New Mailing Standards for Mailpieces Containing Liquids, 31712-31713 [2018-14382]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Proposed Rules
also be viewed online through the
Federal Docket Management System
(FDMS) at https://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Shores, Director, Office of
Regulation Policy and Management,
Office of the Secretary, Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
NW, Washington DC, 20420; (202) 461–
4921.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
1710 of title 38 United States Code
(U.S.C.) requires VA to ‘‘furnish hospital
care and medical services which the
Secretary determines to be needed’’ for
eligible veterans. In 1999, VA
promulgated 38 CFR 17.38, establishing
the Department’s medical benefits
package for veterans enrolled in VA’s
health care system. 64 FR 54207 (Oct. 6,
1999). The regulation describes the
types of medical care and services
available for such veterans. Care
referred to in the medical benefits
package is provided to individuals only
if it is determined by appropriate
healthcare professionals that the care is
needed to promote, preserve, or restore
the health of the individual and is in
accord with generally accepted
standards of medical practice. 38 CFR
17.38(b). Paragraph (c) of that section
provides a list of medical services the
medical benefits package does not
include. Paragraph (c)(4) explicitly
excludes ‘‘gender alterations’’ from the
medical benefits package.
On May 9, 2016, VA received a
Petition for Rulemaking petitioning VA
to amend its medical regulations by
removing the exclusion of ‘‘gender
alterations’’ from its medical benefits
package. The petition asks VA to
remove 38 CFR 17.38(c)(4), allowing VA
to provide gender alteration surgeries.
As part of its ongoing consideration of
the petition, VA now seeks public
comment on the petition and on
whether ‘‘gender alterations’’ should be
included in the medical benefits
package. On February 22, 2018, the
Department of Defense issued a report
that considered the efficacy of gender
alteration surgery as treatment for
gender dysphoria. That report noted
considerable scientific uncertainty and
overall lack of high quality scientific
evidence demonstrating the extent to
which transition-related treatments such
as sex reassignment surgery remedy the
multifaceted mental health problems
associated with gender dysphoria.
Commenters are specifically invited
to address the following questions:
What evidence is available about the
safety and effectiveness of gender
alterations for the treatment of gender
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 Jul 06, 2018
Jkt 244001
dysphoria and how reliable is that
evidence?
Given the challenge of the high rates
of Veteran suicide, what does the
evidence, including peer-reviewed
evidence, suggest about the impact of
gender alterations on the rates of suicide
and suicide ideation among those
suffering from gender dysphoria?
Given that any addition to the
medical benefits package will have an
associated cost and burden on existing
specialists, especially urological and
vascular surgeons and other highly
trained specialists who are already in
shorty supply nationwide, what is the
potential impact of adding ‘‘gender
alterations’’ on Veterans’ access to care,
particularly for Veterans facing lifethreatening medical conditions waiting
to see surgical specialists?
We are providing a 60-day period
from the date of publication of this
Federal Register Notice for the public to
submit comments on this subject. VA
will consider the comments received,
and then determine whether to propose
a regulatory change in response to the
Petition for Rulemaking. VA will
announce any action it takes in the
Federal Register.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
designee, approved this document and
authorized the undersigned to sign and
submit the document to the Office of the
Federal Register for publication
electronically as an official document of
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd, Acting Chief of
Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs,
approved this document on June 19,
2018, for publication.
Michael Shores,
Director, Office of Regulation Policy &
Management, Office of the Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2018–14629 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Mailing Standards for Mailpieces
Containing Liquids
Postal ServiceTM.
Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Postal Service is
proposing to revise Mailing Standards
of the United States Postal Service,
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section
601.3.4 to provide for more rigorous
packaging requirements for mailpieces
containing liquids.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Submit comments on or before
August 8, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written
comments to the manager, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475
L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260–5015. If sending
comments by email, include the name
and address of the commenter and send
to ProductClassification@usps.gov with
a subject line of ‘‘New Standards for
Liquids’’. Faxed comments are not
accepted. You may inspect and
photocopy all written comments, by
appointment only, at USPS
Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant
Plaza SW, 11th Floor North,
Washington, DC 20260. These records
are available for review Monday through
Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., by calling 202–
268–2906.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct questions to Wm. Kevin Gunther
at wkgunther@uspis.gov or phone at
(202) 268–7208, or Michelle Lassiter at
michelle.d.lassiter@usps.gov or phone at
(202) 268–2914.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal
Service and United States Postal
Inspection Service (USPIS) have
observed an increased frequency of
incidents involving containers of liquids
rupturing while in Postal Service
networks. A typical result of these
incidents is damage to surrounding
mailpieces and to Postal Service
equipment.
When responding to incidents
involving liquid spills, Postal Service
employees frequently note that
mailpieces containing liquids are often
not marked on the outer mailing
container as required by DMM 601.3.4.
Many of these leaking mailpieces
contain plastic primary receptacles.
Mailers often do not consider plastic
primary receptacles to be breakable, and
therefore do not cushion these primary
receptacles with absorbent material or
include secondary containers, as
specified by DMM 601.3.4.
