[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 165 (Wednesday, August 26, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45440-45443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22937]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Specifications for Automated Flats
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Proposed Rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The flat sorting machine (FSM) 1000 is capable of processing
mailpieces that cannot be processed on the FSM 881. FSM 1000 machines
are being retrofitted with barcode readers. Mailpieces that currently
do not qualify for automation flat rates will be eligible for the
automation flat rates if their pieces meet the size and other criteria
for processing on the FSM 1000 as described below, are prepared with
correct ZIP+4 or delivery point barcodes, and meet other preparation
requirements.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 16, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mail
Preparation and Standards, USPS Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW,
Room 6800, Washington DC 20260-2405.
Copies of all written comments will be available for inspection and
photocopying at USPS Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th
Floor N, Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen A. Magazino, (202) 268-3854.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 4, 1998, the USPS plans to extend
the automation flats rates to pieces prepared as automated flats that
meet the physical mailpiece requirements for the FSM 1000 flat sorting
machine.
Deployment of 340 FSM 1000s is near completion in major processing
and distribution centers nationwide. Barcode reader deployment for the
FSM 1000s will be completed by February 1999. Newspapers, tabloids,
heavier magazines, catalogs, and many kinds of polywrap that cannot be
processed on existing FSM 881 equipment can be processed on FSM 1000
equipment and will now be able to qualify for automation discounts.
Newspapers and tabloids must have two folds; the second fold must be
perpendicular to the original fold.
Testing has shown that larger pieces can be processed on FSM 1000
machines. Separate size, weight, and thickness dimensions for mail that
can be processed on the FSM 1000 will be added to the eligibility
criteria for automation flat rates in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C820.
The FSM 1000 can process a piece up to 12 inches high by 15\3/4\ inches
in length. For the FSM 1000, the length is the longest edge except that
for pieces that are folded or have a bound edge, the dimension parallel
to the folded or bound edge is the length. (This is different than the
definitions of length and height for mailpieces processed on FSM 881s,
for which the dimension parallel to the folded or bound edge is the
height.) The dimensions for folded pieces or pieces with a bound edge
processed on the FSM 1000 increase 3\3/4\ inches in length (i.e., the
bound edge) but decrease 3 inches in height (i.e., the edge
perpendicular to the bound edge). The minimum dimensions for all flats
processed on the FSM 1000 is 4 inches height by 4 inches length
provided the mailpiece is thicker than \1/4\ inch. Mailpieces up to 5
inches in length must be at least \1/4\ inch thick. The minimum
thickness for pieces 5 inches or more in length is 0.009 inch thick.
Testing of flat mailpieces demonstrated that as the length of the
piece decreases the thickness may increase. The maximum thickness
requirements for the FSM 1000 mail are 1.25 inches if the mailpiece is
13 inches long or less. Flats longer than 13 inches up to 15\3/4\
inches cannot exceed \7/8\ inch thick. Test results showed that pieces
within these dimensions meet the flexibility criteria for the FSM 1000;
therefore, specifications for FSM 1000 pieces do not contain separate
flexibility rules.
The maximum weight for First-Class mail pieces processed on the FSM
1000 will be 11 ounces (13 ounces after rate case implementation,
January 10, 1999), up to 16 ounces for Standard Mail A, and 6 pounds
for Periodicals.
For pieces processed on the FSM 1000 the correct and properly
prepared POSTNET barcode must be placed at least \1/8\ inch from any
edge of the mailpiece however, since there has been a demonstrated
``slump'' on certain mailpieces we strongly recommend at least 2 inches
from the dimension that is the length (the longest edge or, if bound or
folded, the bound or folded edge).
For pieces processed on the FSM 1000 barcode requirements found in
C840.4.0, C840.5.0 and C840.6.0 still apply.
