---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 7005"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "7005"
heading: "Studies"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/7005"
units:
  - "Chapter 96 — Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce"
  - "Subchapter I — Electronic Records and Signatures in Commerce"
---

# §7005. Studies

- (a) **Delivery—** Within 12 months after June 30, 2000, the Secretary of Commerce shall conduct an inquiry regarding the effectiveness of the delivery of [electronic records](/usc/15/7006.md?p=4) to [consumers](/usc/15/7006.md?p=1) using [electronic](/usc/15/7006.md?p=2) mail as compared with delivery of written [records](/usc/15/7006.md?p=9) via the United States Postal Service and private express mail services. The Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress regarding the results of such inquiry by the conclusion of such 12-month period.
- (b) **Study of electronic consent—** Within 12 months after June 30, 2000, the Secretary of Commerce and the Federal Trade Commission shall submit a report to the Congress evaluating any benefits provided to [consumers](/usc/15/7006.md?p=1) by the procedure required by [section 7001(c)(1)(C)(ii) of this title](/usc/15/7001.md?p=c-1-C-ii); any burdens imposed on [electronic](/usc/15/7006.md?p=2) commerce by that provision; whether the benefits outweigh the burdens; whether the absence of the procedure required by [section 7001(c)(1)(C)(ii) of this title](/usc/15/7001.md?p=c-1-C-ii) would increase the incidence of fraud directed against [consumers](/usc/15/7006.md?p=1); and suggesting any revisions to the provision deemed appropriate by the Secretary and the Commission. In conducting this evaluation, the Secretary and the Commission shall solicit comment from the general public, [consumer](/usc/15/7006.md?p=1) representatives, and [electronic](/usc/15/7006.md?p=2) commerce businesses.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–229, title I, § 105, June 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 471.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2000, with exceptions relating to record retention and certain loans, see section 107 of Pub. L. 106–229, set out as a note under section 7001 of this title.