[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 245 (Thursday, December 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31396]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 22, 1994]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Revisions to Weight and Preparation Standards for Barcoded Letter
Mail
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) standards
concerning the maximum weight of an automation-compatible barcoded
letter-size mailpiece. Subject to additional preparation requirements,
certain barcoded mailpieces weighing more than 3 ounces will be
acceptable at Barcoded rates for a trial period of up to 1 year.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 16, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony M. Pajunas, (202) 268-3669.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 14, 1994, the Postal Service
published for public comment in the Federal Register (59 FR 35873-
35875) a proposed rule to amend the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
standards for the physical characteristics of automation-compatible
barcoded letter-size mail. For a period of up to 1 year, the Postal
Service proposed to conduct a live test of barcoded bulk third-class
regular rate letter mail weighing between 3.0 and 3.3067 ounces, and
First-, second-, and bulk third-class nonprofit rate letter mail
weighing between 3.0 and 3.3363 ounces.
Although the Postal Service believes that this mail can benefit
from barcoding (as the means of moving this mail into an automated
processing environment), it also believes that this benefit can be
achieved only under specific standards governing the construction and
preparation of this ``heavy letter mail.'' Thus, the proposed new
standards required that each ``heavy letter'' mailpiece comply with the
following:
(1) Be part of a mailing that is 100 percent delivery point
barcoded.
(2) Have the barcode in the address block.
(3) Be in an envelope that has no open windows.
(4) Not be bound or have stiff enclosures.
The Postal Service proposed to set the maximum weight for Barcoded
rate letter-size mailpieces at 3.3363 ounces (or 3.3067 ounces for
pieces mailed at regular bulk third-class rates), the break points
between the bulk third-class minimum per-piece rates and the two-part
piece/pound rates then in effect. (These values increase to 3.3376 and
3.3071 ounces, respectively, when R94 rates are implemented on January
1, 1995. The increased values are used in the text and DMM revisions
appearing below.) If the maximum weight were set at 3.3 ounces, a small
amount of letter-size minimum per-piece mail would be excluded from the
rates otherwise available to letter mail. For simplicity and
consistency, the maximum weight for First- and second-class barcoded
letter mail was also proposed to be set at 3.3376 ounces. For regular
bulk third-class rate only, the maximum is set at 3.3071 ounces, which
is its ``break point.'' If the proposed test or changes in the ``break
point'' indicate that this alignment is not in the best interest of the
Postal Service, the maximum weight will be adjusted accordingly.
The Postal Service received 14 comments on the proposed rule,
including three from mailing industry trade associations, one from a
mailing-related business, and 10 from companies and corporations. The
specific topics covered in those comments are discussed below.
Consideration of Letter Mail Heavier Than 3.0 Ounces for Automation
Rates
All 14 commenters expressed support for the Postal Service's
efforts to conduct live tests of barcoded letters weighing between 3.0
and 3.3376 ounces (or 3.3071 ounces for third-class regular rate mail).
One commenter encouraged consideration for a much higher weight
limit. The Postal Service believes that for the heavy letter-mail test
period, the maximum weight should be limited to 3.3376 ounces. Previous
controlled tests conducted by the Postal Service revealed that
increased problems (such as damage, jams, and throughput) arose or
worsened with mail heavier than 3.3376 ounces.
Another commenter (a mailing company) supported the Postal
Service's effort but expressed doubts that presort service bureaus
would accept address-block barcoded heavy letter mail to run through
their automated equipment because of possible machine jams, lowered
machine throughput, and the requirement for 100 percent delivery point
barcoding. Participation in this test is voluntary. Although the Postal
Service realizes that some companies will be unable to participate, it
does not believe that the objectives of the test can be served if the
test criteria are altered. The Postal Service believes that it will be
able, under the requirements adopted by this rule, to obtain sufficient
participation to conduct a valid test.
Requirement for Enveloped Mailpieces
Two comments were received opposing the proposed standard that all
heavy letter mail be in envelopes. One commenter thought that the heavy
letter mail tests should be conducted using mailpieces constructed
under current standards and encouraged the use of tabbed catalogs
during the trial period. One commenter recommended the inclusion of
self-mailers.
