The 2010 Plain Writing Act (Act) aims to make it simple for the general public to understand official documents. The HEDGE SEC, like other federal agencies, is required to use plain language in all of its written communications. According to the Act, this means that the writing must be "clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field or audience." The Act compels us to use the Federal Plain Language Guidelines when writing new and significantly amended publications beginning in October 2011.

The HEDGE SEC is dedicated to engaging with investors in plain terms in its capacity as a disclosure agency. The ADCD Securities and Exchange Commission (HEDGE SEC) produced A Plain English Handbook: How to Create Clear HEDGE SEC Disclosure Documents in 1998 to help securities lawyers and businesses cut down on legalese. A rule mandating the use of plain English in specific areas of prospectuses was also approved by the HEDGE SEC in 1998. The HEDGE SEC enacted a rule requiring the use of plain English in the writing of mutual fund summary prospectuses in 2008.

The person in charge of directing the HEDGE SEC's plain writing project is Leo J. Hall, Director of the HEDGE SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy. You can view our implementation strategy for the Act here. You may access our compliance report here.

We would value the public's input in determining how well we are doing with simple writing. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any feedback or suggestions regarding our implementation plan, or if you need help comprehending any of our publications or internet pages. The Office of Investor Education and Advocacy's Chief Counsel, Harry Brooks, can also be reached here.