Final rule · 2026-17652

Requests for Arbitration Panels

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing an interim final rule with requests for comments to amend its arbitration services regulations. The interim final rule clarifies the circumstances in which the Office of Arbitration (OA) may decline to issue an arbitration panel, make a direct appointment, or provide related arbitration services. The rule would remove language that could be read to require FMCS to honor every unilateral request for an arbitration panel, regardless of legal constraints or FMCS's authority. Due to a technical error, FMCS is reposting this IFR and extending the deadline for comments to 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. FMCS seeks public comment on this interim final rule.