Sec. 68.5  Waivers.

    The Commission may, upon the application of any interested person, 
initiate a proceeding to waive the requirements of Sec. 68.4(a)(1) with 
respect to new telephones, or telephones associated with a new 
technology or service. The Commission shall not grant such a waiver 
unless it determines, on the basis of evidence in the record of such 
proceeding, that such telephones, or such technology or service, are in 
the public interest, and that (a) compliance with the requirements of 
Sec. 68.4(a)(1) is technologically infeasible, or (b) compliance with 
such requirements would increase the costs of the telephones, or of the 
technology or service, to such an extent that such telephones, 
technology, or service could not be successfully marketed. In any 
proceeding under this section to grant a waiver from the requirements of 
Sec. 68.4(a)(1), the Commission shall consider the effect on hearing-
impaired individuals of granting the waiver. The Commission shall 
periodically review and determine the continuing need for any waiver 
granted pursuant to this section.

[ 54 FR 21430 , May 18, 1989]