Understanding the Federal Register and its XML Renditions

The Federal Register serves as the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices from U.S. Federal agencies and organizations, including executive orders and presidential documents. While a traditional print and PDF version exists, an XML-based rendition is too available, though its legal standing differs. This article details the current status of the Federal Register, particularly its XML format, and clarifies where to find official, legally recognized versions.

What is the Federal Register?

Published by the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Federal Register is updated daily, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. GovInfo provides access to Federal Register issues dating back to 1936. It is the primary source for understanding new and changing federal regulations.

The XML Rendition: A Prototype

A “Web 2.0” version of the daily Federal Register is available, utilizing XML renditions of published documents. But, it’s crucial to understand that this XML version is currently a prototype and is not an official legal edition. FederalRegister.gov hosts these XML files, linking each to the official PDF version on govinfo.gov.

Legal Status and Official Versions

Until the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register (ACFR) issues a regulation granting it official legal status, the XML rendition does not provide legal notice to the public or judicial notice to the courts. For legal research, it is essential to verify information against the official print or electronic (PDF) version available on govinfo.gov. The OFR/GPO partnership aims to establish the XML-based Federal Register as an ACFR-sanctioned publication in the future, but it is not yet official.

Accessing and Downloading XML Data

The XML-structured files are derived from SGML-tagged data and printing codes, which may result in some display anomalies. Image files are also not currently included in the XML data. GovInfo offers bulk downloads of Federal Register XML files in zip format by year (volume) or month. For example, data is available for the years 2000 through 2006. The Federal Register in XML dataset is intended for public access, and use.

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Register is the official source for U.S. Federal regulations.
• An XML version exists but is currently a prototype and not legally binding.
• Always verify information against the official PDF version on govinfo.gov for legal purposes.
• Bulk XML downloads are available for historical data.