(

a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), an action specified in subdivision (

b) that is taken by a stewardship organization or a covered entity pursuant to this

chapter is not a violation of the Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 (commencing with

Section 16700) of Part of Division of the Business and Professions Code), the Unfair Practices Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with

Section 17000) of Part of Division of the Business and Professions Code), or the Unfair Competition Law (Chapter 5 (commencing with

Section 17200) of Part of Division of the Business and Professions Code). (

b) Subdivision (

a) shall apply to all of the following actions taken by a stewardship organization or covered entity:

(1) The creation, implementation, or management of a stewardship plan approved by the department pursuant to

Article 3 (commencing with

Section 42032) and the determination of the types or quantities of covered products collected or otherwise managed pursuant to a stewardship plan.

(2) The determination of the cost and structure of an approved stewardship plan.

(3) The establishment, administration, collection, or disbursement of the charge or administrative fee imposed pursuant to

Section or 42034.2, respectively. (

c) Subdivision (

a) shall not apply to an agreement that does any of the following:

(1) Fixes a price of or for covered products, except for an agreement related to costs, charges, or administrative fees associated with participation in a stewardship plan approved by the department and otherwise in accordance with this chapter.

(2) Fixes the output of production of covered products.

(3) Restricts the geographic area in which, or customers to whom, covered products are sold.