# 43 C.F.R. § 2.31 (2026): What must a submitter include in a detailed Exemption 4 objection statement?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_31

## Section

- **Citation:** 43 C.F.R. § 2.31 (2026)
- **Heading:** What must a submitter include in a detailed Exemption 4 objection statement?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 43 CFR: Public Lands: Interior / Part 2: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT › RECORDS AND TESTIMONY / Subpart F: Handling Confidential Information / § 2.31: § 2.31   What must a submitter include in a detailed Exemption 4 objection statement?

## Text

(a) To rely on Exemption 4 as a basis for nondisclosure, the submitter must explain why the information is confidential information. To do this, the submitter must provide a detailed written statement that explains why the information is a trade secret or, if the information is not a trade secret, certification that the information is both customarily and actually treated as private by the owner of the information. The statement must also include any available background on whether the information was provided to the government under an assurance that the government would keep it private.
(b) If not already provided, the submitter must include a daytime telephone number, an email and mailing address, and a fax number (if available).
[77 FR 76902, Dec. 31, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 11129, Mar. 3, 2016; 84 FR 61828, Nov. 14, 2019]

## Nearby sections

- [43 C.F.R. § 2.26 (2026) § 2.26   May submitters of possibly confidential information designate information as confidential when making Departmental submissions?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_26.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.27 (2026) § 2.27   When will the bureau notify a submitter of a request for their possibly confidential information?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_27.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.28 (2026) § 2.28   What information will the bureau include when it notifies a submitter of a request for their possibly confidential information?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_28.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.29 (2026) § 2.29   When will the bureau not notify a submitter of a request for their possibly confidential information?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_29.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.30 (2026) § 2.30   How and when may a submitter object to the disclosure of confidential information?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_30.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.31 (2026) § 2.31   What must a submitter include in a detailed Exemption 4 objection statement?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_31.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.32 (2026) § 2.32   How will the bureau consider the submitter's objections?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_32.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.33 (2026) § 2.33   What if the bureau determines it will disclose information over the submitter's objections?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_33.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.34 (2026) § 2.34   Will a submitter be notified of a FOIA lawsuit?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_34.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.35 (2026) § 2.35   Will you receive notification of activities involving the submitter?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_35.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 2.36 (2026) § 2.36   Can a bureau release information protected by Exemption 4?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_36.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P2_S2_31. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.