On October 27, 2011, the Department of Labor (DOL) published updated procedures for filing and processing ERISA prohibited transaction exemption (PTE) applications, applicable to all applications filed on or after December 27, 2011. The update primarily:

-- Consolidates in a single regulation guidance on the exemption procedure previously published in a 1988 technical release, a regulation adopted in 1990, and a 1995 publication;

-- Permits greater use of electronic means for submitting information and comments on pending PTE applications; and

-- Authorizes DOL to require an applicant to include in its “notice to interested parties” a summary of an individual PTE tentatively approved by DOL.