67 FR 90 pg. 31168 - Authorization To Manufacture and Distribute Postage Meters
Type: PRORULEVolume: 67Number: 90Page: 31168
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-11506 Filed 5-8-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Postal Service
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 501
Authorization To Manufacture and Distribute Postage Meters
AGENCY:
Postal Service.
ACTION:
Proposed rule.
SUMMARY:
This proposed rule amends the regulations for inspecting postage meter production facilities that are located outside the continental United States. This proposed rule intends to require the manufacturer to reimburse the Postal Service for costs incurred by required inspections of production facilities located outside the continental United States.
DATES:
The Postal Service must receive your comments on or before June 10, 2002.
ADDRESSES:
Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Postage Technology Management, 1735 N Lynn Street, Room 5011, Arlington, Virginia 22209-6050. You can view and copy all written comments at the same address between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wayne Wilkerson, 703-292-3782, or by fax 703-292-4050.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 501, Authorization to Manufacture and Distribute Postage Meters, requires the Postal Service to inspect meter production facilities to determine if the facilities satisfy Postal Service requirements for meter and component security and production quality. A manufacturer may have valid business reasons for selecting a particular location for its production facilities. However, when a manufacturer chooses to locate these facilities outside the continental United States, conducting the required inspections of such facilities places an undue cost burden on the Postal Service. The Postal Service is requiring the manufacturer to reimburse such costs.
Notice and Comment
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 amendments to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 501
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
For the reasons set out in this document, the Postal Service is proposing to amend 39 CFR part 501 as follows:
PART 501-AUTHORIZATION TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE POSTAGE METERS
1. The authority citation for part 501 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 410, 2601, 2605; Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (Pub. L. 95-452, as amended), 5 U.S.C. App. 3.
2. Amend § 501.2 by revising the introductory paragraph and paragraphs (c) and (d) to read as follows:
§ 501.2 Manufacturer qualification.
Any concern wanting authorization to manufacture and/or lease postage meters for use by licensees under Domestic Mail Manual P030 must:
(c) Have, or establish, and keep under its supervision and control adequate production facilities suitable to carry out the provisions of §§ 501.15 through 501.21 to the satisfaction of the Postal Service. The production facilities must be subject to unannounced inspection by representatives of the Postal Service. If the provider's production facilities are located outside the continental United States, the provider shall be responsible for all reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the Postal Service to conduct the inspections.
(d) Have, or establish, and keep under its active supervision and control adequate facilities for the control, distribution, and maintenance of meters and their replacement or secure disposal or destruction when necessary.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 02-11506 Filed 5-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P