(a) An association of avocado importers is eligible to receive assessment funds and any proceeds from the investment of such funds only if such importer association is:

(1) Established pursuant to State law that requires detailed State regulation comparable to that applicable to the State organization of domestic avocado producers, as determined by the Secretary; or

(2) Certified by the Secretary as meeting the requirements applicable to the Board as to its operations and obligations, including budgets, programs, plans, projects, audits, conflicts of interest, and reimbursements for administrative costs incurred by the Secretary.

(b) An importer association may represent any importers of Hass avocados including importers of Hass avocados from a particular foreign country. An importer association may be composed of importers as well as representatives of foreign avocado exporting industries. An importer association should establish it own bylaws and may use existing organizations for the establishment of the association and coordination of the association's promotion and research efforts.

(c) For the purposes of the Order, the information required for certification of the importer associations by the Secretary may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Evidence of incorporation under any state law with all appropriate legal requirements;

(2) Evidence that the association is composed of importers that are located in any state and subject to assessments under the Order, no matter where the association has been incorporated or in which state the importers reside;

(3) Certification of the association's ability and willingness to further the aims and objectives of the Order;

(4) Evidence of stability and permanency; and

(5) A description of the functions of the association.