80 FR 35573 - Changes or Corrections to Mail Classification Schedule

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 119 (June 22, 2015)

The Commission is issuing a set of final rules addressing changes and corrections to the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS). The final rules establish procedures for material changes in services offered in connection with products and corrections to product descriptions. Relative to the proposed rules, all changes are minor and non-substantive.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 119 (Monday, June 22, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35573-35575]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15198]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3020

[Docket No. RM2015-6; Order No. 2543]


Changes or Corrections to Mail Classification Schedule

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is issuing a set of final rules addressing 
changes and corrections to the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS). The 
final rules establish procedures for material changes in services 
offered in connection with products and corrections to product 
descriptions. Relative to the proposed rules, all changes are minor and 
non-substantive.

DATES: Effective July 22, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulatory History

72 FR 63662, November 9, 2007
79 FR 69781, November 24, 2014

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Background
III. Summary of Comments Received and Explanation of Revisions
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    In this Order, the Commission adopts final rules regarding requests 
to change or correct the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS).

II. Background

    The Commission is charged with maintaining accurate product lists. 
See 39 U.S.C. 3642. In Docket No. RM2007-1, the Commission promulgated 
rules establishing the MCS as the vehicle for presenting the product 
lists with necessary descriptive content.\1\ Those rules are codified 
at 39 CFR part 3020, subparts A-F.
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    \1\ Docket No. RM2007-1, Order No. 26, Order Proposing 
Regulations to Establish a System of Ratemaking, August 15, 2007, at 
85.
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    On November 14, 2014, the Commission issued a notice of proposed 
rulemaking and requested comments on proposed rules regarding requests 
to change or correct the MCS (specifically, replacing 39 CFR part 3020, 
subpart E).\2\ Order No. 2250 described how the regulations did not 
satisfactorily address MCS changes that were more significant than 
minor corrections to the MCS but did not rise to the level of a product 
list modification. The proposed rules distinguished between material 
changes and minor corrections to the descriptive content in the MCS and 
proposed procedures for the initiation and review of each type of 
change. The notice of proposed rulemaking was also published in the 
Federal Register. 79 FR 69781 (November 24, 2014).
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    \2\ Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Changes and Corrections to 
the Mail Classification Schedule, November 14, 2014 (Order No. 
2250).
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    The Postal Service and the Public Representative submitted initial 
comments suggesting changes to the rules proposed in Order No. 2250.\3\ 
The Postal Service also submitted reply comments.\4\ After 
consideration of the comments submitted, the Commission adopts the 
proposed rules, modified as described below.
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    \3\ Initial Comments of the United States Postal Service, 
December 24, 2014 (Postal Service Comments); Public Representative 
Comments, December 24, 2014 (PR Comments).
    \4\ Reply Comments of the United State Postal Service, January 
8, 2015 (Postal Service Reply Comments).
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III. Section-by-Section Analysis

    In general, the Postal Service and Public Representative offered 
positive comments with respect to the Commission's proposed rules. See, 
e.g., Postal Service Comments at 1, PR Comments at 3. Both commenters 
also offered suggestions that they assert would improve or clarify the 
proposed rules. The comments primarily focused on two issues: The 
contents of the supporting justification for a material change to a MCS 
product description and the provisions concerning the Commission's 
review of requests to make either a material change or minor correction 
to the MCS. The Commission's analysis of the comments received is 
discussed below.

A. Section 3020.81 (Supporting Justification for Changes to Product 
Descriptions)

    Section 3020.81 of the proposed rules lists the supporting 
justification that must be filed by the Postal Service when it proposes 
a material change to a product description in the MCS. As proposed, 
paragraph (c) required the Postal Service to describe the impact that 
the proposed material changes will have on users of the product and on 
competitors as part of its supporting justification for its request to 
make a material change to a product description.
    The Postal Service comments that the requirement in proposed 
section 3020.81(c) is more strenuous than the requirement that 
currently applies to

[[Page 35574]]

