[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 14, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21304-21305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09853]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3020

[Docket No. RM2019-3; Order No. 5088]


Mail Classification Schedule

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is proposing an amendment to its rules 
involving the information the Postal Service must provide when updating 
the size and weight limitations applicable to market dominant mail 
matter. The Commission invites public comment on the proposed 
revisions.

DATES: Comments are due: June 13, 2019.

ADDRESSES: For additional information, Order No. 5088 can be accessed 
electronically through the Commission's website at https://www.prc.gov. 
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:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Basis and Purpose of Proposed Rules
III. Proposed Rules

I. Background

    The Commission initiated this proceeding to explore updating 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 
sought 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.

II. Basis and Purpose of Proposed Rules

    Currently, Sec.  3020.111(a) requires the Postal Service to file a 
notice with the Commission 45 days prior to the effective date of the 
proposed update to size and weight limitations for market dominant mail 
matter. The notice must include a copy of the applicable sections of 
the MCS and the proposed updates therein in legislative format. 39 CFR 
3020.111(a). The Commission evaluates the proposals in accordance with 
the policies and the applicable criteria of chapter 36 of title 39 of 
the United States Code. 39 CFR 3020.111(c). To assist the Commission in 
its review, the Postal Service has explained in previous notices how 
the proposed update is in accordance with the policies and applicable 
criteria of chapter 36 of title 39 of the United States Code.\1\
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    \1\ See, e.g., 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, at 3-6.
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    The Commission instituted this proceeding to evaluate whether this 
information is sufficient to address instances where a proposed update 
to size and weight limitations appears to modify the product lists 
without proper Commission oversight. In particular, the Commission is 
concerned with changes that may camouflage an unreasonable price 
increase, materially harm users or competitors, or otherwise constitute 
an abuse of market power. Accordingly, the Commission proposes that 
Sec.  3020.111(a) be amended to include the requirement that the Postal 
Service explain if a proposed update to a size or weight limitation 
will adversely affect users and competitors. The Commission also 
proposes to add a requirement that the Postal Service explain how a 
size and weight limitation change is in accordance with the policies 
and applicable criteria of chapter 36 of title 39 of the United States 
Code, as consistent with the Postal Service's current practice.
    The proposed amendment would not be overly burdensome to the Postal 
Service, as it does not require the information necessary for a section 
3642 review, such as establishing a lack of market power over the 
volume of mail that would be affected by the change. In practice, the 
Postal Service already explains how a size and weight limitation change 
complies with the statutes and rules. The requirement to explain the 
potential effects of the change on users and competitors in its notice 
is consistent with the requirements for material changes to product 
descriptions. See 39 CFR 3020.81(c).
    By requiring the Postal Service to explain the potential effects of 
a size and weight limitation change, the proposed amendment addresses 
the concern that updates to size and weight limitations could 
materially impact users of the product and competitors. The proposed 
amendment also allows the Commission to evaluate whether the size and 
weight limitation update effectively modifies the product lists. 
Furthermore, although it would be required to explain the potential 
effects of the size/weight limitation, the Postal Service could also 
describe any mitigating factors or explain explicitly why the change 
would not modify the product lists.

[[Page 21305]]

    Receiving this information at the outset of the proceeding promotes 
transparency with the Commission and the public on the potential 
effects of a size and weight limitation change. Moreover, by receiving 
this information in the notice, the Commission can more efficiently 
evaluate a size/weight limitation change within the 45-day statutory 
deadline by limiting information requests on potential harm to users 
and competitors. Thus, the proposed amendment will assist the 
Commission in evaluating whether a size and weight limitation is in 
accordance with the policies and the applicable criteria of chapter 36 
of title 39 of the United States Code.

III. Proposed Rules

    The Commission proposes to revise Sec.  3020.111(a) to require 
additional information that the Postal Service must file with a notice 
of an update to size and weight limitations for market dominant mail 
matter.

List of Subjects for 39 CFR Part 3020

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Commission proposes to 
amend chapter III of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

PART 3020--PRODUCT LISTS

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

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

0
2. Amend Sec.  3020.111, by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  3020.111  Limitations applicable to market dominant mail matter.

    (a) The Postal Service shall inform the Commission of updates to 
size and weight limitations for market dominant mail matter by filing 
notice with the Commission 45 days prior to the effective date of the 
proposed update. The notice shall:
    (1) Include a copy of the applicable sections of the Mail 
Classification Schedule and the proposed updates therein in legislative 
format;
    (2) Describe the likely impact that the proposed update will have 
on users of the product(s) and on competitors; and
    (3) Describe how the proposed update is in accordance with the 
policies and the applicable criteria of chapter 36 of title 39 of the 
United States Code.
* * * * *

    By the Commission.
Stacy L. Ruble,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-09853 Filed 5-13-19; 8:45 am]
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