[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.)   
                                                                        
                                  *****                                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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