md?p=a-2), and trust companies; and in the Federal Trade [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15) where applicable to all other character of commerce to be exercised as follows:
- (b) **Issuance of complaints for violations; hearing; intervention; filing of testimony; report; cease and desist orders; reopening and alteration of reports or orders—** Whenever the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary vested with jurisdiction thereof shall have reason to believe that any [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) is violating or has violated any of the provisions of sections [13](/usc/15/13.md), [14](/usc/15/14.md), [18](/usc/15/18.md), and [19](/usc/15/19.md) of this title, it shall issue and serve upon such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) and the Attorney General a complaint stating its charges in that respect, and containing a notice of a hearing upon a day and at a place therein fixed at least thirty days after the service of said complaint. The [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) so complained of shall have the right to appear at the place and time so fixed and show cause why an [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) should not be entered by the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary requiring such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) to cease and desist from the [violation](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7) of the law so charged in said complaint. The Attorney General shall have the right to intervene and appear in said proceeding and any [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) may make [application](/usc/15/77ccc.md?p=8), and upon good cause shown may be allowed by the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, to intervene and appear in said proceeding by counsel or in [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E). The testimony in any such proceeding shall be reduced to writing and filed in the office of the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary. If upon such hearing the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, as the case may be, shall be of the opinion that any of the provisions of said sections have been or are being violated, it shall make a report in writing, in which it shall [state](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) its findings as to the facts, and shall issue and cause to be served on such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) an [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) requiring such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) to cease and desist from such [violations](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7), and divest itself of the stock, or other share capital, or assets, held or rid itself of the directors chosen contrary to the provisions of sections [18](/usc/15/18.md) and [19](/usc/15/19.md) of this title, if any there be, in the manner and within the time fixed by said [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14). Until the expiration of the time allowed for filing a petition for review, if no such petition has been duly filed within such time, or, if a petition for review has been filed within such time then until the record in the proceeding has been filed in a court of appeals of the United States, as hereinafter provided, the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary may at any time, upon such notice and in such manner as it shall deem proper, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any report or any [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) made or issued by it under this section. After the expiration of the time allowed for filing a petition for review, if no such petition has been duly filed within such time, the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary may at any time, after notice and opportunity for hearing, reopen and alter, modify, or set aside, in whole or in part, any report or [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) made or issued by it under this section, whenever in the opinion of the [Commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [Board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary conditions of fact or of law have so changed as to require such action or if the public interest shall so require: Provided, however, That the said [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) may, within sixty days after service upon him or it of said report or [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) entered after such a reopening, obtain a review thereof in the appropriate court of appeals of the United States, in the manner provided in [subsection (c)](#c) of this section.
- (c) **Review of orders; jurisdiction; filing of petition and record of proceeding; conclusiveness of findings; additional evidence; modification of findings; finality of judgment and decree—** Any [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) required by such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary to cease and desist from any such [violation](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7) may obtain a review of such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) in the court of appeals of the United States for any circuit within which such [violation](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7) occurred or within which such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) resides or carries on business, by filing in the court, within sixty days after the date of the service of such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14), a written petition praying that the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary be set aside. A copy of such petition shall be forthwith transmitted by the clerk of the court to the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, and thereupon the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary shall file in the court the record in the proceeding, as provided in [section 2112 of title 28](/usc/28/2112.md). Upon such filing of the petition the court shall have jurisdiction of the proceeding and of the question determined therein concurrently with the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary until the filing of the record, and shall have power to make and enter a decree affirming, modifying, or setting aside the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, and enforcing the same to the extent that such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) is affirmed, and to issue such writs as are ancillary to its jurisdiction or are necessary in its judgment to prevent injury to the public or to competitors pendente lite. The findings of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary as to the facts, if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive. To the extent that the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary is affirmed, the court shall issue its own [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) commanding obedience to the terms of such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary. If either party shall apply to the court for leave to adduce additional evidence, and shall show to the satisfaction of the court that such additional evidence is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to adduce such evidence in the proceeding before the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, the court may [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) such additional evidence to be taken before the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, and to be adduced upon the hearing in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as to the court may seem proper. The [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary may modify its findings as to the facts, or make new findings, by reason of the additional evidence so taken, and shall file such modified or new findings, which if supported by substantial evidence, shall be conclusive, and its recommendation, if any, for the modification or setting aside of its original [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14), with the return of such additional evidence. The judgment and decree of the court shall be final, except that the same shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court upon certiorari, as provided in [section 1254 of title 28](/usc/28/1254.md).
