(a) If the presiding officer concludes that no issues of fact are presented by the direct testimony submitted, the presiding officer shall publish such conclusion and notice in the Federal Register that a hearing shall not be held and shall also publish a date for filing written comments on the proposed regulations. Written comments may include proposed findings and conclusions, arguments or briefs.

(b) A person need not be a party to submit any written comments.

(c) Promptly after expiration of the period for receiving written comments, the presiding officer shall make a recommended decision based on the record, which in this case shall consist of the direct testimony and written comments submitted. He shall transfer to the Assistant Administrator his recommended decision, the record and a certificate stating that the record contains all the written direct testimony and comments submitted. The Assistant Administrator shall then make a final decision in accordance with these regulations (§228.21).