May 22, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add First-Class Package Service Contract 6 to the competitive product list. This notice addresses procedural steps associated with this filing.

EPA is taking action to finalize two separate and independent determinations regarding the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) nonattainment area of Baltimore (hereafter referred to as the ``Baltimore Area'' or ``Area''). First, EPA is determining that the Baltimore Area has attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This determination is based upon complete, quality-assured, and certified ambient air monitoring data for the 2008-2010 monitoring period showing that the Area has monitored attainment of the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS, and data available to date for 2011 in EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) database showing that the Area continues to attain. Under EPA's PM2.5 implementation regulations, this final determination suspends obligation of the Area to submit an attainment demonstration and associated reasonably available control measures and reasonably available control technologies (RACM/RACT), a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, contingency measures, and other planning State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions related to the attainment of the standard for so long as the Area continues to attain the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS. EPA is also determining, based on complete quality-assured and certified monitoring data for the 2007- 2009 monitoring period, that the Area attained the 1997 annual PM2.5 NAAQS by its applicable attainment date of April 5, 2010. In addition, EPA is withdrawing its July 31, 2009 (74 FR 38161) proposed determination of attainment for the Baltimore Area, because more recent monitoring data has become available. EPA is finalizing a determination of attainment for the Baltimore Area, in accordance with the requirements of the (CAA).

EPA is approving several State Implementation Plan (SIP) revisions submitted by the State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection. These SIP revisions consist of a demonstration that Maine meets the requirements of reasonably available control technology (RACT) for oxides of nitrogen (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) set forth by the Clean Air Act (CAA) with respect to the 1997 8-hour ozone standard as well as several new and revised VOC regulations. The intended effect of this action is to approve Maine's RACT demonstration for satisfying the State's RACT SIP revision obligation as of September 15, 2006, and to approve Maine's other submitted SIP regulations. This action is being taken in accordance with the CAA.

In order to help assess and ensure the accuracy of the trademark register, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (``USPTO'') is revising the Trademark Rules of Practice and the Rules of Practice for Filings Pursuant to the Madrid Protocol to allow the USPTO to: Upon request, require any additional specimens, information, exhibits, and affidavits or declarations deemed reasonably necessary to examine a post registration affidavit or declaration of continued use or excusable nonuse in trademark cases, and for a two-year period, conduct a pilot program for the USPTO to assess the accuracy and integrity of the register; and upon request, require more than one specimen in connection with a use-based trademark application, an allegation of use, or an amendment to a registered mark. These revisions aim to ensure the ability to rely on the trademark register as an accurate reflection of marks that are actually in use in the United States for the goods/services identified in the registration, and thereby reduce costs and burdens on the public.

DoD is adopting as final, with change, an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. The section provides that photovoltaic devices to be utilized in performance of any covered contract shall comply with the Buy American statute, subject to the exceptions provided in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 or otherwise provided by law.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to require additional planning, monitoring, and executing activities for contract closeouts when the contracts are awarded for performance in contingency areas.

DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement requirements of the Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Concerning Defense Trade Cooperation (the Treaty) and the Security Cooperation Act of 2010 regarding export control regulations between the United States and the United Kingdom. The Treaty and statute establish an Approved Community that includes members of the U.S. Government and the government of the United Kingdom.

DoD is issuing an interim rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The Republic of Korea is already party to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement.