[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 163 (Thursday, August 22, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54397-54399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21461]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Simplified Address Format for Letter-Size and Flat-Size Standard 
Mail and Periodicals

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposal would amend some of the standards and 
identification procedures for Standard Mail and Periodicals letter-size 
and flat-size mail using the simplified address format as provided in 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) A040.4.0. This proposal would improve the 
processing and distribution of such mail and would also clarify and 
expand the standards for identifying this mail that does not bear a 
specific delivery address.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Mail 
Preparation and Standards, Postal Service Headquarters, 1735 N Lynn 
Street, Suite 3025, Arlington, Virginia 22209-6038. Copies of all 
written comments will be available for inspection and photocopying 
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Postal Service 
Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, 
Washington, DC. Comments may also be submitted via fax to 703-292-4058, 
ATTN: O.B. Akinwole.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OB Akinwole at (703) 292-3643.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Some mailers elect to use the simplified 
form of address for their mass mailings. Simplified address is an 
alternate-addressing format that allows mailers to prepare mailpieces 
without using individual names and addresses within very specific 
requirements. Instead of using individual addresses, the mailpieces are 
simply addressed as ``Postal Customer'' (or a similar designation as 
permitted). Eligibility to use the simplified address format is 
determined by the type of route selected for distribution, and in some 
instances by the type of mailer, as follows:
     Rural Routes, Highway Contract Routes, and Post Office 
Boxes. Any mailer may use simplified address format for the 
distribution of mail to rural routes, highway contract routes, and Post 
Office boxes at offices without city carrier service. Distribution of 
such mail is made to each boxholder on a rural route or highway 
contract route, each family on a rural route or highway contract route 
(at any Post Office), or all Post Office boxholders at a Post Office 
without city carrier service.
     City Routes and Post Office Boxes. Only certain authorized 
governmental entities may use the simplified address format for the 
distribution of mail to city routes or to Post Office boxes at Post 
Offices with city carrier service. Authorized governmental entities 
include U.S. Congress and Federal Government agencies or state, county, 
or municipal governments, and the governments of the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any U.S. territory or 
possession listed in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) G010.

[[Page 54398]]

Distribution of such mail must be made to each stop or possible 
delivery on city carrier routes, or to each Post Office box at Post 
Offices with city carrier service.
    Under this proposal, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) A040 would be 
revised to clarify the preparation requirements for letters and flats 
that use the simplified address format. Additionally, all congressional 
mailings using the simplified address format would use PS Tag 11, 
Congressional Mail, ``Postmaster--Open and Distribute'' on all 
containers to ensure appropriate handling through downstream postal 
processes. This tag, which would help identify congressional mail as it 
moves through the mailstream, would be firmly attached to the mailing 
container.
    These proposed clarifications are a result of recommendations and 
suggestions from mailers and Postal Service personnel. The proposal 
would ensure that customer expectations for accurate processing and 
timely delivery are met. This would be achieved by clarifying and 
reinforcing procedures that would increase the identification of 
containers used in preparation of this type of mail. The Postal Service 
and mailers who use this mail format believe that clarifying and 
reinforcing the preparation and container labeling requirements would 
enable more accurate processing of the mail. It would also help 
maintain the integrity of mail using the simplified address format and 
prevent potential service breakdowns that may occur when such mail is 
inadvertently separated from the container identifying its destination 
as a result of inadequate preparation and container labeling. These 
discrepancies can cause unnecessary delays during postal handling and 
may increase postal processing costs.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites comments on 
the following proposed revisions to the DMM, incorporated by reference 
in the Code of Federal Regulations (See 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, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Amend Domestic Mail Manual A040, E200, and M200 as follows:

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

A  Addressing

A000  Basic Addressing

* * * * *

A040  Alternative Addressing Formats

1.0  SIMPLIFIED ADDRESS
* * * * *

1.2  Use--City Routes, P.O. Boxholders

    [Revise 1.2 by deleting the last sentence in the first paragraph 
and replacing it with the following sentence:]
    * * * The following also applies: * * *
* * * * *

1.3  Mail Preparation

    [Revise 1.3 as follows:]
    All pieces must be prepared in carrier route or 5-digit carrier 
route or carrier routes containers; 3-digit carrier route or carrier 
routes containers are not allowed. All flat-size pieces must be 
prepared in carrier route or 5-digit carrier sacks. All pieces for the 
same carrier route must be tied in packages of 50, so far as 
practicable, and each package must bear a facing slip showing desired 
distribution (e.g., 5-digit ZIP Code and route number). If the pieces 
are tied in quantities other than 50 each, the actual number must be 
shown on the facing slip. Delivery statistics for routes may be 
obtained as described in A930. Pieces in such mailings must also meet 
the following standards:
    a. All pieces must be in the same processing category.
    b. Pieces must be marked according to M012.
    c. Letter-size pieces must be prepared in trays, and flat-size 
pieces must be prepared in sacks under M220 or M620, as applicable.
    d. If selective distribution is desired, enough pieces must be 
presented to cover the route or routes selected.
    [Delete 1.4. Redesignate 1.5, 1.6, and 1.7 as 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6, 
respectively.]
* * * * *
4.0  CONGRESSIONAL FRANK
* * * * *
    [Redesignate current 4.3 and 4.4 as 4.4 and 4.5, and add new 4.3 to 
read as follows:]

4.3  Mail Preparation

    Mailers must prepare containers of mail using the simplified 
address format in the manner listed below:
    a. Containers of congressional frank mailpieces using the 
simplified address format must be prepared under A040.
    b. PS Tag 11, Congressional Mail, ``Postmaster--Open and 
Distribute'' must be securely affixed to each sack or tray of 
congressional mail to ensure adequate identification of the mail. On 
trays, the tag must be affixed to the end that bears the tray label.
    [Redesignate current 4.3 and 4.4 as 4.4 and 4.5, and add new 4.3 to 
read as follows:]
* * * * *

E  Eligibility

* * * * *

E200  Periodicals

E230  Carrier Route Rates

* * * * *
3.0  WALK-SEQUENCE DISCOUNTS
* * * * *

3.3  Addressing Standards

    [Revise 3.3b as follows:]
    b. Official matter, whether mailed under congressional frank or by 
certain government entities for delivery on a city route, may use the 
appropriate simplified address format described in A040.
* * * * *

M  Mail Preparation and Sortation

* * * * *

M200  Periodicals (Nonautomation)

* * * * *

M220  Carrier Route Rates

1.0  BASIC INFORMATION

1.1  General Preparation Standards

    [Add new item h to read as follows:]
    * * * h. Pieces with a simplified address must meet the 
corresponding preparation standards in A040 and the eligibility 
standards in E215.
* * * * *
    [Revise the heading of 3.0 to read as follows:]
3.0  PREPARATION (LETTER-SIZE PIECES)
    [Designate 3.0 as 3.1 and add new 3.2 to read as follows:]

3.2  Tray Line 2 for Pieces With Simplified Address

    For trays that contain letter-size pieces with a simplified address 
prepared under A040, use ``MAN'' on Line 2 in place of ``BC.''
* * * * *

[[Page 54399]]

    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. 02-21461 Filed 8-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P