(a) Except as otherwise required by the regulations in this subchapter, all documents and information sent to OWCP under this subchapter must be submitted—

(1) In hard copy by postal mail, commercial delivery service (such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service), or hand delivery;

(2) Electronically through an OWCP-authorized system; or

(3) As otherwise allowed by OWCP.

(b) Except as otherwise required by the regulations in this subchapter, all documents and information sent under this subchapter by OWCP to parties and their representatives or from any party or representative to another party or representative must be sent—

(1) In hard copy by postal mail, commercial delivery service (such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service), or hand delivery;

(2) Electronically by a reliable electronic method if the receiving party or representative agrees in writing to receive documents and information by that method; or

(3) Electronically through an OWCP-authorized system that provides service of documents on the parties and their representatives.

(c) Reliable electronic methods for delivering documents include, but are not limited to, email, facsimile and web portal.

(d) Any party or representative may revoke his or her agreement to receive documents and information electronically by giving written notice to OWCP, the party, or the representative with whom he or she had agreed to receive documents and information electronically, as appropriate.

(e) The provisions in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section apply when parties are directed by the regulations in this subchapter to: Advise; apply; approve; authorize; demand; file; forward; furnish; give; give notice; inform; issue; make; notice, notify; provide; publish; receive; recommend; refer; release; report; request; respond; return; send; serve; service; submit; or transmit.

(f) Any reference in this subchapter to an application, copy, filing, form, letter, written notice, or written request includes both hard-copy and electronic documents.

(g) Any requirement in this subchapter that a document or information be submitted in writing, or that it be signed, executed, or certified does not preclude its submission or exchange electronically.

(h) Any reference in this subchapter to transmitting information to an entity's address may include that entity's electronic address or electronic portal.

(i) Any requirement in this subchapter that a document or information—

(1) Be sent to a specific district director means that the document or information should be sent to the physical or electronic address provided by OWCP for that district director; and

(2) Be filed by a district director in his or her office means that the document or information may be filed in a physical or electronic location specified by OWCP for that district director.

[80 FR 12928, Mar. 12, 2015]