- (d) **Exclusive jurisdiction of Court of Appeals—** Upon the filing of the record with its jurisdiction of the court of appeals to affirm, enforce, modify, or set aside [orders](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary shall be exclusive.
- (e) **Liability under antitrust laws—** No [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary or judgment of the court to enforce the same shall in anywise relieve or absolve any [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) from any liability under the [antitrust laws](/usc/15/7a–3.md?p=a-3-A).
- (f) **Service of complaints, orders and other processes—** Complaints, [orders](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14), and other processes of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary under this section may be served by anyone duly authorized by the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary, either (1) by delivering a copy thereof to the [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) to be served, or to a member of the partnership to be served, or to the president, secretary, or other executive officer or a director of the corporation to be served; or (2) by leaving a copy thereof at the residence or the principal office or place of business of such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E); or (3) by mailing by registered or certified mail a copy thereof addressed to such [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) at his or its residence or principal office or place of business. The verified return by the [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) so serving said complaint, [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14), or other process setting forth the manner of said service shall be proof of the same, and the return post office receipt for said complaint, [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14), or other process mailed by registered or certified mail as aforesaid shall be proof of the service of the same.
- (g) **Finality of orders generally—** Any [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) issued under [subsection (b)](#b) shall become final—
  - (1) upon the expiration of the time allowed for filing a petition for review, if no such petition has been duly filed within such time; but the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary may thereafter modify or set aside its [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) to the extent provided in the last sentence of [subsection (b)](#b); or
  - (2) upon the expiration of the time allowed for filing a petition for certiorari, if the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary has been affirmed, or the petition for review has been dismissed by the court of appeals, and no petition for certiorari has been duly filed; or
  - (3) upon the denial of a petition for certiorari, if the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary has been affirmed or the petition for review has been dismissed by the court of appeals; or
  - (4) upon the expiration of thirty days from the date of issuance of the [mandate](#k) of the Supreme Court, if such Court directs that the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary be affirmed or the petition for review be dismissed.
- (h) **Finality of orders modified by Supreme Court—** If the Supreme Court directs that the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary be modified or set aside, the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary rendered in accordance with the [mandate](#k) of the Supreme Court shall become final upon the expiration of thirty days from the time it was rendered, unless within such thirty days either party has instituted proceedings to have such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) corrected to accord with the [mandate](#k), in which event the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary shall become final when so corrected.
- (i) **Finality of orders modified by Court of Appeals—** If the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary is modified or set aside by the court of appeals, and if (1) the time allowed for filing a petition for certiorari has expired and no such petition has been duly filed, or (2) the petition for certiorari has been denied, or (3) the decision of the court has been affirmed by the Supreme Court then the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary rendered in accordance with the [mandate](#k) of the court of appeals shall become final on the expiration of thirty days from the time such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary was rendered, unless within such thirty days either party has instituted proceedings to have such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) corrected so that it will accord with the [mandate](#k), in which event the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary shall become final when so corrected.
- (j) **Finality of orders issued on rehearing ordered by Court of Appeals or Supreme Court—** If the Supreme Court [orders](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) a rehearing; or if the case is remanded by the court of appeals to the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary for a rehearing, and if (1) the time allowed for filing a petition for certiorari has expired, and no such petition has been duly filed, or (2) the petition for certiorari has been denied, or (3) the decision of the court has been affirmed by the Supreme Court, then the [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary rendered upon such rehearing shall become final in the same manner as though no prior [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary had been rendered.
- (k) **“Mandate” defined—** As used in this section the term “mandate”, in case a mandate has been recalled prior to the expiration of thirty days from the date of issuance thereof, means the final mandate.
- (l) **Penalties—** Any [person](/usc/15/78m.md?p=h-8-E) who violates any [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) issued by the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary under [subsection (b)](#b) after such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) has become final, and while such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) is in effect, shall forfeit and pay to the United States a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each [violation](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7), which shall accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the United States. Each separate [violation](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7) of any such [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) shall be a separate offense, except that in the case of a [violation](/usc/15/57b–1.md?p=a-7) through continuing failure or neglect to obey a final [order](/usc/15/8702.md?p=14) of the [commission](/usc/15/78c.md?p=a-15), [board](/usc/15/205c.md?p=1), or Secretary each day of continuance of such failure or neglect shall be deemed a separate offense.