Pieces to be processed on the FSM 1000 may be prepared with
polywrap under the guidelines specified in Postal Bulletin 21940 (2-27-
97), except that only physical property number 2, haze, will be
required for pieces to be processed on the FSM 1000. Pieces prepared
with FSM 1000 approved polywrap must bear a separate marking from
pieces prepared with FSM 881 approved polywrap to indicate the flat
sorting machine for which the polywrap was approved. Mailers will be
given a 6 month grace period to begin using the new polywrap markings
that specify whether it is FSM 881 approved or FSM 1000 approved.
Although the Postal Service is extending the discount to pieces
that can be processed on FSM 1000 equipment, it does not wish to
encourage mailers to prepare pieces in a manner that would cause them
to migrate from the more productive FSM 881 machines to processing on
the FSM 1000 machines. In addition to productivity concerns, a large
migration could also cause equipment capacity problems. Therefore, the
Postal Service is proposing that in order to qualify for the automation
flats rates, mailpieces that meet the current automation flat
[[Page 45441]]
height, length, thickness, and weight dimensions applicable to the FSM
881 machines under DMM C820.2.0 must continue to meet the current
specifications for turning ability and deflection (current DMM
C820.5.0, proposed DMM C820.6.0), and if prepared with polywrap,
continue to meet all the polywrap criteria in Postal Bulletin 21940 (2-
27-97) including physical properties 1 through 7.
When presorting mail for the automation flat-size rates, pieces
meeting the FSM 881 dimensions must be prepared in separate packages
from pieces that meet the FSM 1000 dimensions. When preparing packages
of pieces meeting the dimensions for the FSM 881, mailers may combine
pieces of non-identical weights provided appropriate postage payment
methods are used. Likewise, within a package of pieces meeting the
dimensions for the FSM 1000, mailers may combine pieces of non-
identical weights provided appropriate postage payment methods are
used. Separate package minimums must be met for each type of package
(i.e., 10 pieces per package for First-Class and Standard Mail (A) and
6 pieces per package for Periodicals). This will allow packages of mail
to be sorted to the appropriate flats processing equipment at sack or
tray opening units and at pallet breakdown operations. Both types of
automation flats packages (FSM 881 and FSM 1000 packages) may be placed
in the same tray (First-Class) or in the same sack (Periodicals and
Standard Mail (A)). For Periodicals and Standard Mail (A) both types of
automation flats packages (FSM 881 and FSM 1000 packages) may be placed
on the same pallet.
In addition, for Periodicals sacked mail, FSM 881 and FSM 1000
packages may be combined with nonautomation packages in 3-digit, SCF,
ADC, and mixed ADC sacks and/or pallets. Periodicals automation flats
packages must be placed in separate 5-digit sacks from Periodicals
nonautomation packages. First-Class and Standard Mail (A) mailings,
automation rate mail must continue to be separately trayed (First-
Class) or sacked (Standard Mail (A)) or palletized from nonautomation
rate mail.
Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 401(a), the Postal Service
invites comments on the following proposed revisions of the Domestic
Mail Manual, incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal
Regulations. See 39 CFR Part 111.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Postal Service.
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. Amend the Domestic Mail Manual as set forth below:
C CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTENT
C800 Automation-Compatible Mail
* * * * *
C820 Flats
[Amend 1.0 by changing the term ``7.0'' to ``8.0'' and adding
additional standards for FSM 881 and FSM 1000 pieces to read as
follows:]
1.0 BASIC STANDARDS
Flats claimed at automation rates must meet the standards in 1.0
through 8.0 and the general and specific standards for mailability and
the class of mail and rate claimed. Pieces meeting the dimensions for
FSM 881 processing under 2.0 (height, length, thickness and weight)
must also meet the turning ability and deflection requirements in 6.0
in order to qualify for the automation flats discount. If polywrap is
used with pieces meeting the dimensions under 2.0, the polywrap must
meet all of the physical properties in Exhibit 4.1a in order to qualify
for the automation flats discount. Pieces that do not meet the
dimensions for height, length, thickness and weight under 2.0 (FSM 881
pieces), but that meet the dimensions in 3.0 are designated as FSM 1000
pieces. Such FSM 1000 pieces need not meet the turning ability and
deflection requirements in 6.0 and, if prepared with polywrap, the
polywrap must only meet physical property number 2 in Exhibit 4.1a.
[Amend the heading of 2.0 to read as follows.]
2.0 DIMENSIONS FOR FSM 881 PROCESSING
* * * * *
[Delete the second sentence of section 2.3 b(2).]
* * * * *
[Redesignate 3.0 through 7.0 as 5.0 through 9.0, respectively. Insert
new 3.0 and 4.0 to read as follows.]
3.0 DIMENSIONS FOR FSM 1000 PROCESSING
3.1 Determining Length and Height
The length and height of an automation compatible flat-size
mailpiece is not determined by the orientation of the address. Instead,
for this standard:
a. For a piece prepared as a single sheet or in an envelope, full
length wrapper, or full-length sleeve, the length is the longest
dimension. The height is the dimension perpendicular to the length.
b. For a piece that has a bound or folded edge ( e.g., a newspaper,
tabloid, heavier magazine and catalog), the length is the dimension
parallel to the bound or folded edge. The height is the dimension
perpendicular to the length. If the piece is folded more than once or
bound and then folded, the length of the mailpiece is based on the
final fold.
3.2 Final Fold
A flat-size piece with a final fold must be designed so that the
address is in view when the final folded edge is to the right and any
intermediate bound or folded edge is at the bottom.
3.3 Shape and Size
Pieces must meet the following requirements:
a. Height: no more than 12 inches or less than 4 inches high.
b. Length: no more than 15\3/4\ inches or less than 4 inches long.
c. Minimum Thickness:
(1) Pieces at least 5 inches long, 0.009 inch thick.
(2) Pieces at least 4 inches long, but less than 5 inches long,
0.25 inch thick.
d. Maximum thickness:
(1) Pieces 13 inches long or less, the maximum thickness is 1.25
inches thick.
(2) Pieces longer than 13 inches up to and including 15\3/4\ inches
the maximum thickness is \7/8\ inch thick.
3.4 Maximum Weight
Maximum weight limits are as follows:
a. For First-Class Mail, 11 ounces (13 ounces as of January 10,
1999).
b. For Periodicals, 6 pounds.
c. For Standard Mail (A), less than 16 ounces.
4.0 COVERINGS
4.1 Polywrap Films
The Postal Service will allow plastic manufacturers to use the
results of their American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM) product tests
to certify that the polywrap films meet or exceed the minimum
requirements for the physical properties outlined in Exhibit 4.1a and
Exhibit 4.1b
[[Page 45442]]
USPS Polywrapped Flats Mailing Specifications for FSM 881
Exhibit 4.1a--Physical Properties
Automation flat pieces that meet the height, length, thickness, and
weight dimensions for the FSM 881 in 2.0 must meet all seven properties
on this table. Automation flat pieces that do not meet the height,
length, thickness, or weight dimensions in 2.0, but meet the dimensions
for the FSM 1000 in 3.0, may be prepared with polywrap that only meets
property number 2, haze.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property Requirement Test method Comment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Kinetic Coefficient of Friction, <0.28.................... astm="" stainless="" steel="" finish="" md.="" d1894="" must="" be="" in="" accordance="" with="" astm="" a="" 480/a="" 480m.="" a.="" film="" on="" stainless="" steel="" with="" no.="" 8="" (mirror)="" finish="" b.="" film="" on="" film......................="" 0.20="" to="" 0.40.............="" astm="" d1894="" 2.="" haze..............................=""><70...................... astm="" address="" labels="" are="" an="" d1003="" alternative="" to="" meeting="" this="" requirement.="" 3.="" secant="" modulus,="" 1%="" elongation="" a.="">40,000.................. ASTM