The Postal Service believes that only enveloped mail should be
tested as part of this trial and that the proposed restriction on self-
mailers and on bound or booklet-type mail should remain. The
preliminary tests were performed only on enveloped mailpieces that were
heavier than 3.0 ounces and not on tabbed catalogs. The Postal Service
has recently tested tabbed catalogs weighing 3.3 ounces on its
automated equipment and found that such pieces caused equipment jams
and were more susceptible to damage. As a result, the Postal Service
believes that it is prudent to proceed to test only enveloped mail.
Accordingly, that portion of the proposed rule that specified only
enveloped mail would be eligible for the test will be retained in the
final rule.
In allowing only enveloped mail in the proposed test, the Postal
Service is seeking to evaluate the performance of heavy letter mail
having the best opportunity for successful automated processing,
insofar as that can be predicted by physical criteria. Accordingly, in
addition to retaining its focus on enveloped mail, the Postal Service
also wishes to point out that by including heavy letter mail in the
general category of automation-compatible mail for the test period, it
is expecting that this mail will be prepared in trays, as is currently
the case for other automation-compatible letter mail. Although the
proposed rule did not explicitly discuss this point, the Postal Service
finds it appropriate to emphasize this point in the final rule as a
logical corollary to the temporary transfer of heavy letter mail into
the automation-compatible category.
Restriction of Open-Windowed Envelopes
Four comments were received opposing the standard that heavy letter
mail not be in envelopes with open windows.
The Postal Service has conducted tests in which preliminary results
indicate that open windows on mailpieces above 3.0 ounces have a
greater tendency to snag on automated processing equipment. The Postal
Service is also concerned about damage to the heavy letter mailpieces
with open windows and other mail that might be adjacent to it during
automated processing. Thus, the Postal Service has determined to retain
the proposed prohibition of open-windowed envelopes in the final rule.
100% Delivery Point Barcode Requirement
Nine comments were received opposing the standard that mailings of
heavy letter pieces be 100 percent delivery point barcoded. Eight
commenters stated that 100 percent delivery point barcoding would
discourage or inhibit them from participating in the test and requested
that barcoding levels be set at the 85 percent level now generally
applicable to Barcoded rate letter mailings.
Seven commenters stated that 100 percent delivery point barcoding
would require splitting their mailings into two streams--one delivery
point barcoded stream and one not. Several commenters stated that
splitting the mail into two such streams would negate the benefits of
the automation rate. One commenter stated that his company already
splits the mail into two streams and meets the 100 percent requirement.
Four commenters stated that no major mailer today has been able to
ZIP+4 code 100 percent of its mailing.
The Postal Service believes that the requirement for 100 percent
delivery point barcoding of all heavy letter mail is necessary. As part
of an effort to get a barcode on all mail, the Postal Service routinely
processes on an optical character reader (OCR) all mailpieces rejected
from barcode sorters in an effort to read the delivery address and
print a barcode in the lower right corner of the mailpiece. However,
heavy letter mail will not run through OCRs; attempts to process and
barcode such mail on an OCR revealed that significant damage occurred
to the heavy letter pieces and that any barcodes printed in the barcode
clear zone by the OCR were often unreadable. (The increased thickness
caused the bottom edges of the heavy letter mail envelopes to be
rounded and to buckle when bent. Because of the curvature and irregular
surface created by the rounding and buckling of the heavy mailpiece,
barcodes printed in the lower right corner of such mailpieces by the
OCR were outside the working specifications of postal barcode readers
and, as a result, useless for automated processing.)
The additional OCR processing of non-delivery point barcoded heavy
letter mail, the labor to repair damaged pieces, and the ensuing manual
or mechanized handling of that mail amount to unreasonable additional
costs for the Postal Service, well beyond that appropriate for Barcoded
rate mail. As a result, the proposed rule's provisions for a 100
percent delivery point barcoded mailstream for heavy letter mail will
be retained in the final rule.
