§  1.225   Participation by non-parties; consideration of communications.

   (a) Any person who wishes to appear and give evidence on any matter and
   who so advises the Secretary, will be notified by the Secretary if that
   matter is designated for hearing. In the case of requests bearing more
   than one signature, notice of hearing will be given to the person first
   signing unless the request indicates that such notice should be sent to
   someone other than such person.

   (b) No person shall be precluded from giving any relevant, material,
   and competent testimony at a hearing because he lacks a sufficient
   interest to justify his intervention as a party in the matter.

   (c) When a hearing is held, no communication will be considered in
   determining the merits of any matter unless it has been received into
   evidence. The admissibility of any communication shall be governed by
   the applicable rules of evidence, and no communication shall be
   admissible on the basis of a stipulation unless Commission counsel as
   well as counsel for all of the parties shall join in such stipulation.