TD, psi. D882
b. MD, psi........................... >50,000.................. ASTM
D882
4. Tensile Strength TD, psi.......... >2,000................... ASTM
D882
MD, psi.............................. >3,000................... ASTM
D882
5. Density, g/cc..................... 0.900 to 0.950........... ASTM
D1505
6. Nominal Gauge, in................. >0.001................... ASTM
D374
7. Static Charge, kv................. <2.0..................... astm="" antistatic="" additives="" d4470="" can="" regulate="" this="" charge.="" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------="" exhibit="" 4.1b--configuration="" requirement="" wrap="" instruction="" 1.="" the="" polywrapped="" flat="" shall="" be="" machinable="" according="" to="" usps-std-="" 28a="" and="" as="" outlined="" in="" dmm="" 53="" section="" c820="" flats.="" shrink="" wrapped="" mailpieces="" shall="" be="" approved="" if="" they="" conform="" to="" the="" machinable="" flat="" requirements="" according="" to="" usps-std-28a="" and="" as="" outlined="" in="" dmm53="" section="" c820="" flats.="" 2.="" wrap="" direction="" shall="" be="" specified="" as="" around="" the="" shorter="" axis="" of="" the="" mailpiece="" so="" that="" the="" seam="" is="" along="" the="" addressed="" side="" of="" the="" mailpiece,="" oriented="" from="" top="" to="" bottom.="" this="" seam="" must="" not="" cover="" any="" part="" of="" the="" address="" and="" barcode="" read="" areas.="" 3.="" overhang="" of="" not="" more="" than="" 1.5="" inches="" of="" polywrap="" shall="" be="" allowed="" at="" the="" top="" of="" the="" mailpiece="" when="" the="" contents="" are="" shaken="" down="" to="" the="" bottom="" of="" the="" package.="" overhang="" on="" the="" sides="" shall="" not="" be="" more="" than="" 0.25="" inch,="" however,="" the="" piece="" shall="" not="" be="" wrapped="" so="" tightly="" as="" to="" deform="" the="" product.="" 4.2="" polywrap="" certification="" process="" the="" polywrap="" certification="" program="" requires="" plastic="" manufacturers="" to="" obtain="" and="" provide="" an="" official="" certification="" of="" conformance="" from="" astm="" that="" their="" polywrap="" material="" meets="" the="" usps="" polywrap="" flats="" mailing="" specifications="" described="" in="" exhibit="" 4.1a="" and="" exhibit="" 4.1b.="" prior="" to="" their="" initial="" mailing,="" mailers="" must="" submit="" for="" evaluation="" barcoded="" sample="" pieces="" that="" meet="" both="" applicable="" dmm="" mailing="" standards="" for="" automated="" flats="" and="" the="" minimum="" standards="" for="" polywrapped="" flats.="" mailpiece="" design="" analysts="" (mdas)="" must="" authorize="" a="" mailer="" to="" claim="" the="" automation="" rates="" for="" flats="" for="" any="" flat-size="" barcoded="" piece="" prepared="" in="" a="" polywrap="" film="" that="" has="" been="" independently="" certified="" if="" the="" prepared="" mailpiece="" meets="" all="" other="" mail="" preparation="" standards="" for="" polywrapped="" flats="" such="" as="" overhang,="" seam,="" static="" and="" barcode="" readability.="" local="" business="" mail="" entry="" units="" are="" to="" notify="" the="" mda="" of="" any="" barcoded,="" polywrapped="" mailing="" submitted,="" claiming="" automation="" rates="" for="" flats="" that="" does="" not="" meet="" the="" wrapping="" requirements="" for="" polywrapped="" pieces.