---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 1638c"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "1638c"
heading: "Regulations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/1638c"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Distribution and Marketing of Agricultural Products"
  - "Subchapter IV — Country of Origin Labeling"
---

# §1638c. Regulations

- (a) **Guidelines—** Not later than September 30, 2002, the [Secretary](/usc/7/1638.md?p=6) shall issue guidelines for the voluntary country of origin labeling of [covered commodities](/usc/7/1638.md?p=1-A) based on the requirements of [section 1638a of this title](/usc/7/1638a.md).
- (b) **Regulations—** Not later than September 30, 2004, the [Secretary](/usc/7/1638.md?p=6) shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this subchapter.
- (c) **Partnerships with States—** In promulgating the regulations, the [Secretary](/usc/7/1638.md?p=6) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into partnerships with [States](/usc/7/198.md?p=5) with enforcement infrastructure to assist in the administration of this subchapter.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, § 284, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title X, § 10816, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 535.)