This subpart establishes the criteria for the issuance of interpretative rulings by the General Counsel. All rulings shall be published in the Federal Register. Any person is entitled to rely upon such ruling, to the extent provided in this subpart.

(a) A ruling may be issued, in the discretion of the General Counsel, whenever there have been a substantial number of inquiries with regard to similar factual situations or a particular section of the regulations.

(b) The General Counsel may issue a ruling whenever it is determined that it will be of assistance to the public in applying the regulations to a specific situation.

(a) A ruling may be modified or rescinded by:

(1) Publication of the modification or rescission in the Federal Register; or

(2) A rulemaking proceeding in accordance with subpart L of this part.

(b) Unless and until a ruling is modified or rescinded as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, no person shall be subject to the sanctions or penalties stated in subpart P of this part for actions taken in reliance upon the ruling, notwithstanding that the ruling shall thereafter be declared by judicial or other competent authority to be invalid. Upon such declaration, no person shall be entitled to rely upon the ruling.

A written comment on or objection to a published ruling may be filed at any time with the General Counsel at the address specified in § 205.12.

There is no administrative appeal of a ruling.