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Procedural rules that affect only the operations of an agency and not the rights or interests of individuals do not need to engage in notice-and-comment rulemaking. Such rules pertain to the conduct of the agency's business, like filing deadlines or hearing rules.

Agencies are allowed to incorporate material by reference without going through the notice-and-comment procedure, provided that the materials are publicly available and their incorporation won't disadvantage the public. This can include technical standards or industry guidelines.

An agency can forgo the notice-and-comment period if it finds that it would be 'impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest'. This is often used in situations requiring urgency or where public input is not likely to result in any new perspectives.

General statements of policy, which outline the agency's plans for exercising its discretionary powers, do not require notice and comment. This exception allows agencies to announce how they will approach enforcement or policymaking without being bound to a specific rule.

Rules relating solely to the agency's organization, procedure, or practice, or its internal personnel rules, do not require notice and comment. These rules typically do not directly affect the public but are more about internal agency management and policies.

This exception allows agencies to waive the notice-and-comment procedures when rules involve military or foreign affairs functions. It's based on the need for national security and the conduct of foreign relations to remain flexible and responsive to changing circumstances.

Interpretative rules, which merely clarify or explain existing law or regulations, do not need to undergo the notice-and-comment process. However, they must not change the substantive rights or obligations that fall under the law.