="" 4.3="" submission="" of="" samples="" for="" evaluation="" a="" mailer="" who="" wishes="" to="" have="" sample="" pieces="" reviewed="" for="" authorization="" must="" submit="" samples="" to="" the="" manager,="" business="" mail="" entry="" for="" review="" by="" an="" mda.="" each="" sample="" submitted="" must="" consist="" of="" at="" least="" 30="" polywrapped="" barcoded="" sample="" mailpieces="" with="" a="" certification="" of="" compliance="" that="" the="" polywrap="" material="" meets="" the="" physical="" property="" specifications="" in="" table="" 1="" and="" table="" 2,="" for="" the="" fsm="" 881="" mailpieces="" and="" the="" fsm="" 1000="" mailpieces.="" 4.4="" mailpiece="" identification="" once="" approved="" for="" entry="" at="" the="" automation="" rates="" for="" flats,="" a="" mailing="" must="" be="" endorsed="" to="" show="" that="" it="" is="" an="" automation-compatible="" polywrapped="" flat-size="" piece.="" the="" mailer="" may="" meet="" this="" requirement="" by="" adding="" ``usps="" (company="" name="" of="" vendor)="" fsm="" 881="" approved="" automatable="" polywrap''="" or="" ``usps="" (company="" name="" of="" vendor)="" fsm="" 1000="" approved="" automatable="" polywrap,''="" as="" applicable,="" on="" the="" address="" side="" of="" the="" piece,="" preferably="" below="" the="" postage="" area="" or="" in="" another="" visible="" location="" on="" the="" outside="" of="" the="" mailpiece.="" the="" polywrap="" endorsement="" may="" also="" be="" printed="" directly="" on="" the="" polywrap="" material.="" other="" locations="" for="" the="" endorsement="" and="" abbreviation="" for="" the="" company="" name="" are="" acceptable="" if="" approved="" by="" the="" mda.="" mailer's="" not="" currently="" using="" the="" appropriate="" mailpiece="" identification="" marking="" will="" have="" until="" april="" 4,="" 1999,="" to="" comply.="" 4.5="" suspension="" of="" approval="" any="" mailing="" found="" to="" be="" improperly="" prepared="" will="" not="" be="" accepted="" at="" the="" automation="" rates="" for="" flats.="" the="" repeated="" submission="" of="" non-="" machinable="" mailings="" is="" cause="" for="" exclusion="" from="" the="" polywrap="" flat="" automation="" rates.="" [delete="" renumbered="" 5.1.="" renumber="" 5.2="" and="" 5.3="" as="" 5.1="" and="" 5.2.]="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" 6.0="" tabs,="" wafer="" seals,="" tape,="" and="" glue="" [amend="" the="" first="" sentence="" in="" renumbered="" 5.0="" to="" clarify="" that="" tabs,="" [[page="" 45443]]="" seals,="" tape="" and="" glue="" are="" not="" required,="" to="" read="" as="" follows.]="" although="" not="" required,="" mailpieces="" may="" be="" prepared="" with="" tabs,="" wafer="" seals,="" cellophane="" tape,="" or="" permanent="" glue="" (continuous="" or="" spot)="" if="" these="" sealing="" devices="" do="" not="" interfere="" with="" the="" recognition="" of="" the="" barcode,="" rate="" marking,="" postage="" information,="" and="" delivery="" and="" return="" addresses.="" 7.0="" turning="" ability="" and="" deflection="" 7.1="" turning="" ability="" [amend="" renumbered="" 6.1="" by="" adding="" ``881''="" to="" read="" as="" follows:]="" a="" flat-size="" mailpiece="" meeting="" the="" fsm="" 881="" dimensions="" in="" 2.0="" must="" fit="" between="" two="" concentric="" arcs="" drawn="" on="" a="" horizontal="" flat="" surface,="" one="" with="" a="" radius="" of="" 15.72="" inches="" and="" the="" other="" with="" a="" radius="" of="" 16.72="" inches="" in="" one="" of="" these="" ways:="" 7.2="" deflection="" [renumber="" exhibit="" 5.2="" as="" exhibit="" 6.2;="" amend="" renumbered="" 