---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 562"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "562"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/562"
units:
  - "Part I — The Agencies Generally"
  - "Chapter 5 — Administrative Procedure"
  - "Subchapter III — Negotiated Rulemaking Procedure"
---

# §562. Definitions


For the purposes of this subchapter, the term—

- (1) “[agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1)” has the same meaning as in [section 551(1) of this title](/usc/5/551.md?p=1);
- (2) “consensus” means unanimous concurrence among the [interests](#5) represented on a [negotiated rulemaking](#6) committee established under this subchapter, unless such committee—
  - (A) agrees to define such term to mean a general but not unanimous concurrence; or
  - (B) agrees upon another specified definition;
- (3) “convener” means a [person](/usc/5/551.md?p=2) who impartially assists an [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1) in determining whether [establishment](/usc/5/401.md?p=1) of a [negotiated rulemaking](#6) committee is feasible and appropriate in a particular [rulemaking](#11);
- (4) “facilitator” means a [person](/usc/5/551.md?p=2) who impartially aids in the discussions and negotiations among the [members](/usc/5/5531.md?p=1) of a [negotiated rulemaking](#6) committee to develop a proposed rule;
- (5) “interest” means, with respect to an issue or matter, multiple [parties](/usc/5/551.md?p=3) which have a similar point of view or which are likely to be affected in a similar manner;
- (6) “negotiated rulemaking” means [rulemaking](#11) through the use of a negotiated rulemaking committee;
- (7) “[negotiated rulemaking](#6) committee” or “committee” means an [advisory committee](/usc/5/1001.md?p=2-A) established by an [agency](/usc/5/551.md?p=1) in accordance with this subchapter and [chapter 10](/usc/5/chptI/ch10.md) of this title to consider and discuss issues for the purpose of reaching a [consensus](#2) in the development of a proposed rule;
- (8) “[party](/usc/5/551.md?p=3)” has the same meaning as in [section 551(3) of this title](/usc/5/551.md?p=3);
- (9) “[person](/usc/5/551.md?p=2)” has the same meaning as in [section 551(2) of this title](/usc/5/551.md?p=2);
- (10) “rule” has the same meaning as in [section 551(4) of this title](/usc/5/551.md?p=4); and
- (11) “rulemaking” means “[rule making](/usc/5/551.md?p=5)” as that term is defined in [section 551(5) of this title](/usc/5/551.md?p=5).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 101–648, § 3(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4970, § 582; renumbered § 562, Pub. L. 102–354, § 3(a)(2), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 944; amended Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(5), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4305.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Par. (7). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “chapter 10 of this title” for “the Federal Advisory Committee Act”.

1992—Pub. L. 102–354 renumbered section 582 of this title as this section.