46 CFR § 503.39 - Factors to be considered in response to demands or requests.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s503.39"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 503.39 - Factors to be considered in response to demands or requests."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "503.39"
section_name: "Factors to be considered in response to demands or requests."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS"
part_number: "503"
part_name: "PUBLIC INFORMATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 331, 552, 552a, 552b, 553; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 303; E.O. 13526 of January 5, 2010 75 FR 707, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 298, sections 5.1(a) and (b)."
regulatory_source: "49 FR 44401, Nov. 6, 1984, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "503"
---


# 503.39 Factors to be considered in response to demands or requests.

(a) The Commission will determine whether testimony or the production of documents will be authorized according to the following criteria:

(1) Statutory restrictions, as well as any legal objection, exemption, or privilege that may apply;

(2) Relevant legal standards for disclosure of nonpublic information and documents;

(3) Commission rules and regulations;

(4) The public interest;

(5) Minimizing or preventing expenditures of Commission time and resources solely for private purposes.

(6) Minimizing the appearance of improperly favoring one litigant over another;

(7) Minimizing the possibility that the public will misconstrue variances between personal opinions of Commission employees and Commission policy; and

(8) Preserving the integrity of the administrative process.

(b) [Reserved]