Public Inquiry on International Mail Proposals

Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 151 (Monday, August 6, 2012)

Federal Register Volume 77, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2012)

Notices

Pages 46772-46773

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2012-19131

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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

Docket No. PI2012-1; Order No. 1420

Public Inquiry on International Mail Proposals

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is establishing a public inquiry to receive comments addressing the Commission's role in advising the Secretary of State on whether certain international mail proposals are consistent with applicable standards and criteria. This notice provides background information, addresses related administrative matters, and invites public comment.

DATES: Comments are due: August 20, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically by accessing the ``Filing Online'' link in the banner at the top of the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov) or by directly accessing the Commission's Filing Online system at https://www.prc.gov/prc-pages/filing-online/login.aspx. Commenters who cannot submit their views electronically should contact the person identified in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section as the source for case-related information for advice on alternatives to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820 (case-related information) or dockets@prc.gov (electronic filing assistance).

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Ordering Paragraphs

   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Introduction

   The Commission anticipates receiving a request from the Secretary of State, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 407(c)(1), for its

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   views on whether proposals affecting market dominant rates and classifications for international postal products and services exchanged among postal administrations, to be negotiated this fall at the 25th Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), are consistent with the standards and criteria for modern rate regulation established by the Commission under 39 U.S.C. 3622.

   The Commission invites public comment on the principles that should guide the development of its views.

2. Background

   The role of the State Department. The U.S. Department of State is responsible for formulating, coordinating, and overseeing foreign policy related to international postal services and other international delivery services, and has the power to conclude postal treaties, conventions, and amendments, subject to a condition related to competitive products. 39 U.S.C. 407(b)(1). In carrying out these responsibilities, the Secretary of State exercises primary authority for the conduct of foreign policy with respect to international postal services and other international delivery services, including the determination of United States positions and the conduct of United States participation in negotiations with foreign governments and international bodies. Id. at 407(b)(2). In exercising this authority, the Secretary of State is, among other things, to coordinate with other agencies as appropriate, and in particular, to give full consideration to the authority vested by law or Executive Order in certain Federal entities, including the Postal Regulatory Commission. Id. at 407(b)(2)(A).

   The role of the Commission. Before concluding any treaty, convention, or amendment that establishes a rate or classification for a product subject to subchapter I of chapter 36 provisions relating to market dominant products, the Secretary of State is to request that the Commission submit its views on whether such rate or classification is consistent with the standards and criteria established by the Commission under section 3622. Id. at 407(c)(1).\1\ The Secretary must then ensure that each treaty, convention, or amendment concluded under section 407(b) is consistent with the views submitted by the Commission except if, or to the extent the Secretary determines, in writing, that ensuring such consistency is not in the foreign policy or national security interest of the United States. Id. at 407(c)(2).

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   \1\ The Commission established a modern system of regulation in Order No. 43 (issued October 29, 2007).

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   The role of the UPU. The UPU is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the primary forum for cooperation between governments, posts, regulators and other postal-sector stakeholders. UPU Biennial Report 2009-2010 at 2. In terms of UPU organization and terminology the United States is a member country, the Department of State is the ministry, the Commission is the regulator, and the Postal Service is the operator.

   Every 4 years, the UPU Congress meets ``to define the future world postal strategy, the Union's 4-year roadmap, and lay down standards and regulations which facilitate and increase the security of international exchanges of mail and parcels, as well as the delivery of a broad range of secure and affordable electronic and financial services.'' \2\ The UPU will hold its 25th Congress in Doha, Qatar this fall (from September 24 to October 15, 2012). As matters that affect ``postal treaties, conventions, and amendments'' will be considered in Doha, section 407 requirements come into play.

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   \2\ http://www.upu.int/the-upu/congress/about-congress.html.

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   In anticipation of receipt of the Secretary of State's request under section 407(c)(1), the Commission invites public comment on the principles that should guide development of its views on the consistency of proposals for ``rates and classification of products subject to subchapter I of chapter 36'' with the standards and criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3622.

   Comments are to be submitted via the Commission's Filing Online system at http://www.prc.gov unless a request for waiver is approved. For assistance with filing, contact Joyce Taylor at 202-789-6846 or dockets@prc.gov.

   Public Representative. Section 505 of title 39 requires the designation of an officer of the Commission (public representative) to represent the interests of the general public in all public proceedings. The Commission hereby designates Emmett Rand Costich as Public Representative in this proceeding.

3. Ordering Paragraphs

   It is ordered:

   1. The Commission establishes Docket No. PI2012-1 for the purpose of receiving comments on the principles that should guide the development of its section 407 views on rate and classification proposals subject to subchapter I of chapter 36 of title 39 of the U.S. Code provisions relating to market dominant products.

   2. Comments are due by August 20, 2012.

   3. Emmett Rand Costich is designated as the Public Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this docket.

   4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Notice in the Federal Register.

   Shoshana M. Grove,

   Secretary.

   FR Doc. 2012-19131 Filed 8-3-12; 8:45 am

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