Lesser penalty framework clarifies applicant eligibility, vital disclosure and priority for immunity in cartel investigations. The regulations define an applicant as an enterprise or individual linked to cartel participation eligible for lesser penalty applications; characterize admission as acknowledgement of a Section 3 contravention; define newly disclosed cartel by disclosures enabling the Commission to form a prima facie opinion under section 26; and treat vital disclosure as full and true information sufficient to establish the existence of a cartel or contravention. Designated authority and priority status are defined for administrative processing, and undefined terms adopt meanings from the Act and related rules.