INFORM Act: USPS Must Notify Public and Regulators Before Major Service Changes

The INFORM Act of 2025, officially the "Instituting Notification Formalities On Reorganizing Mail Act," aims to bring more transparency to how the U.S. Postal Service handles significant, nationwide changes to its services. Essentially, it mandates a heads-up process before major shifts occur.

No More Surprises: What USPS Has to Tell You Now

Under this act, if the Postal Service plans a change that will have a broad impact across the country, it can't just roll it out quietly. First, it needs to submit the proposal to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) – the oversight body – for an advisory opinion. This needs to happen within a "reasonable timeframe" before the change goes live. Second, and more directly relevant to everyday folks, the USPS must post notices about the change in affected post offices. These notices aren't just quick memos; they have to stay up for at least 30 days after the change is implemented and must include specifics like:

• What exactly is changing.
• When it's happening.
• How it's expected to affect national postal services.
• Details on public meetings or comment periods.
• Contact info for submitting feedback.
• Any other helpful resources.

This means if USPS plans something big – like altering delivery standards nationwide or restructuring sorting operations – you're supposed to get clear information posted locally, plus a chance to weigh in.

Reading Between the Lines: Timelines and 'Significant' Changes

The goal here is clearly enhanced public awareness and accountability. Knowing about changes before they happen gives people and businesses time to adjust and provides a formal channel for feedback through the PRC and public comments. However, the bill leaves a couple of terms open to interpretation. What constitutes a "reasonable timeframe" for notifying the PRC isn't defined, nor is the threshold for a "significant impact" that triggers these requirements. This ambiguity could potentially lead to debates about whether certain changes require this level of notification, or how far in advance notice is truly needed. For the Postal Service itself, these new steps add an administrative layer to implementing nationwide changes, requiring more formal planning and public engagement resources.