diff --git a/src/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.js b/src/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.js
index 8df8f38a..733aa9e8 100644
--- a/src/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.js
+++ b/src/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.js
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@ const ResultFormatter = require("../process_results/result_formatter");
  * Chain of responsibility action for formatting processed analytics data
  */
 class FormatProcessedAnalyticsData extends Action {
+  /**
+   * @param {import('../report_processing_context')} context the context for the
+   * action chain.
+   * @returns {boolean} true if the application config is set to format
+   * processed analytics data.
+   */
+  handles(context) {
+    return context.appConfig.formats.length > 0;
+  }
+
   /**
    * Takes the processed analytics data from the context and changes the format
    * to JSON or CSV based on application and report config options. Writes the
diff --git a/test/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.test.js b/test/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.test.js
index 0dbe7386..465db03c 100644
--- a/test/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.test.js
+++ b/test/actions/format_processed_analytics_data.test.js
@@ -14,6 +14,36 @@ describe("FormatProcessedAnalyticsData", () => {
   let context;
   let subject;
 
+  describe(".handles", () => {
+    beforeEach(() => {
+      subject = new FormatProcessedAnalyticsData();
+    });
+
+    describe("when appConfig.formats has values", () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        context = {
+          appConfig: { formats: ["json"] },
+        };
+      });
+
+      it("returns true", () => {
+        expect(subject.handles(context)).to.equal(true);
+      });
+    });
+
+    describe("when appConfig.formats does not have values", () => {
+      beforeEach(() => {
+        context = {
+          appConfig: { formats: [] },
+        };
+      });
+
+      it("returns false", () => {
+        expect(subject.handles(context)).to.equal(false);
+      });
+    });
+  });
+
   describe(".executeStrategy", () => {
     const debugLogSpy = sinon.spy();