Any records or other information furnished to or obtained by the Chief Inspector or his employees which are certified in writing by the person involved to be confidential because it relates to a bona fide trade secret unique to the person involved, shall be used only in the administration of this chapter and shall be considered as confidential. All such information shall not be made available to the general public, nor disclosed without the prior written consent of the person responsible; however, this shall not be construed to prevent the release of information to other governmental agencies, the use of such information in the compilation of studies relating to consumer protection or to the complete release of all matters determined to be public records of hearings and appeals.
(1952 Code § 26-7-81)