## Source credit

(Oct. 15, 1914, ch. 323, § 11, 38 Stat. 734; June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title VII, § 702(d), formerly title VI, § 602(d), 48 Stat. 1102; renumbered Pub. L. 98–549, § 6(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2804; Aug. 23, 1935, ch. 614, § 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; June 23, 1938, ch. 601, § 1107(g), 52 Stat. 1028; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 32(a), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 127, 63 Stat. 107; Dec. 29, 1950, ch. 1184, 64 Stat. 1125; Pub. L. 85–726, title XIV, § 1401(b), Aug. 23, 1958, 72 Stat. 806; Pub. L. 85–791, § 4, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 943; Pub. L. 86–107, § 1, July 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 243; Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(m), Oct. 4, 1984, 98 Stat. 1708; Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(10)(B), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3358; Pub. L. 104–88, title III, § 318(2), Dec. 29, 1995, 109 Stat. 949.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The antitrust laws, referred to in subsec. (e), are defined in section 12 of this title.

### Codification

In subsec. (a), “part A of subtitle VII of title 49” substituted for “the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 [49 App. U.S.C. 1301 et seq.]” on authority of Pub. L. 103–272, § 6(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V to X of Title 49.

### Amendments

1995—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–88 substituted “Surface Transportation Board where applicable to common carriers subject to jurisdiction under subtitle IV of title 49” for “Interstate Commerce Commission where applicable to common carriers subject to the Interstate Commerce Act, as amended”.

1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(m)(1), substituted “Secretary of Transportation where applicable to air carriers and foreign air carriers subject to the Federal Aviation Act of 1958” for “Civil Aeronautics Board where applicable to air carriers and foreign air carriers subject to the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(m)(2), substituted “Commission, Board, or Secretary” for “Commission or Board” wherever appearing.

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(m)(3), substituted “commission, board, or Secretary” for “commission or board” wherever appearing.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–620 struck out provision that such proceedings in the court of appeals had to be given precedence over other cases pending therein, and had to be in every way expedited.

Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(m)(3), substituted “commission, board, or Secretary” for “commission or board”.

Subsecs. (f) to (j), (l). Pub. L. 98–443, § 9(m)(3), substituted “commission, board, or Secretary” for “commission or board” wherever appearing.

1959—Pub. L. 86–107 amended section generally, and among other changes, authorized the Commission or Board, upon notice and opportunity for hearing, in cases where a petition for review has not been filed within the time allowed, to reopen and alter, modify, or set aside, in whole or in part, any report or order, whenever conditions of fact or law have so changed as to require such action or if the public interest so requires, and added subsecs. (g) to (k), providing for finality of orders, and subsec. (l), prescribing the civil penalty for violation of orders.

1958—Pub. L. 85–791, § 4(a), struck out “a transcript of” after “Until” in last sentence of second par.

Pub. L. 85–791, § 4(b), substituted in first sentence of third par., “file the record in the proceeding, as provided in section 2112 of title 28” for “certify and file with its application a transcript of the entire record in the proceeding, including all the testimony taken and the report and order of the Commission or Board”, and in second sentence of third par., struck out “and transcript” after “application”, inserted “concurrently with the Commission or Board until the filing of the record”, and struck out “upon the pleadings, testimony, and proceedings set forth in such transcript” after “make and enter”.

Pub. L. 85–791, § 4(c), substituted in second sentence of fourth par., “transmitted by the clerk of the court to” for “served upon” and “shall file in the court the record in the proceeding, as provided in section 2112 of title 28” for “forthwith shall certify and file in the court a transcript of the record in the proceeding, as hereinbefore provided”, and in third sentence of fourth paragraph substituted “such petition” for “the transcript” and inserted “determined as provided in section 1009(e) of title 5,”.

Pub. L. 85–791, § 4(d), substituted in fifth par., “Upon the filing of the record with it the” for “The”.

1950—Act Dec. 29, 1950, amended section generally to allow the Attorney General to intervene and appear in any proceeding brought by any Commission or Board to enforce sections 13, 14, 18, and 19 of this title, but the amendment in nowise affects the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice to enforce these sections in the courts.

1938—Act June 23, 1938, inserted “in the Civil Aeronautics Authority where applicable to air carriers and foreign air carriers subject to the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938”, and “authority” after “commission” wherever appearing.

1935—Act Aug. 23, 1935, changed the name of Federal Reserve Board to Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

1934—Act June 19, 1934, amended first par.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Act June 25, 1948, eff. Sept. 1, 1948, as amended by act May 24, 1949, substituted “court of appeals” for “circuit court of appeals”.

### Effective Date of 1995 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1301 of Title 49, Transportation.

### Effective Date of 1984 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–620 not applicable to cases pending on Nov. 8, 1984, see section 403 of Pub. L. 98–620, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1657 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–443 effective Jan. 1, 1985, see section 9(v) of Pub. L. 98–443, set out as a note under section 5314 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

### Effective Date of 1959 Amendment

Section 2 of Pub. L. 86–107 provided that: “The amendments made by section 1 [amending this section] shall have no application to any proceeding initiated before the date of enactment of this Act [July 23, 1959] under the third or fourth paragraph of section 11 of the Act entitled ‘An Act to supplement existing laws against unlawful restraints and monopolies, and for other purposes’, approved October 15, 1914 (38 Stat. 734, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 21) [this section]. Each such proceeding shall be governed by the provisions of such section as they existed on the day preceding the date of enactment of this Act.”

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of Federal Trade Commission, with certain exceptions, to Chairman of such Commission, see Reorg. Plan No. 8 of 1950, § 1, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3175, 64 Stat. 1264, set out under section 41 of this title.