Although the intended targets of sanctions were countries that over-exploited resources held in international waters, the amendment included a provision to the effect that whenever the secretary of commerce or secretary of the interior learns of trade or other forms of exchange, by foreign nationals, that directly or indirectly harms international conservation programs for endangered or threatened species, they should submit certification of this fact to the president.
雖然培利條款原本被提議用來保護國際海洋資源，但法令中卻進一步規定「美國商務部長或內政部長在獲悉外國國民的貿易、收授行為，直接或間接傷害瀕臨絕種或受威脅物種的國際保育計畫成果時，應向總統提出事實認定書。