(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (b), any action by a carpet stewardship organization or its members that relates to any of the following is not a violation of the Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 16700) of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code), the Unfair Practices Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17000) of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code), or the Unfair Competition Law (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17200) of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code):
(1)
The creation, implementation, or management of a carpet stewardship plan approved by the department pursuant to Section 42973 and the types or
quantities of carpet being recycled or otherwise managed as described in Section 42970.
(2)
The cost and structure of an approved carpet stewardship plan.
(3)
The establishment, administration, or disbursement of a carpet stewardship assessment as described in Section 42972 or 42972.5.
(b)
Subdivision (a) does not apply to an agreement that does any of the following:
(1)
Fixes a price of or for carpet, except for any agreement related to a carpet stewardship assessment pursuant to Section 42972.5 or to a carpet stewardship plan approved by the department and otherwise in accordance with this chapter.
(2)
Fixes the output of production of carpet.
(3)
Restricts the geographic area in which, or customers to whom, carpet will be sold.