# 40 C.F.R. § 2.208 (2026): Substantive criteria for use in confidentiality determinations

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_208

## Section

- **Citation:** 40 C.F.R. § 2.208 (2026)
- **Heading:** Substantive criteria for use in confidentiality determinations
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 40 CFR: Protection of Environment / Chapter I / Part 2 / Subpart B / § 2.208: § 2.208   Substantive criteria for use in confidentiality determinations.

## Text

Determinations issued under §§ 2.204 through 2.207 shall hold that business information is entitled to confidential treatment for the benefit of a particular business if— (a) The business has asserted a business confidentiality claim which has not expired by its terms, nor been waived nor withdrawn; (b) The business has satisfactorily shown that it has taken reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of the information, and that it intends to continue to take such measures; (c) The information is not, and has not been, reasonably obtainable without the business's consent by other persons (other than governmental bodies) by use of legitimate means (other than discovery based on a showing of special need in a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding); (d) No statute specifically requires disclosure of the information; and (e) Either— (1) The business has satisfactorily shown that disclosure of the information is likely to cause substantial harm to the business's competitive position; or (2) The information is voluntarily submitted information (see § 2.201(i)), and its disclosure would be likely to impair the Government's ability to obtain necessary information in the future.

## Nearby sections

- [40 C.F.R. § 2.201 (2026) § 2.201   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_201.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.202 (2026) § 2.202   Applicability of subpart; priority where provisions conflict; records containing more than one kind of information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_202.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.203 (2026) § 2.203   Notice to be included in EPA requests, demands, and forms; method of asserting business confidentiality claim; effect of failure to assert claim at time of submission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_203.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.204 (2026) § 2.204   Initial action by EPA office.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_204.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.205 (2026) § 2.205   Final confidentiality determination by EPA legal office.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_205.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.206 (2026) § 2.206   Advance confidentiality determinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_206.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.207 (2026) § 2.207   Class determinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_207.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.208 (2026) § 2.208   Substantive criteria for use in confidentiality determinations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_208.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.209 (2026) § 2.209   Disclosure in special circumstances.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_209.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.210 (2026) § 2.210   Nondisclosure for reasons other than business confidentiality or where disclosure is prohibited by other statute.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_210.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.211 (2026) § 2.211   Safeguarding of business information; penalty for wrongful disclosure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_211.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.212 (2026) § 2.212   Establishment of control offices for categories of business information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_212.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.213 (2026) § 2.213   Designation by business of addressee for notices and inquiries.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_213.md)
- [40 C.F.R. § 2.214 (2026) § 2.214   Defense of Freedom of Information Act suits; participation by affected business.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_214.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T40_P2_S2_208. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.