Standards, Regulations, and Variances

The Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances (OSRV) guides all of MSHA's rulemaking activities from the pre-proposal stage to publication of the final rule. OSRV serves as the point of contact with the public and other Federal agencies on regulatory matters. For example, OSRV is the Agency liaison with the Office of the Federal Register and is responsible for coordinating publication of all Federal Register documents and for updating Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In accordance with the requirements of Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act, OSRV prepares cost-benefit analyses of proposed and final standards to determine their effect on businesses; and prepares and updates the Semiannual Regulatory Agenda and the Regulatory Plan which list MSHA's rulemaking projects selected for review or development during the coming year. OSRV also processes petitions from mine operators for variances from safety standards and oversees administration of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

OSRV is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.