[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1420-1421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-00665]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3020

[Docket No. RM2019-3; Order No. 4987]


Competitive Postal Products

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission seeks comments on whether to update its 
regulations to address proposed classification changes to product 
descriptions in the Mail Classification Schedule that may modify the 
market and/or competitive products lists. This document informs the 
public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other 
administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: April 5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 1421]]

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Background
III. Request for Comments
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    The Commission initiates this advanced notice of proposed 
rulemaking (ANPR) to seek comments on whether to update its regulations 
to address proposed classification changes to product descriptions in 
the Mail Classification Schedule (MCS) that may modify the market 
dominant and/or competitive product lists. The Commission is 
specifically reviewing changes to regulations involving updates to the 
size and weight limitations applicable to market dominant mail matter. 
See 39 CFR 3020.111.

II. Background

    Section 3682 provides that the Postal Service may establish size 
and weight limitations for mail matter in the market dominant category 
of mail consistent with regulations the Postal Regulatory Commission 
may prescribe under section 3622. 39 U.S.C. 3682. Commission rule 
3020.111(a) requires the Postal Service to inform the Commission of 
updates to size and weight limitations for market dominant mail matter. 
39 CFR 3020.111(a). The Commission is required to evaluate any proposed 
updates ``in accordance with the policies and the applicable criteria 
of chapter 36 of 39 U.S.C.'' 39 CFR 3020.111(c).
    In Docket No. MC2019-3, the Postal Service filed a request pursuant 
to 39 CFR 3020.111 seeking to change the weight limit to 15.994 ounces 
(from 64 ounces) for Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail 
International (FCMI) Large Envelopes (Flats).\1\ The Postal Service 
stated that FCMI Flats weighing 16 ounces or more would be charged the 
applicable First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) price.\2\ 
FCPIS is an existing product on the competitive product list.
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    \1\ Docket No. MC2019-3, Notice of the United States Postal 
Service of Update to the Maximum Weight Limit for Outbound Single-
Piece First-Class Mail International Large Envelopes (Flats) in the 
Mail Classification Schedule, October 10, 2018.
    \2\ International Mailing Services: Product and Price Changes-
CPI, 83 FR 52351 (October 17, 2018). The Postal Services stated 
that, if mailed as FCPIS, these mailpieces would be charged from 17 
percent to 157 percent more than the prices for FCMI Flats. See 
Docket No. MC2019-3, Response of the United States Postal Service to 
Commission Information Request No. 1, October 26, 2018, question 2 
(Response to CIR No. 1).
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    In its Response to CIR No. 1, the Postal Service stated that the 
proposed classification change would have no effect on the market 
dominant product list because the FCMI product would still appear on 
the product list. Response to CIR No. 1, question 1. The Postal Service 
explained that only the portions of MCS section 1125 that concern the 
weight limitations for FCMI Flats would be revised, pursuant to 39 
U.S.C. 3682. Id. The Postal Service also asserted that neither section 
3682 nor the Commission rules on updates to size and weight limitations 
refer to 39 U.S.C. 3642 or 39 CFR part 3020 subpart B governing 
modifications to the product lists. Id.
    Because the proposed update was in accordance with the policies and 
applicable criteria of chapter 36 of title 39, the Commission approved 
the update to the weight limitation in Order No. 4932.\3\ However, in 
that order, the Commission stated ``that the practical impact of the 
proposed update is a transfer of FCMI Flats weighing over 15.994 ounces 
from the market dominant product list to the competitive product 
list.'' Order No. 4932 at 5. The Commission went on to express concerns 
``that the Postal Service could use the size and weight limitation 
regulations to make extensive changes to product lists without proper 
Commission oversight.'' Id. For example, the Public Representative, in 
that docket, considered that the Postal Service could effectively 
eliminate products from a product list by drastically reducing the 
range of a product's weight limitations or could effectively add 
products to a product list by greatly expanding the limitations.\4\
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    \3\ Docket No. MC2019-3, Order Approving Update to Weight 
Limitation, December 19, 2018, at 5 (Order No. 4932).
    \4\ Docket No. MC2019-3, Public Representative Comments, 
November 13, 2018, at 7.
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III. Request for Comments

    The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2019-3 to evaluate whether 
changes to MCS provisions that, in effect, add products to, remove 
products from, or transfer products between product lists, are changes 
that implicate the requirements of section 3642. In particular, the 
Commission requests comments from interested parties on whether it 
should update its regulations to require information pursuant to 
section 3642 when changes to the size and weight limitations appear to 
modify the product lists. Comments are due no later than 60 days after 
the date of publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Commission rules require that comments be filed online according to the 
process outlined at 39 CFR 3001.9(a), unless a waiver is obtained. 
Additional information regarding how to submit comments online can be 
found at: http://www.prc.gov/how-to-participate. All comments accepted 
will be made available on the Commission's website at: http://www.prc.gov.
    Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth E. Richardson is designated as 
an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the 
interests of the general public in this proceeding.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2019-3 to evaluate 
whether changes to MCS provisions that add products to, remove products 
from, or transfer products between product lists, are changes that 
implicate the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3642.
    2. Interested persons may submit comments no later than 60 days 
from the date of publication of this document in the Federal Register.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.C.S. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth E. 
Richardson to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this docket.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Stacy L. Ruble,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-00665 Filed 2-1-19; 8:45 am]
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