The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is issuing an interim final rule with requests for comments to amend its arbitration ( printed page 49274) services regulations. The interim final rule clarifies the circumstances in which the Office of Arbitration (OA) may decline to issue an arbitration panel, make a direct appointment, or provide related arbitration services. Those regulations provide that voluntary arbitration and fact-finding are important means of resolving labor disputes and that OA administers requests for labor arbitration services. The rule clarifies FMCS's procedures for providing arbitration panels and appointments and does not impose significant compliance costs. This rule clarifies FMCS's procedures for processing requests for arbitration panels, direct appointments, and related arbitration services.