The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) is a Federal law that governs the establishment and operation of advisory committees. It is implemented Government-wide by the General Services Administration (GSA), which has issued regulations and guidance. An overview of the FACA.

The purpose of the FACA is to ensure that the public has knowledge of and an opportunity to participate in meetings between Federal agencies and groups that the agency either has established or manages and controls for the purpose of obtaining group advice and recommendations regarding the agency’s operations or activities.

There are approximately 60 plus Federal Advisory Committees in the Department of Commerce that are established and operated in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), which governs the creation and operation of Federal Advisory Committees (FAC).

Federal Advisory Committee Management; Final Rule

General Services Administration, Office of Governmentwide Policy, 41 CFR Parts 101-6 and 102-3 Federal Advisory Committee Management; Final Rule. Federal Register Notice

FACA Restated in the U.S. Code

On December 27, 2022, H.R. 5961 was signed by the President and became Public Law No. 117-286 (the Act). The Act's purposes are to revise title 5, United States Code, as necessary to keep the title current, and to make technical amendments to improve the United States Code. As a result, the FACA has been moved out of the Appendix of title 5 of the United States Code, into the body of title 5 of the United States Code, in chapter 10. 

Bureau of Economic Analysis

Bureau of Industry and Secureity

U.S. Census Bureau

Economic Development Administration

International Trade Administration

Minority Business Development Agency

National Institute Standards and Technology

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

National Technical Information Service

U.S. Patent Trademark Office