Follow Current Postal Requirements for Heavy Letter Mail
Six commenters stated that the heavy letter mail trial period
should be run using the current standards for automation rate mail and
that no additional constraints should be imposed.
The Postal Service believes that modification of the current
standards for automation-compatible mail are necessary based on the
results of controlled tests already performed on heavy letter mail as
previously described. If appropriate additional standards are not
imposed on heavy letter mail, consistent with the results of earlier
tests, the Postal Service believes that live mail testing will have no
chance for success and that greater customer dissatisfaction would
result than may occur with the heavy letter mail standards adopted by
this rule.
Barcode Window Placement
One commenter objected to extending the barcode window to the
bottom of the envelope.
The section referred to by the commenter applies only to lower
right corner barcode windows. The Postal Service does not intend to add
new standards to DMM C840.6.0, only to limit the use of lower right
corner barcode windows to mailpieces weighing 3.0 ounces or less.
Requirements for Identification of Test Mail
Before the Postal Service can determine whether a permanent
increase in the maximum weight for barcoded letter mail is appropriate,
it must determine whether the impact of heavy letter mail is
acceptable. Accurate evaluation of the test data will depend in part on
the Postal Service's ability to identify, measure, and monitor heavy
letter mail as it enters and moves through the mailstream. Accordingly,
test participants will be required to take specific measures to
identify heavy letter mail to enable the Postal Service to gather the
necessary data for this test. Although not specifically discussed in
the proposed rule, the importance of mail identification became evident
as the comments were being reviewed, and provisions requiring
identification are being introduced in the final rule as reasonable and
logical elements of the test process.
Specifically, the Postal Service will require that each container
of heavy mail be clearly identified when submitted by the mailer.
Pallets, general purpose mail containers, and other similar equipment
used to transport trays of heavy letter mail will require labels
(placards) bearing the words ``HEAVY LETTER MAIL'' in letters not less
than 1/2 inch high. These labels must be white or light-colored stock,
not smaller than 8 by 11 inches, and placed on two adjacent sides of
the pallet or other equipment. Each tray of heavy letter mail must also
be identified by a flag (similar to a separator card) clearly marked
``HEAVY LETTER MAIL'' and placed in front of the contents of the tray.
No marking will be required on the pieces of heavy letter mail
themselves other than as required by the class or rate claimed, or by
the postage payment method used.
Participants in the heavy letter mail test will also be asked to
provide documentation for any heavy letter mailing exceeding 100,000
pieces. Requested information includes the mailer's name and contact
person for test information, the mailing's contents (size, weight,
volume, level of presort, and proportion of heavy letter mail), and the
mailing's distribution (place(s) of mailing and destination ZIP Code
ranges). This information, which should be provided to the address
below at least 3 weeks before mailing, will allow the Postal Service
adequate time to conduct on-site evaluation and data collection for
test mail. Documentation of heavy letter mailings should be addressed
to: Manager Customer Mail Preparation, USPS Headquarters Rm 6912, 475
L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington DC 20260-6805.
If heavy letter mail is damaged in processing during this test
period, the mailer will be asked to recall the damaged pieces before
delivery (by completing Form 1509) to allow their examination for
evaluation of both the cause of the damage and possible remedies for
that cause.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Postal Service.
For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts
the following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39
CFR part 111).
PART 111--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Revise the Domestic Mail Manual as noted below:
C810 Letters and Cards
1.0 GENERAL DIMENSIONS
* * * * *
1.5 Barcoded
The weight of each piece in a Barcoded rate mailing must not exceed
3 ounces, except that until January 14, 1996, the maximum weight is
3.3376 ounces (or 3.3071 ounces if mailed at regular bulk third-class
rates).
1.6 Heavy Letter Mail
Heavy letter mail (pieces weighing more than 3 ounces) must be
prepared in an envelope and must meet the additional barcoding
standards in C840.
2.0 PROHIBITIONS
* * * * *
2.3 Heavy Letter Mail
Heavy letter mail (as defined in 1.6) may not be prepared as a
self-mailer or as a bound or booklet-type mailpiece.