The Postal Service and USPIS have
also observed that spills of nonhazardous materials in relatively small
quantities can result in damage to
surrounding mailpieces and cause
temporary equipment shutdowns. This
is especially true with viscous or oily
substances, such as oils and lotions.
These materials are often mailed by
First-Class Package Service®. When
ruptured, they will frequently leak onto
other lightweight mailpieces containing
photographs and documents.
This proposed revision would require
mailers of all liquids in nonmetal
containers, regardless of volume, to
provide triple packaging, including
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\09JYP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Proposed Rules
absorbent cushioning materials, sealed
secondary packaging, and a strong outer
mailing container. The Postal Service is
also adding language to encourage the
use of locking rings when mailing metal
containers with friction-top closures
(push-down tops).
The Postal Service believes these new
mailing standards will prevent spills in
general and reduce the frequency of
incidents in which ruptured containers
of liquid cause significant damage to
surrounding mailpieces. The Postal
Service anticipates that this proposed
revision will result in decreased cost
and time related to spill response, mail
decontamination, site cleanup, and
provide for an improved customer
experience.
If this proposed rule is adopted, the
Postal Service will revise and align the
language referencing the packaging of
nonhazardous liquids located in DMM
601.3.4 and add clarifying language
regarding the use of orientation arrows.
The Postal Service will also publish an
appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part
111 to reflect these changes. Finally, if
the proposed rule is adopted, the Postal
Service will also make corresponding
revisions to Publication 52, Hazardous,
Restricted, and Perishable Mail, section
451 to align both publications with
regard to the packaging of liquids in its
networks.
Although exempt from the notice and
comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
553(b), (c)) regarding proposed
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the
Postal Service invites public comments
on the following proposed revisions to
Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), incorporated by reference in the
Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 CFR
111.1).
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Administrative practice and
procedure, Incorporation by reference,
Postal Service.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in
the preamble, the Postal Service
proposes that 39 CFR parts 111 and 113
be amended as follows:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS
PART 111—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR
part 111 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301–
307; 18 U.S.C. 1692–1737; 39 U.S.C. 101,
401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001–3011, 3201–
3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632,
3633, and 5001.
2. Revise the following sections of
Mailing Standards of the United States
■
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:21 Jul 06, 2018
Jkt 244001
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), as follows:
31713
enough to withstand normal processing
in Postal Service networks.
*
*
*
*
*
Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM)
Ruth Stevenson,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
*
[FR Doc. 2018–14382 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am]
*
*
*
*
600 Basic Standards for All Mailing
Services
601
*
3.0
Packaging
*
*
3.4
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
Mailability
*
Liquids
*
*
*
*
*
*
39 CFR Part 3050
[Docket No. RM2018–9; Order No. 4692]
Periodic Reporting
Frm 00020
Fmt 4702
Postal Regulatory Commission.
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
[Revise the introductory paragraph of
3.4 to read as follows:]
Mailers must mark the outer container
of a mailpiece containing liquid to
indicate the nature of the contents, and
include orientation arrows in
accordance with Publication 52, section
226. Mailers must package and mail
liquids under the following conditions:
[Revise 601.3.4a to read as follows:]
a. Use screw-on caps with a minimum
of one and one-half turns, soldering,
clips, or similar means to close primary
containers containing liquids. Do not
use containers with friction-top closures
(push-down tops) except as provided in
3.4d.
[Renumber the current 601.3.4b
through 601.3.4d as the new 601.3.4c
through 601.3.4e and add a new
601.3.4b to read as follows:]
b. The use of locking rings or similar
devices is encouraged when mailing
containers with friction-top closures
(push-down tops).
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise renumbered 601.3.4d to read
as follows:]
d. All nonmetal containers of liquids,
including plastic containers, and metal
containers with friction top closures,
without regard to volume, must be
triple-packaged according to the
following requirements:
1. Cushion the primary container(s)
with absorbent material capable of
absorbing all of the liquid in the
container(s) in case of breakage;
2. Place the primary container inside
another sealed, leakproof container
(secondary container), such as a
watertight can or plastic bag; and
3. Use a strong and securely sealed
outer mailing container durable enough
to protect the contents and durable
PO 00000
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
Sfmt 4702
ACTION:
The Commission is
acknowledging a recent filing requesting
the Commission initiate an informal
rulemaking proceeding to consider
changes to an analytical method for use
in periodic reporting (Proposal Six).
This document informs the public of the
filing, invites public comment, and
takes other administrative steps.
DATES: Comments are due: August 15,
2018.
SUMMARY:
Submit comments
electronically via the Commission’s
Filing Online system at https://
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.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
202–789–6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Proposal Six
III. Notice and Comment
IV. Ordering Paragraphs
I. Introduction
On June 26, 2018, the Postal Service
filed a petition pursuant to 39 CFR
3050.11, requesting that the
Commission initiate a rulemaking
proceeding to consider changes to
analytical principles relating to periodic
reports.1 The Petition identifies the
1 Petition of the United States Postal Service for
the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed
Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal Six),
June 26, 2018 (Petition). The Postal Service filed a
non-public library reference with Proposal Six.
