WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce – together with several other association allies – today filed a petition to stay a proposed rule by the FCC that would outlaw fax communications between associations and their members, as well as businesses and their preexisting customers without written authorization.

 

“The FCC’s proposed rule is ludicrous,” said Steve Bokat, Chamber general counsel and executive vice president of the Chamber’s National Litigation Center.  “Faxing is one of the best ways our organizations and businesses communicate with their constituents.”

 

The proposed fax rules would place a monumental and costly administrative burden on associations and other businesses by requiring them to obtain the signed written consent of each recipient before any commercial fax may be sent.  This would severely impede the ability of associations and businesses to communicate with their customers or make them aware of events and products that would be of interest to them, according to the Chamber. 

 

Currently, associations and businesses are free to send faxes to those persons with which they have an established business relationship, and unsolicited faxes and junk faxes are already illegal.

 

“The rule would have a huge impact on the bottom lines of businesses and non-profit organizations,” continued Bokat.  “This is classic example of a government agency extending its hand too far into the business of business.”

 

The regulations are set to take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, which would be as soon as August 25th.  However, the rule cannot formally take effect until the Office of Management and Budget fulfills its  Paperwork Reduction Act review.