* * * * *
C840 Barcoded Mailpieces
* * * * *
2.0 BARCODE LOCATION
* * * * *
2.2 Letter-Size Barcoded Rate Mailings
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Except for pieces subject to 2.3, pieces may bear a DPBC within
either the address block or the barcode clear zone in the lower right
corner of the address side. * * *
* * * * *
[Renumber existing 2.3 through 2.10 as 2.4 through 2.11,
respectively; add new 2.3, and revise renumbered 2.9, as follows:]
2.3 Heavy Letter Mail
Heavy letter mail (letter-size pieces weighing more than 3 ounces
up to the maximum weight for barcoded pieces) must bear a DPBC in the
address block, subject to 2.9.
* * * * *
2.9 Placement in Address Block
When the barcode is placed in the address block on cards or letter-
or flat-size mail:
* * * * *
[Replace the last sentence in renumbered 2.9d with the following:]
d. * * * Address block windows on heavy letter mail (as defined in
2.3) must be covered; such windows may be covered on other mail. Covers
for address block windows are subject to 6.3.
* * * * *
6.0 ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR WINDOWS (LETTER-SIZE MAIL)
* * * * *
6.2 Window Construction
Barcode windows must extend fully to the lower edge of the
envelopes, must be of wraparound construction, and must be covered
subject to 6.3.
6.3 Window Covers
Window covers must be of a nontinted clear or transparent material
(e.g., cellophane or polystyrene), the edges of which are securely
glued to the envelope, that permits the barcode and its background, as
viewed through the window material, to meet the reflectance standards
in 4.0.
* * * * *
E144 Barcoded Rate (Letters and Cards)
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.2 Rate Application
* * * * *
c. Meets the applicable standards in 1.3 through 1.8.
1.3 Barcode Window
A mailpiece weighing 3 ounces or less, meeting the standards in 1.1
and 1.2, but with a barcode window in the lower right corner, may be
eligible for Barcoded rates only if the correct delivery point barcode
appears through the window.
1.4 5-Digit Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, Barcoded rate mailings may include pieces with
correct 5-digit barcodes if those pieces meet the standards in 1.1 and
the standards for 5-digit barcodes in C840. * * *
1.5 ZIP+4 Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, Barcoded rate mailings may include pieces with
correct ZIP+4 barcodes if those pieces meet the standards in 1.1 and
the standards for ZIP+4 barcodes in C840. * * *
1.6 85% Rule
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, at least 85% of all pieces in a Barcoded rate
mailing (regardless of presort or rate) must bear the correct delivery
point barcode for the delivery address, as defined by the standards for
address quality and coding accuracy in A950. * * *
* * * * *
1.8 100% Barcoding
Each piece must bear the correct delivery point barcode:
a. In 5-digit trays in a tray-based mailing under M814.
b. In 5-digit packages in a package-based mailing under M815 or
M816.
c. In any mailing containing heavy letters (as defined in C810).
* * * * *
E244 Barcoded Discounts (Letter-Size Pieces)
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.2 Rate Application
* * * * *
c. Meets the applicable standards in 1.3 through 1.8.
* * * * *
1.3 Barcode Window
A mailpiece weighing 3 ounces or less, meeting the standards in 1.1
and 1.2, but with a barcode window in the lower right corner, may be
eligible for Barcoded rates only if the correct delivery point barcode
appears through the window.
1.4 5-Digit Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, Barcoded rate mailings may include pieces with
correct 5-digit barcodes if those pieces meet the standards in 1.1 and
the standards for 5-digit barcodes in C840. * * *
1.5 ZIP+4 Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, Barcoded rate mailings may include pieces with
correct ZIP+4 barcodes if those pieces meet the standards in 1.1 and
the standards for ZIP+4 barcodes in C840. * * *
1.6 85% Rule
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, at least 85% of all pieces in a Barcoded rate
mailing (regardless of presort or rate) must bear the correct delivery
point barcode for the delivery address, as defined by the standards for
address quality and coding accuracy in A950. * * *
* * * * *
1.8 100% Barcoding
Each piece must bear the correct delivery point barcode:
a. In 5-digit trays in a tray-based mailing under M814.
b. In 5-digit packages in a package-based mailing under M815 or
M816.
c. In any mailing containing heavy letters (as defined in C810).
