(a) Notice to the extent practicable. Section 6(b)(1) requires that “to the extent practicable” the Commission must provide manufacturers and private labelers notice and opportunity to comment before disclosing information from which the public can ascertain readily their identity.

(b) Circumstances when notice and opportunity to comment is not practicable. The Commission has determined that there are various circumstances when notice and opportunity to comment is not practicable. Examples include the following:

(1) When the Commission has taken reasonable steps to assure that the company to which the information pertains is out of business and has no identifiable successor.

(2) When the information is disclosed in testimony in response to an order of the court during litigation to which the Commission is not a party.