---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 4607"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "4607"
heading: "Permissive terms and provisions"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/4607"
units:
  - "Chapter 77 — Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information"
---

# §4607. Permissive terms and provisions

- (a) **In general—** On the recommendation of the [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8), and with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), an [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) issued pursuant to this chapter may contain one or more of the following provisions:
  - (1) Providing [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to exempt from the provisions of the [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) used for exporting and providing [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) for the [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8) to require satisfactory safeguards against improper use of such exemption.
  - (2) Providing that in a [State](/usc/7/4602.md?p=23) with an existing [marketing](/usc/7/4602.md?p=13) [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10) with respect to [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7), the objectives of which the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) determines are comparable to the program established under this chapter, there shall be paid to the [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8) as provided in [section 4608 of this title](/usc/7/4608.md) that portion of the national assessment which is above the [State](/usc/7/4602.md?p=23) assessment, if any, actually paid on such [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7).
  - (3) Providing for [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to designate different [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6) payment and reporting schedules to recognize differences in [marketing](/usc/7/4602.md?p=13) practices and procedures.
  - (4) Providing that the [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8) may convene from time to time working groups drawn from [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11), [exporters](/usc/7/4602.md?p=4), members of the wholesale or retail outlets for [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7), or other members of the public to assist in the development of [research](/usc/7/4602.md?p=21) and [marketing](/usc/7/4602.md?p=13) programs for [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7).
  - (5) Providing for [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to accumulate reserve [funds](/usc/7/4531.md?p=5) from assessments collected pursuant to this chapter to permit an effective and continuous [coordinated program](/usc/7/5302.md?p=2) of [research](/usc/7/4602.md?p=21), [promotion](/usc/7/4602.md?p=18), and consumer information, in years when the production and assessment income may be reduced, but the total reserve [fund](/usc/7/4531.md?p=5) may not exceed the amount budgeted for one year’s operation.
  - (6) Providing for the [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to use [funds](/usc/7/4531.md?p=5) collected under this chapter with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) for the development and expansion of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) product sales in foreign markets.
  - (7) Providing for terms and conditions incidental to, and not inconsistent with, the terms and conditions specified in this chapter and necessary to effectuate the other provisions of such an [order](/usc/7/2902.md?p=10).
  - (8) If approved in a referendum conducted under this chapter, providing [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) for the development of programs and related rules and regulations that will, with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), establish minimum purity standards for [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) that are designed to maintain a positive and wholesome [marketing](/usc/7/4602.md?p=13) image for [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10).
- (b) **Inspection and monitoring system—**
  - (1) **Inspection—** Any program, rule, or regulation under [subsection (a)(8)](#a-8) may provide for the inspection, by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) being sold for domestic consumption in, or for export from, the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8).
  - (2) **Monitoring system—** The [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8) may develop and recommend to the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) a system for monitoring the purity of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) being sold for domestic consumption in, or for export from, the [United States](/usc/7/6402.md?p=8), including a system for identifying adulterated [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7).
  - (3) **Coordination with other Federal agencies—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) may coordinate, to the maximum extent practicable, with the head of any other Federal agency that has [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to ensure compliance with labeling or other requirements relating to the purity of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) concerning an enforcement action against any [person](/usc/7/4602.md?p=15) that does not comply with a rule or regulation issued by any other Federal agency concerning the labeling or purity requirements of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10).
  - (4) **Authority to issue regulations—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) may issue such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
- (c) **Voluntary quality assurance program—**
  - (1) **In general—** In addition to or independent of any program, rule, or regulation under [subsection (b)](#b), the [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8), with the approval of the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), may establish and carry out a voluntary quality assurance program concerning purity standards for [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10).
  - (2) **Components—** The program may include—
    - (A) the establishment of an official [Honey Board](/usc/7/4602.md?p=8) seal of approval to be displayed on [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) of [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), and [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) that participate in the voluntary program and are found to meet such standards of purity as are established under the program;
    - (B) actions to encourage [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), and [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) to participate in the program;
    - (C) actions to encourage consumers to purchase [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) bearing the official seal of approval; and
    - (D) periodic inspections by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), or other parties approved by the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22), of [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) and [honey products](/usc/7/4602.md?p=10) of [producers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [handlers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), and [importers](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) that participate in the voluntary program.
  - (3) **Display of seal of approval—** To be eligible to display the official seal of approval established under [paragraph (2)(A)](#c-2-A) on a [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) or [honey](/usc/7/4602.md?p=7) product, a [producer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=16), [handler](/usc/7/4602.md?p=6), or [importer](/usc/7/4602.md?p=11) shall participate in the voluntary program under this subsection.
- (d) **Authority of Secretary—** Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/7/4602.md?p=22) shall have the [authority](/usc/7/2009aa.md?p=1) to approve or disapprove the establishment of minimum purity standards, the inspection and monitoring system under [subsection (b)](#b), and the voluntary quality assurance program under [subsection (c)](#c).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–590, § 8, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3119; Pub. L. 105–185, title VI, § 605(g), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 596.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1998—Pub. L. 105–185 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added par. (8) and subsecs. (b) to (d).