Introduction

• Pages: 1-3

An Antitrust Guide for Trade Associations

1

I. Introduction

Trade and professional associations play an

increasingly important role in promoting both

the interests of their members and the indus-

tries they serve, particularly as businesses be-

come more global and the economies of the world

become more closely integrated. The efforts of

these organizations can contribute to improv-

ing the quality, variety, and availability of prod-

ucts and services in the marketplace. However,

because the members of trade and professional

associations typically are competitors, the var-

ied activities that associations conduct are sub-

ject to close scrutiny under the laws regulating

competition, marketing practices, and advertis-

ing.

Anyone who participates in association ac-

tivities or attends association meetings, whether

an association member, an association execu-

tive, a manager, or a staff employee, must be

highly sensitive to the antitrust risks involved

in such participation, and must adhere to safe-

guards designed to meet those risks. The pri-

mary object of this Antitrust Guide for Trade

Association Professionals and Members (Guide)

is to promote an appreciation of the potential

antitrust problems that associations and their

members may confront, and thus better equip

them to conduct their businesses without trans-

gressing the antitrust laws.