39 CFR § 3024.8 - Statutorily authorized affirmative defense.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t39/s3024.8"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "39 CFR § 3024.8 - Statutorily authorized affirmative defense."
title_number: 39
title_name: "Postal Service"
section_number: "3024.8"
section_name: "Statutorily authorized affirmative defense."
chapter_name: "POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "SPECIAL RULES OF PRACTICE FOR SPECIFIC PROCEEDING TYPES"
part_number: "3024"
part_name: "SPECIAL RULES FOR COMPLAINTS ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF 39 U.S.C. 404a"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "39 U.S.C. 404a; 3662."
regulatory_source: "79 FR 62294, Oct. 16, 2014, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 85 FR 9615, Feb. 19, 2020."
cfr_part: "3024"
---


# 3024.8 Statutorily authorized affirmative defense.

(a) As an affirmative defense to an allegation of a violation of 39 U.S.C. 404a(a), the Postal Service may demonstrate that it is specifically authorized by law to take the action or inaction alleged to be a violation of that section.

(b) Authority under 39 U.S.C. 401 or 39 U.S.C. 404 may not form the basis of an affirmative defense under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Paragraph (b) of this section does not preclude the Postal Service from arguing that a particular Postal Service regulation or other action (or inaction) does not have the requisite effect to violate 39 U.S.C. 404a(a).