modifications of the product lists. Postal Service Comments at 2. The 
Postal Service suggests that section 3020.81(c) requires only that it 
``[p]rovide any available information that describes the likely impact 
of the changes on users of the product and on competitors.'' Id. at 3. 
The Postal Service states its alternative wording would establish the 
same standard that currently applies to modifications of the product 
lists. Id.
    In contrast, the Public Representative suggests that paragraph (c) 
be broadened to require the Postal Service to ``[d]escribe the views of 
those who use the product on the appropriateness of the proposed action 
and the impact that the changes will have on users of the product and 
on competitors and on small business concerns.'' PR Comments at 12. He 
asserts that the Commission's proposed rules eliminate two 
considerations required by 39 U.S.C. 3642(b)(3) and the reintroduction 
of those considerations would protect the product lists from erosion 
through incremental changes to a product description, which could 
eventually modify the product itself, to the detriment of users. Id. at 
11-12.
    The Postal Service responds that the Public Representative's 
suggestion appears to impose an obligation on it ``to obtain 
certainty'' regarding the impact that a material MCS product 
description change will have before it requests Commission review of 
the change. Postal Service Reply Comments at 2-3. The Postal Service 
hypothesizes that such a requirement would require it to ``conduct 
market research or otherwise compile data that reflect some unspecified 
level of scientific or empirical analysis of the impact of an MCS 
product description change on customers, competitors and small 
businesses.'' Id. at 3. The Postal Service suggests the following 
revision to the Public Representative's proposal for paragraph (c): 
Provide available information describing the views of those who use the 
product on the appropriateness of the proposed action and the likely 
impact of the changes on users of the product and on competitors and on 
small business concerns. Id.
    The Commission declines to adopt the particular revisions proposed 
by either commenter. Although the Public Representative and Postal 
Service offer different suggested language, both commenters attempt to 
establish a standard for material changes to product descriptions that 
is similar to the standard that applies to modifications of the product 
lists. See Postal Service Comments at 3; PR Comments at 11. However, 
the Commission's intent in establishing the standard for material 
changes was to strike a middle ground between the showing that is 
required for modifications to the product lists and the showing for 
corrections to MCS product descriptions.
    Nevertheless, the Commission recognizes that the paragraph, as 
originally proposed, could be interpreted to require a more burdensome 
showing by the Postal Service than that required for modifications of 
the product lists. Therefore, the Commission adopts the following minor 
revision to proposed section 3020.81(c)--the addition of the word 
likely--so that section 3020.81(c) will read as follows: Describe the 
likely impact that the changes will have on users of the product and on 
competitors. This change tracks the Commission's original intent to 
allow the Postal Service to make a showing that is less onerous than 
the showing that is required for modifications to the product lists but 
more robust than the showing for corrections to MCS product 
descriptions.

B. Provisions Concerning Commission Review (3020.83 and 3020.92)

    Sections 3020.83 and 3020.92 of the proposed rules describe the 
actions the Commission may take in response to a Postal Service request 
to either materially change or correct a product description, 
respectively. These provisions are nearly identical in the proposed 
rules.
    The Public Representative suggests three revisions to proposed 
section 3020.92. First, he suggests revising section 3020.92(b) to 
explicitly state that a minor correction would be made if ``not a 
material change to the product descriptions'' and ``consistent with the 
provisions of title 39, subject to editorial corrections.'' PR Comments 
at 8. The Postal Service does not object to the Public Representative's 
suggestion but comments that the second change may be ``superfluous.'' 
Postal Service Reply Comments at 2. The Public Representative's 
suggested additions are already implied by the proposed language. 
Accordingly, the Commission declines to adopt the Public 
Representative's suggestions as unnecessary.
    Second, the Public Representative comments that the elimination of 
the statement in the current rule that the Commission will make the 
change ``to coincide with the effective date of the proposed change'' 
introduces ``ambiguity about the Commission's intended action time.'' 
PR Comments at 8. The Postal Service does not comment on the Public 
Representative's suggestion. The Commission agrees with the Public 
Representative that the proposed rule is unclear concerning when the 
Commission will make the change to the MCS. Therefore, the Commission 
adopts the Public Representative's suggestion and adds language to 
state that the change to the MCS will coincide with the effective date 
of the proposed change to both sections 3020.83 and 3020.92.
    Third and finally, the Public Representative suggests ``in the 
interests of clarity and economy'' combining sections 3020.83 and 
3020.92 into a section numbered 3020.100 and named ``Commission Review 
and Action.'' Id. at 12. The Postal Service does not comment on the 
Public Representative's suggestion. The format of the proposed rules 
was designed to have separate sections for material changes (39 CFR 
3020.80 et seq.) and minor corrections (39 CFR 3020.90 et seq.). 
Accordingly, the Commission declines to adopt the Public 
Representative's suggestion.

C. Additional Minor Corrections

    In order to improve upon the clarity of the rules proposed in Order 
No. 2250, the Commission makes the following editorial changes and 
minor corrections:
     Rule 3020.81 contains an editorial change to the title of 
the rule.
     Rule 3020.82 contains an editorial change to the title of 
the rule.
     Rule 3020.83 contains an editorial change to the title of 
the rule.
     Rule 3020.83(e) contains a minor correction.
     Rule 3020.91 contains an editorial change to the title of 
the rule.
     Rule 3020.92 contains an editorial change to the title of 
the rule.
     Rule 3020.92(e) contains a minor correction.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. Part 3020 of title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, is amended 
as set forth below the signature of this Order, effective 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register.
    2. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 3020

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Commission amends 
chapter III of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

Part 3020--PRODUCT LISTS

0
1. The authority citation of part 3020 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 35575]]


    Authority:  39 U.S.C. 503; 3622; 3631; 3642; 3682.