6.2="" by="" adding="" ``881''="" to="" read="" as="" follows:]="" a="" flat-size="" mailpiece="" meeting="" the="" fsm="" 881="" dimensions="" in="" 2.0="" must="" be="" rigid="" enough="" so="" that,="" when="" placed="" flat="" on="" a="" surface="" to="" extend="" unsupported="" 5="" inches="" off="" that="" surface,="" no="" part="" of="" the="" edge="" of="" the="" piece="" that="" is="" opposite="" the="" bound,="" folded,="" or="" final="" folded="" edge="" (as="" applicable)="" deflects="" more="" than="" 1\3/4\="" inches="" (if="" the="" piece="" is="" less="" than="" \1/8\="" inch="" thick)="" or="" more="" than="" 2\3/8\="" inches="" (if="" the="" piece="" is="" from="" \1/="" 8\="" to="" \3/4\="" inch="" thick).="" see="" exhibit="" 6.2.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" c840="" barcoding="" standards="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" 3.0="" barcode="" location--flat-size="" piece="" [revise="" 3.0="" to="" read="" as="" follows:]="" on="" any="" flat-size="" piece="" claimed="" at="" an="" automation="" rate="" the="" barcode="" may="" be="" anywhere="" on="" the="" address="" side="" that="" is="" at="" least="" \1/8\="" inch="" from="" any="" edge="" of="" the="" piece.="" for="" fsm="" 1000="" pieces,="" is="" it="" preferred="" that="" the="" barcode="" be="" placed="" at="" least="" 2="" inches="" from="" the="" dimension="" that="" is="" the="" length="" for="" that="" type="" of="" automation="" piece="" (the="" longest="" edge,="" or="" for="" pieces="" with="" a="" folded="" or="" bound="" edge,="" the="" folded="" or="" bound="" edge).="" that="" portion="" of="" the="" surface="" of="" the="" piece="" on="" which="" the="" barcode="" is="" printed="" must="" meet="" the="" reflectance="" standards="" in="" 5.0.="" the="" address="" side="" may="" bear="" only="" one="" postnet-format="" barcode="" (i.e.,="" the="" correct="" barcode="" for="" the="" delivery="" address="" on="" the="" mailpiece).="" other="" mailer-applied="" non-postnet="" barcodes="" may="" appear="" on="" the="" address="" side="" if="" their="" format="" is="" not="" intelligible="" or="" not="" confusing="" to="" automated="" postal="" equipment.="" address="" block="" barcodes="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" standards="" in="" 2.5a="" through="" 2.5e.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" m820="" flat-size="" mail="" 1.0="" basic="" standards="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" [revise="" the="" second="" sentence="" of="" 1.5="" to="" read="" as="" follows:]="" 1.5="" package="" preparation="" all="" pieces="" must="" be="" prepared="" in="" packages.="" firm="" packages="" must="" not="" be="" included="" in="" mailings="" prepared="" under="" m820.="" pieces="" meeting="" the="" size="" dimensions="" for="" the="" fsm="" 881="" under="" c820.2.0="" must="" be="" prepared="" in="" separate="" packages="" from="" pieces="" that="" do="" not="" meet="" the="" fsm="" 881="" dimensions="" (but="" that="" meet="" the="" dimensions="" for="" fsm="" 1000="" processing).="" each="" fsm="" 881="" package="" and="" each="" fsm="" 1000="" package="" must="" separately="" meet="" the="" package="" size="" minimum="" number="" of="" pieces="" in="" 2.1,="" 3.1,="" or="" 4.1="" as="" applicable="" for="" the="" class="" of="" mail.