The National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) is alive and well, but the National Classification Committee (NCC) will cease to exist on and after December 6, 2007.

From now on, decisions on docketed proposals for changes to the NMFC will be made by classification specialists on the staff of the National Motor Freight Traffic Classification (NMFTC). This new group will be called the Commodity Classification Standards Board (CCSB) and they will decide whether to approve, approve as amended, or disapprove docketed proposals for changes or additions in the classification descriptions, ratings (classes), rules or packaging requirements.

As a result of these changes, a new policy-making committee composed of member participants in the NMFC will be formed. It will be called the National Resource Committee (NRC). Anyone who is an interested party or a party of record that is dissatisfied with a decision by the new CCSB (be it a shipper, carrier, trade association, or consultant) may file a request for reconsideration by the members of the staff of the National Classification Standards Board (NCSB) within 30 days after the Board hands down a decision or may request the Board’s initial decision be made subject to arbitration. Either request will automatically stay the decision of the Board.

Next year the CCSB will issue three dockets and hold three public meetings in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in early February, and two in Alexandria, Va., at the Crown Plaza hotel right next door to the NMFTA’s offices. Dockets will be issued 60 days prior to the public meetings and can be viewed on its website at www.nmfta.org. Interested shippers or carriers will be required to submit information as to the transportation characteristics of the products they are interested in at least 10 days prior to the public meetings.

While carrier participants in the NMFC will be able to attend and speak on any docketed proposal, they will, however, have no opportunity to vote on any subject that is proposed on that docket. All votes will be made by classification specialists that are members of the Commodity Classification Standards Board.