Code of Federal Regulations Title 45. Public Welfare § 45.1157.3 Requirements for clearance

(a) The guidance document complies with all relevant statutes and regulation (including any statutory deadlines for Agency action);

(b) The guidance document identifies or includes:

(c) The guidance document avoids using mandatory language, such as “shall,” “must,” “required,” or “requirement,” unless the language is describing an established statutory or regulatory requirement or is addressed to Arts Endowment employees and will not foreclose the Arts Endowment's consideration of positions advanced by affected private parties;

(d) The guidance document is written in plain and understandable English;  and

(e) All guidance documents should include the following disclaimer prominently in each guidance document:  “The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.” When an Arts Endowment guidance document is binding because binding guidance is authorized by law or because the guidance is incorporated into a contract, the Arts Endowment will modify the disclaimer in the preceding sentence to reflect either of those facts.