[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13252-13253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05536]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

45 CFR Part 18


Official Symbol, Logo and Seal

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is 
adopting final regulations containing a description of its official 
symbol, logo, and seal.

DATES: This rule is effective April 13, 2015 without further action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria Barnes, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Public Affairs ([email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: HHS is adopting regulations (45 CFR part 18) 
describing its official logo and seal. HHS has developed a symbol, 
logo, and seal that signifies the authoritativeness of the item or 
document to which it is affixed as an official endorsement of HHS. 
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), notice and comment are not required 
because this rule only impacts HHS' procedure and practice. In 
addition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive 
notice and comment as unnecessary, because this rule is non-
controversial and merely describes HHS' official symbol, logo, and 
seal.
    HHS previously published a Direct Final Rule on April 14, 2014 (79 
FR 20801). In response, HHS received two public comments. Among other 
things, both comments argued that the rule violated the First 
Amendment. The commenters argued that restrictions in the Direct Final 
Rule violated the First Amendment by not including exceptions for 
certain uses of the seal (e.g., for illustrative purposes by the 
media). HHS withdrew this rule on June 4, 2014 (79 FR 32170). HHS is 
now publishing a Final Rule that merely describes the Department's 
symbol, seal, and logo.

Executive Order No. 12866

    This rule does not meet the criteria for a significant regulatory 
action under Executive Order 12866. Thus, review by the Office of 
Management and Budget is not required.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Therefore, a regulatory 
flexibility analysis as provided by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as 
amended, is not required.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain any collections of information subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act.

List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 18

    Seals and insignia.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, HHS adds Part 18 to Title 
45, Subtitle A, subchapter A of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

Subtitle A--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Subchapter A--GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

PART 18--OFFICIAL SYMBOL, LOGO, AND SEAL

Sec.
18.1 Description of the Symbol, Logo, and Seal.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 3505 and 5 U.S.C. 301.


Sec.  18.1  Description of the Symbol, Logo, and Seal.

    (a) The Departmental Symbol (Symbol) of the Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) is the key element in Department 
identification. It represents the American People sheltered in the wing 
of the American Eagle, suggesting the Department's concern and 
responsibility for the welfare of the people. This Symbol is the visual 
link which connects the graphic communications of all components and 
programs of the Department. It is the major design component for the 
Department Identifiers -- the Department Logo, Seal, and Signatures.
    (b) The Symbol is described as follows: The outline of an American 
Eagle, facing left, with one of its wings stretched upward and the 
other wing pointed downward, is flanked on its right side by two 
outlines of the profile of a human head, both of which are located in 
between the eagle's wings. One of the profile outlines is smaller than 
the other and is nestled in the larger outline.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13MR15.002

    (c) The HHS Departmental Logo (Logo) incorporates the Symbol and is 
described as follows: From the tip of the outstretched wing of the 
American Eagle in symbol to the tip of the other, downward-facing wing, 
the words, ``DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES  USA'' form 
a circular arc. The official colors of the Logo are either Black or 
Reflex Blue. Reflex Blue RGB Numbers: 0/0/153 (R0, G0, B153)
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13MR15.003

    (d) The HHS Departmental Seal (Seal) incorporates the Symbol and is 
described as follows: Starting from the tip of the downward-facing wing 
of the American Eagle in the HHS symbol and forming a complete circle 
clockwise around the HHS symbol, the words, ``DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & 
HUMAN SERVICES  USA '' are printed, surrounded by a 
border composed of a solid inner ring at the base of the text and a 
triangular, scalloped edge at the top of the text. The

[[Page 13253]]

official colors of the Seal are Reflex Blue and Gold [Reflex Blue RGB 
Numbers: 0/0/153 (R0, G0, B153); Reflex Gold RGB Numbers: 254/252/1 
(R254, G252, B1)]. The Seal may also appear in Reflex Blue or Black.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR13MR15.004

    (e) The HHS Departmental symbol, logo, and seal shall each be 
referred to as an HHS emblem and shall collectively be referred to as 
HHS emblems.

    Dated: March 4, 2015.
Sylvia M. Burwell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-05536 Filed 3-12-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4150-04-P