7 U.S.C. § 19 — Consideration of costs and benefits and antitrust laws

(a)(1) Before the Commission issues a regulation under this chapter, or issues most orders, it must consider the costs and benefits of that action. (2) The Commission must evaluate those costs and benefits in light of: (A) protecting market participants and the public; (B) the efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures markets; (C) price discovery; (D) sound risk management practices; and (E) other public interest considerations. (3) This cost-benefit requirement does not apply to: (A) an order that initiates, is part of, or results from the Commission's adjudicatory or investigative process; (B) an emergency action; or (C) a finding of fact about compliance with a Commission requirement. (b) The Commission must also take into account the public interest that the antitrust laws protect, and must try to use the least anticompetitive means of achieving this chapter's objectives, as well as its policies and purposes. This applies when the Commission issues any order, adopts any rule or regulation — including any exemption under section 6(c) or 6c(b) of this title — or requires or approves any bylaw, rule, or regulation of a contract market or registered futures association established under section 21 of this title.