0
2. Revise subpart E to read as follows:
Subpart E--Requests Initiated by the Postal Service To Make Material 
Changes or Minor Corrections to the Mail Classification Schedule
Sec.
3020.80 Material changes to product descriptions.
3020.81 Supporting justification for material changes to product 
descriptions.
3020.82 Docket and notice of material changes to product 
descriptions.
3020.83 Commission review of material changes to product 
descriptions.
3020.84-3020.89 [Reserved]
3020.90 Minor corrections to product descriptions.
3020.91 Docket and notice of minor corrections to product 
descriptions.
3020.92 Commission review of minor corrections to product 
descriptions.

Subpart E--Requests Initiated by the Postal Service To Make 
Material Changes or Minor Corrections to the Mail Classification 
Schedule


Sec.  3020.80  Material changes to product descriptions.

    (a) Whenever the Postal Service proposes material changes to a 
product description in the Mail Classification Schedule, no later than 
30 days prior to implementing the proposed changes, it shall submit to 
the Commission a request to change the product description in the Mail 
Classification Schedule.
    (b) The request shall:
    (1) Include a copy of the applicable sections of the Mail 
Classification Schedule and the proposed changes therein in legislative 
format; and
    (2) Provide all supporting justification for the changes upon which 
the Postal Service proposes to rely.


Sec.  3020.81  Supporting justification for material changes to product 
descriptions.

    (a) Supporting justification for changes to a product description 
in the Mail Classification Schedule shall include a description of, and 
rationale for, the proposed changes to the product description; and the 
additional material in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
    (b)(1) As to market dominant products, explain why the changes are 
not inconsistent with each requirement of 39 U.S.C. 3622(d) and part 
3010 of this chapter; or
    (2) As to competitive products, explain why the changes will not 
result in the violation of any of the standards of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 
part 3015 of this chapter.
    (c) Describe the likely impact that the changes will have on users 
of the product and on competitors.


Sec.  3020.82  Docket and notice of material changes to product 
descriptions.

    (a) The Commission shall take the actions identified in paragraphs 
(b) through (e) of this section.
    (b) Establish a docket for each request to change a product 
description in the Mail Classification Schedule;
    (c) Publish notice of the request on its Web site;
    (d) Designate an officer of the Commission to represent the 
interests of the general public in the docket; and
    (e) Provide interested persons with an opportunity to comment on 
whether the proposed changes are consistent with title 39 and 
applicable Commission regulations.


Sec.  3020.83  Commission review of material changes to product 
descriptions.

    (a) The Commission shall review the request and any comments filed. 
The Commission shall take one of the actions identified in paragraphs 
(b) through (g) of this section.
    (b) Approve the proposed changes, subject to editorial corrections, 
and change the Mail Classification Schedule to coincide with the 
effective date of the proposed change;
    (c) Reject the proposed changes;
    (d) Provide the Postal Service with an opportunity to amend the 
proposed changes;
    (e) Direct the Postal Service to make an appropriate filing under a 
different section;
    (f) Institute further proceedings; or
    (g) Direct other action that the Commission considers appropriate.


Sec. Sec.  3020.84-3020.89   [Reserved]


Sec.  3020.90  Minor corrections to product descriptions.

    (a) The Postal Service shall ensure that product descriptions in 
the Mail Classification Schedule accurately represent the current 
offerings of the Postal Service.
    (b) The Postal Service shall submit minor corrections to product 
descriptions in the Mail Classification Schedule by filing notice with 
the Commission no later than 15 days prior to the effective date of the 
proposed corrections.
    (c) The notice shall:
    (1) Explain why the proposed corrections do not constitute material 
changes to the product description for purposes of Sec.  3020.80;
    (2) Explain why the proposed corrections are consistent with any 
applicable provisions of title 39; and
    (3) Include a copy of the applicable sections of the Mail 
Classification Schedule and the proposed corrections therein in 
legislative format.


Sec.  3020.91  Docket and notice of minor corrections to product 
descriptions.

    (a) The Commission shall take the actions identified in paragraphs 
(b) through (e) of this section.
    (b) Establish a docket for each proposal to correct a product 
description in the Mail Classification Schedule;
    (c) Publish notice of the proposal on its Web site;
    (d) Designate an officer of the Commission to represent the 
interests of the general public in the docket; and
    (e) Provide interested persons with an opportunity to comment on 
whether the proposed corrections are consistent with title 39 and 
applicable Commission regulations.


Sec.  3020.92  Commission review of minor corrections to product 
descriptions.

    (a) The Commission shall review the notice and any comments filed. 
The Commission shall take one of the actions identified in paragraphs 
(b) through (g) of this section.
    (b) Approve the proposed corrections, subject to editorial 
corrections, and change the Mail Classification Schedule to coincide 
with the effective date of the proposed change;
    (c) Reject the proposed corrections;
    (d) Provide the Postal Service with an opportunity to amend the 
proposed corrections;
    (e) Direct the Postal Service to make an appropriate filing under a 
different section;
    (f) Institute further proceedings; or
    (g) Direct other action that the Commission considers appropriate.

    By the Commission.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-15198 Filed 6-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P