[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 149 (Wednesday, August 2, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 47362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19576]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Invalid Ancillary Service Endorsements

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the Domestic Mail Manual to 
eliminate the transitional provisions for the handling of mail bearing 
invalid ancillary service endorsements. Under the proposal, the Postal 
Service may reject mail bearing invalid endorsements. Items bearing 
invalid or conflicting ancillary service endorsements that are found in 
the mailstream will be treated as unendorsed mail.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the 
Manager, Delivery Policies and Programs, U.S. Postal Service, 475 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 7142, Washington, DC 20260-2802. 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. 
Comments may not be submitted via fax or email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Estes, 202-268-3543.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 1997, the Postal Service simplified 
the endorsements for requesting ancillary services by eliminating the 
existing endorsements and substituting four choices: Address Service 
Requested, Change Service Requested, Forwarding Service Requested, and 
Return Service Requested (including Temp--Return Service Requested, for 
use with First-Class Mail only).
    As a transitional accommodation to mailers with stationery bearing 
the former endorsements, the Postal Service adopted Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM) F030.1.2 to provide for the handling of mail bearing 
invalid endorsements. This mail was to be accepted and handled in 
accordance with a current valid endorsement, based on the expectations 
implied by the improper endorsement on the mail.
    In view of the length of time since the adoption of the current 
endorsements, and to reduce the risk of confusion and error created by 
conflicting and obsolete endorsements, the Postal Service considers it 
appropriate to eliminate the transitional provision. Accordingly, it 
proposes to revise DMM F030.1.2 to provide ancillary services only in 
accordance with the valid endorsements shown in DMM F010. Mail bearing 
invalid or conflicting ancillary service endorsements will no longer be 
considered acceptable for mailing, and the Postal Service may refuse to 
accept this mail. If mail bearing invalid or conflicting endorsements 
is discovered in the mailstream, it will be handled as unendorsed mail. 
In the case of Standard Mail (B), ``treatment as unendorsed mail'' 
effectively means that it will be treated as if endorsed ``Forwarding 
Service Requested.'' This provision recognizes that the general public 
(in contrast with business mailers) is unfamiliar with ancillary 
service endorsements, and ensures its packages will be delivered or 
returned.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (39 U.S.C 410 (a)), the Postal Service 
invites comments on the following proposed revisions to 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

    Administrative practice and procedure, 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, 414, 
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Revise the following section of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
as follows:

F  Forwarding and Related Services

F000  Basic Services

* * * * *

F030  Address Correction, Address Change, FASTforward, and Return 
Services

1.0  ADDRESS CORRECTION SERVICE
* * * * *
1.2  Invalid Endorsement
    Any obsolete ancillary service endorsement or similar sender 
endorsement not shown in F010 is considered invalid for address update 
service purposes. Material bearing invalid or conflicting ancillary 
service endorsements will not be accepted for mailing. If discovered in 
the mailstream, mail bearing an invalid ancillary service endorsement 
or conflicting endorsements is treated as unendorsed mail. Exception: 
Standard Mail (B) pieces that are unendorsed, or that bear invalid or 
conflicting ancillary service endorsements and are undeliverable, will 
be treated as if endorsed ``Forwarding Service Requested.''
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these 
changes will be published if the proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-19576 Filed 8-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-U