="" when="" the="" total="" number="" of="" fsm="" 881="" or="" fsm="" 1000="" pieces="" for="" a="" specific="" presort="" destination="" (e.g.,="" the="" 5-digit="" zip="" code="" 12345)="" meets="" or="" exceeds="" the="" applicable="" minimum="" package="" size,="" the="" pieces="" for="" that="" presort="" destination="" must="" be="" banded="" into="" a="" package="" or="" packages="" labeled="" to="" that="" presort="" destination="" in="" accordance="" with="" the="" standards="" for="" the="" rate="" claimed.="" the="" physical="" size="" of="" each="" package="" for="" that="" specific="" presort="" destination="" may="" contain="" the="" exact="" package="" minimum,="" more="" pieces="" than="" the="" package="" minimum,="" or="" fewer="" pieces="" than="" the="" package="" minimum="" depending="" on="" the="" size="" of="" the="" pieces="" in="" the="" mailing="" or="" the="" total="" quantity="" of="" the="" pieces="" to="" that="" destination.="" rate="" eligibility="" is="" not="" affected="" when="" a="" physical="" package="" for="" a="" presort="" destination="" contains="" fewer="" pieces="" than="" the="" minimum="" package="" size="" for="" the="" above="" reasons,="" provided="" the="" total="" number="" of="" fsm="" 881="" pieces="" physically="" packaged="" for="" that="" presort="" destination,="" or="" provided="" the="" total="" number="" of="" fsm="" 1000="" pieces="" physically="" packaged="" for="" that="" presort="" destination,="" meets="" or="" exceeds="" the="" rate="" eligibility="" package="" minimum="" under="" e140,="" e240,="" or="" e640.="" [renumber="" 1.6="" and="" 1.7="" as="" 1.7="" and="" 1.8,="" respectively,="" and="" insert="" new="" 1.6="" to="" read="" as="" follows.]="" 1.6="" sack="" preparation="" mailers="" may="" combine="" fsm="" 881="" packages="" and="" fsm="" 1000="" packages="" in="" the="" same="" tray="" (first-class="" mail)="" or="" in="" the="" same="" sack="" (standard="" mail="" (a)="" and="" periodicals).="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" [amend="" the="" heading="" of="" renumbered="" 1.8="" to="" read="" ``exception--periodicals="" packages.'']="" [insert="" new="" 1.9="" to="" read="" as="" follows.]="" 1.9="" exception--periodicals="" automation="" and="" nonautomation="" for="" periodicals,="" packages="" of="" automation="" mail="" (both="" fsm="" 881="" and="" fsm="" 1000="" packages)="" prepared="" under="" 3.1="" and="" packages="" of="" nonautomation="" mail="" prepared="" under="" m200.2.4="" c-f="" may="" be="" sacked="" together="" under="" 3.2="" d-e="" and="" 3.3.="" automation="" and="" nonautomation="" packages="" may="" not="" be="" combined="" in="" 5-="" digit="" sacks.="" under="" this="" exception,="" documentation="" required="" under="" p012="" must="" identify="" the="" mail="" claimed="" at="" each="" rate="" by="" package="" and="" sack="" sortation="" level.="" under="" this="" exception,="" nonautomation="" mail="" continues="" to="" qualify="" for="" rates="" under="" e230="" and="" automation="" mail="" continues="" to="" qualify="" for="" rates="" under="" e="" 240="" (i.e.,="" rates="" for="" pieces="" in="" automation="" flats="" packages="" are="" based="" on="" the="" package="" level="" and="" rates="" for="" pieces="" in="" nonautomation="" flats="" packages="" are="" based="" on="" the="" package="" and="" sack="" level).="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" an="" appropriate="" amendment="" to="" 39="" cfr="" 111.3="" to="" reflect="" these="" changes="" will="" be="" published="" if="" the="" proposal="" is="" adopted.="" stanley="" f.="" mires,="" chief="" counsel,="" legislative.="" [fr="" doc.="" 98-22937="" filed="" 8-25-98;="" 8:45="" am]="" billing="" code="" 7710-12-p="">