Library Reference USPS–RM2018–9/NP1,
Nonpublic Material Relating to Proposal Six, June
26, 2018; Notice of Filing of USPS–RM2018–9/NP1
and Application for Nonpublic Treatment, June 26,
2018.
E:\FR\FM\09JYP1.SGM
09JYP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31712-31713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14382]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Mailing Standards for Mailpieces Containing Liquids
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section
601.3.4 to provide for more rigorous packaging requirements for
mailpieces containing liquids.
DATES: Submit comments on or before August 8, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the
name and address of the commenter and send to
[email protected] with a subject line of ``New Standards
for Liquids''. Faxed comments are not accepted. You may inspect and
photocopy all written comments, by appointment only, at USPS
Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor North,
Washington, DC 20260. These records are available for review Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by calling 202-268-2906.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct questions to Wm. Kevin Gunther
at [email protected] or phone at (202) 268-7208, or Michelle Lassiter
at [email protected] or phone at (202) 268-2914.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service and United States Postal
Inspection Service (USPIS) have observed an increased frequency of
incidents involving containers of liquids rupturing while in Postal
Service networks. A typical result of these incidents is damage to
surrounding mailpieces and to Postal Service equipment.
When responding to incidents involving liquid spills, Postal
Service employees frequently note that mailpieces containing liquids
are often not marked on the outer mailing container as required by DMM
601.3.4. Many of these leaking mailpieces contain plastic primary
receptacles. Mailers often do not consider plastic primary receptacles
to be breakable, and therefore do not cushion these primary receptacles
with absorbent material or include secondary containers, as specified
by DMM 601.3.4.
The Postal Service and USPIS have also observed that spills of non-
hazardous materials in relatively small quantities can result in damage
to surrounding mailpieces and cause temporary equipment shutdowns. This
is especially true with viscous or oily substances, such as oils and
lotions. These materials are often mailed by First-Class Package
Service[supreg]. When ruptured, they will frequently leak onto other
lightweight mailpieces containing photographs and documents.
This proposed revision would require mailers of all liquids in
nonmetal containers, regardless of volume, to provide triple packaging,
including
[[Page 31713]]
absorbent cushioning materials, sealed secondary packaging, and a
strong outer mailing container. The Postal Service is also adding
language to encourage the use of locking rings when mailing metal
containers with friction-top closures (push-down tops).
The Postal Service believes these new mailing standards will
prevent spills in general and reduce the frequency of incidents in
which ruptured containers of liquid cause significant damage to
surrounding mailpieces. The Postal Service anticipates that this
proposed revision will result in decreased cost and time related to
spill response, mail decontamination, site cleanup, and provide for an
improved customer experience.
If this proposed rule is adopted, the Postal Service will revise
and align the language referencing the packaging of nonhazardous
liquids located in DMM 601.3.4 and add clarifying language regarding
the use of orientation arrows. The Postal Service will also publish an
appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes.
Finally, if the proposed rule is adopted, the Postal Service will also
make corresponding revisions to Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted,
and Perishable Mail, section 451 to align both publications with regard
to the packaging of liquids in its networks.
Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public
comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM),
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39
CFR 111.1).
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Administrative practice and procedure, Incorporation by reference,
Postal Service.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal
Service proposes that 39 CFR parts 111 and 113 be amended as follows:
PART 111--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219,
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.
0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail
Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
601 Mailability
* * * * *
3.0 Packaging
* * * * *
3.4 Liquids
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 3.4 to read as follows:]
Mailers must mark the outer container of a mailpiece containing
liquid to indicate the nature of the contents, and include orientation
arrows in accordance with Publication 52, section 226. Mailers must
package and mail liquids under the following conditions:
[Revise 601.3.4a to read as follows:]
a. Use screw-on caps with a minimum of one and one-half turns,
soldering, clips, or similar means to close primary containers
containing liquids. Do not use containers with friction-top closures
(push-down tops) except as provided in 3.4d.
[Renumber the current 601.3.4b through 601.3.4d as the new 601.3.4c
through 601.3.4e and add a new 601.3.4b to read as follows:]
b. The use of locking rings or similar devices is encouraged when
mailing containers with friction-top closures (push-down tops).
* * * * *
[Revise renumbered 601.3.4d to read as follows:]
d. All nonmetal containers of liquids, including plastic
containers, and metal containers with friction top closures, without
regard to volume, must be triple-packaged according to the following
requirements:
1. Cushion the primary container(s) with absorbent material capable
of absorbing all of the liquid in the container(s) in case of breakage;
2. Place the primary container inside another sealed, leakproof
container (secondary container), such as a watertight can or plastic
bag; and
3. Use a strong and securely sealed outer mailing container durable
enough to protect the contents and durable enough to withstand normal
processing in Postal Service networks.
* * * * *
Ruth Stevenson,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2018-14382 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P