* * * * *
E344 Barcoded Discounts (Letter-Size Pieces)
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.2 Rate Application
* * * * *
c. Meets the applicable standards in 1.3 through 1.8.
* * * * *
1.3 Barcode Window
A mailpiece weighing 3 ounces or less, meeting the standards in 1.1
and 1.2, but with a barcode window in the lower right corner, may be
eligible for Barcoded rates only if the correct delivery point barcode
appears through the window.
1.4 5-Digit Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, Barcoded rate mailings may include pieces with
correct 5-digit barcodes if those pieces meet the standards in 1.1 and
the standards for 5-digit barcodes in C840. * * *
1.5 ZIP+4 Barcodes
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, Barcoded rate mailings may include pieces with
correct ZIP+4 barcodes if those pieces meet the standards in 1.1 and
the standards for ZIP+4 barcodes in C840. * * *
1.6 85% Rule
[Revise the first sentence as follows:]
Subject to 1.8, at least 85% of all pieces in a Barcoded rate
mailing (regardless of presort or rate) must bear the correct delivery
point barcode for the delivery address, as defined by the standards for
address quality and coding accuracy in A950. * * *
* * * * *
1.8 100% Barcoding
Each piece must bear the correct delivery point barcode:
a. In 5-digit trays in a tray-based mailing under M814.
b. In 5-digit packages in a package-based mailing under M815 or
M816.
c. In any mailing containing heavy letters (as defined in C810).
* * * * *
M814 Barcoded--Tray-Based Mailings
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.9 Heavy Letter Mail
Each tray of heavy letter mail (as defined in C810) must be
identified by a flag (similar to a separator card) clearly marked
``HEAVY LETTER MAIL'' and placed in front of the contents of the tray.
Each pallet, general purpose mail container, or other equipment used to
transport trays of heavy letter mail must be labeled ``HEAVY LETTER
MAIL,'' in letters not less than 1/2 inch high on white or light-
colored stock not smaller than 8 by 11 inches, on two adjacent sides of
the pallet or other equipment.
* * * * *
M815 Barcoded--Two-Tier Package-Based Mailings
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.7 Heavy Letter Mail
Each tray of heavy letter mail (as defined in C810) must be
identified by a flag (similar to a separator card) clearly marked
``HEAVY LETTER MAIL'' and placed in front of the contents of the tray.
Each pallet, general purpose mail container, or other equipment used to
transport trays of heavy letter mail must be labeled ``HEAVY LETTER
MAIL,'' in letters not less than 1/2 inch high on white or light-
colored stock not smaller than 8 by 11 inches, on two adjacent sides of
the pallet or other equipment.
* * * * *
M816 Barcoded--Three-Tier Package-Based Mailings
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.7 Heavy Letter Mail
Each tray of heavy letter mail (as defined in C810) must be
identified by a flag (similar to a separator card) clearly marked
``HEAVY LETTER MAIL'' and placed in front of the contents of the tray.
Each pallet, general purpose mail container, or other equipment used to
transport trays of heavy letter mail must be labeled ``HEAVY LETTER
MAIL,'' in letters not less than 1/2 inch high on white or light-
colored stock not smaller than 8 by 11 inches, on two adjacent sides of
the pallet or other equipment.
* * * * *
R100 First-Class Mail
* * * * *
[Revise the Summary of First-Class Rates chart as follows:]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presorted 3-digit Presorted 5- digit
Weight not over (oz.) barcoded barcoded
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*****
4...................... $0.908 (Weight not to $0.902 (Weight not to
exceed 3.3376 oz.) exceed 3.3376 oz.)
*****
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A transmittal letter making these changes in the pages of the
Domestic Mail Manual will be published and transmitted to subscribers
automatically. Notice of issuance will be published in the Federal
Register as provided by 39 CFR 111.3.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 94-31396 Filed 12-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
