Periodic Reporting, 31713-31714 [2018-14621]

Download as PDF 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 31714 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Proposed Rules proposed analytical changes filed in this docket as Proposal Six. II. Proposal Six Background. The Postal Service indicates that Proposal Six addresses two issues regarding the treatment of international indemnity payments. Petition, Proposal Six at 1. First, the Postal Service states this proposal ‘‘addresses the issue of assigning claims for Priority Mail International (PMI) service to Outbound International Insurance, rather than to the PMI product.’’ 2 Second, the Postal Service states that Proposal Six responds to a directive in the FY 2017 Annual Compliance Determination report (ACD). Id. In the FY 2017 ACD, the Commission directed the Postal Service to file a report on its ‘‘evaluation of Outbound International Insurance cost reporting’’ within 90 days of the FY 2017 ACD, including a determination of ‘‘whether a change in analytical principles is warranted.’’ 3 Proposal. The Postal Service states that Proposal Six will ‘‘expand the distribution of the attributable costs for International Indemnity payments to include International Inbound Indemnity payments.’’ Petition, Proposal Six at 2. The proposal separates Outbound International Insurance indemnities from Inbound International Insurance indemnities, and ‘‘develop[s] separate decision rules for treating the costs relating to Outbound International indemnities and Inbound International indemnities.’’ Id. Specifically, the Postal Service proposes sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 2 Id. (citing Docket No. ACR2017, United States Postal Service Annual Compliance Report, December 29, 2017, at 71 (FY 2017 ACR)). 3 Id.; see Annual Compliance Determination Report, Fiscal Year 2017, March 29, 2018, at 88 (FY 2017 ACD). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:21 Jul 06, 2018 Jkt 244001 for Outbound International Insurance indemnities ‘‘1) when additional insurance is not purchased, the indemnity cost will be assigned to the base parent product, and 2) when additional insurance is purchased, the indemnity cost will be assigned to the Outbound International Insurance product.’’ Id. at 4. For Inbound International Insurance, the Postal Service proposes to split these indemnities from Outbound International indemnities and distribute the costs to their respective inbound products. Id. at 5–6. Rationale and impact. The Postal Service states that the current cost reporting requires ‘‘refinements’’ which ‘‘may not rise to the level of a change in analytical principles.’’ Id. at 2. It explains that the proposed methodology will correct the prior method of distributing international indemnity payments. Id. The Postal Service identifies the likely effects of Proposal Six on the development of the International Cost and Revenue Analysis (ICRA) report in non-public Library Reference USPS–RM2018–9/ NP1. Id. at 2–3. The Petition indicates the proposal shifts costs from Outbound International Insurance to Inbound International Insurance, resulting in an improvement in contribution for Outbound products and a decline in contribution for Inbound products, and provides cell-by-cell differences between the proposed methodology and the data provided in the ICRA as part of the Postal Service’s annual compliance report for FY 2017. Id. at 2–6. The Postal Service anticipates the overall net impact would not result in a negative contribution by any product that previously had a positive contribution, but also would not result in a positive contribution by any product that PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 9990 currently has a negative contribution. Id. at 3. III. Notice and Comment The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2018–9 for consideration of matters raised by the Petition. More information on the Petition may be accessed via the Commission’s website at https://www.prc.gov. Interested persons may submit comments on the Petition and Proposal Six no later than August 15, 2018. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth R. Moeller 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. RM2018–9 for consideration of the matters raised by the Petition of the United States Postal Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal Six), filed June 26, 2018. 2. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no later than August 15, 2018. 3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth R. Moeller 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. Ruth Ann Abrams, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–14621 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P E:\FR\FM\09JYP1.SGM 09JYP1

Agencies

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31713-31714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14621]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3050

[Docket No. RM2018-9; Order No. 4692]


Periodic Reporting

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: 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.

ADDRESSES: 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.

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

[[Page 31714]]

proposed analytical changes filed in this docket as Proposal Six.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Proposal Six

    Background. The Postal Service indicates that Proposal Six 
addresses two issues regarding the treatment of international indemnity 
payments. Petition, Proposal Six at 1. First, the Postal Service states 
this proposal ``addresses the issue of assigning claims for Priority 
Mail International (PMI) service to Outbound International Insurance, 
rather than to the PMI product.'' \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Id. (citing Docket No. ACR2017, United States Postal Service 
Annual Compliance Report, December 29, 2017, at 71 (FY 2017 ACR)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, the Postal Service states that Proposal Six responds to a 
directive in the FY 2017 Annual Compliance Determination report (ACD). 
Id. In the FY 2017 ACD, the Commission directed the Postal Service to 
file a report on its ``evaluation of Outbound International Insurance 
cost reporting'' within 90 days of the FY 2017 ACD, including a 
determination of ``whether a change in analytical principles is 
warranted.'' \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Id.; see Annual Compliance Determination Report, Fiscal Year 
2017, March 29, 2018, at 88 (FY 2017 ACD).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposal. The Postal Service states that Proposal Six will ``expand 
the distribution of the attributable costs for International Indemnity 
payments to include International Inbound Indemnity payments.'' 
Petition, Proposal Six at 2. The proposal separates Outbound 
International Insurance indemnities from Inbound International 
Insurance indemnities, and ``develop[s] separate decision rules for 
treating the costs relating to Outbound International indemnities and 
Inbound International indemnities.'' Id. Specifically, the Postal 
Service proposes for Outbound International Insurance indemnities ``1) 
when additional insurance is not purchased, the indemnity cost will be 
assigned to the base parent product, and 2) when additional insurance 
is purchased, the indemnity cost will be assigned to the Outbound 
International Insurance product.'' Id. at 4. For Inbound International 
Insurance, the Postal Service proposes to split these indemnities from 
Outbound International indemnities and distribute the costs to their 
respective inbound products. Id. at 5-6.
    Rationale and impact. The Postal Service states that the current 
cost reporting requires ``refinements'' which ``may not rise to the 
level of a change in analytical principles.'' Id. at 2. It explains 
that the proposed methodology will correct the prior method of 
distributing international indemnity payments. Id. The Postal Service 
identifies the likely effects of Proposal Six on the development of the 
International Cost and Revenue Analysis (ICRA) report in non-public 
Library Reference USPS-RM2018-9/NP1. Id. at 2-3. The Petition indicates 
the proposal shifts costs from Outbound International Insurance to 
Inbound International Insurance, resulting in an improvement in 
contribution for Outbound products and a decline in contribution for 
Inbound products, and provides cell-by-cell differences between the 
proposed methodology and the data provided in the ICRA as part of the 
Postal Service's annual compliance report for FY 2017. Id. at 2-6. The 
Postal Service anticipates the overall net impact would not result in a 
negative contribution by any product that previously had a positive 
contribution, but also would not result in a positive contribution by 
any product that currently has a negative contribution. Id. at 3.

III. Notice and Comment

    The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2018-9 for consideration of 
matters raised by the Petition. More information on the Petition may be 
accessed via the Commission's website at https://www.prc.gov. Interested 
persons may submit comments on the Petition and Proposal Six no later 
than August 15, 2018. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth R. Moeller 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. RM2018-9 for consideration 
of the matters raised by the Petition of the United States Postal 
Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes 
in Analytical Principles (Proposal Six), filed June 26, 2018.
    2. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than August 15, 2018.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth R. 
Moeller 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.
Ruth Ann Abrams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-14621 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P

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