[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 143 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43989-43991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18996]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Merchandise Return Service Label Changes

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes revisions to the Domestic Mail 
Manual that would require a Postal routing barcode on all Merchandise 
Return Service labels.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mail 
Preparation and Standards, U. S. Postal Service, 1735 N. Lynn Street, 
Room 3025, Arlington, VA 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, 11 Floor N, Washington, DC 20260. Comments may 
be submitted via fax to 703-292-4058, ATTN: Obataiye B. Akinwole or via 
email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Obataiye B. Akinwole, (703) 292-3643.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under current Postal Service standards, there is no requirement for 
barcodes on Merchandise Return Service (MRS) labels with the exception 
of those using Delivery Confirmation Service.
    The Postal Service is concerned that optimum service may not be 
realized when MRS labels are not barcoded. As a result, the Postal 
Service will, upon publication of a final rule, require a Postal 
routing barcode that represents the correct 5-digit ZIP Code 
information for the delivery address of the MRS label. This is in line 
with the Postal Service's obligation to ensure prompt, efficient 
service for all product lines.

Effective Date

    The Postal Service is proposing that the following revisions become 
effective January 5, 2004. Mailers are permitted to prepare labels 
under the revised standards immediately upon publication of the final 
rule. Effective with required compliance on June 2, 2005 nonbarcoded 
labels will not be accepted.

Proposed Changes

    Under this proposal, all MRS labels must include a properly 
prepared barcode that represents the correct ZIP Code information for 
the delivery address on the MRS label plus the appropriate verifier 
character suffix or application identifier prefix characters 
appropriate for the barcode symbology as described in Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM) C850 for machinable parcels. Effective January 10, 2004, 
only the UCC/EAN Code 128 symbology may be used for all parcel 
barcodes. All mailable hazardous materials sent at First-Class Mail, 
Priority Mail, or Express rates are exempt from this standard.
    The Postal Service is replacing the Small Parcel and Bundle Sorter 
(SPBS) with the new Automated Parcel Processing System (APPS). The APPS 
machine is capable of processing small parcels that would normally by 
pass Bulk Mail Center (BMC) operations, at more than twice the 
efficiency of the SBPS machine. This machine is capable of reading a 
variety of barcode symbologies. As a result, customers distributing 
labels for parcels that will bypass the BMC environment must use the 
standards in this notice.
    Mailers using Delivery Confirmation Service (DelCon) must use a 
single concatenated barcode that combines the postal routing code and 
Delivery Confirmation using the symbologies in DMM C850. Delivery 
Confirmation Service is not mandatory; however, customers using the 
service option must use the label format in this notice.
    Mailers will be required to submit 10 samples of new labels to the 
office where the permit was originally issued no later than the next 
anniversary date of the permit, or within six months of the effective 
date of this notice, whichever occurs last. Although customers will not 
be required to provide samples when MRS labels are reprinted, it is 
recommended that they work with their local office to ensure pieces 
meet postal standards.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S. C. of 553 (b), (c)] regarding 
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites 
public comment of the following proposed revisions to the DMM, 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 
CFR 111.1.

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 sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 
as set forth below:

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

S Special Services

S900 Special Postal Services

* * * * *

S920 Convenience

* * * * *

S923 Merchandise Return Service

* * * * *
5.0 FORMAT
* * * * *

5.6 Format Elements

* * * * *
[Add new item j to read as follows:]
    j. Every MRS label must include a properly prepared barcode that 
represents the correct ZIP Code

[[Page 43990]]

information for the delivery address on the label plus the appropriate 
verifier character suffix or application identifier prefix characters 
appropriate for the barcode symbology as described in C850 for 
machinable parcels. MRS labels with Delivery Confirmation items must 
use a single concatenated barcode as described in C850. In addition to 
the barcode requirements in C850, the following requirement must be met 
in preparing MRS labels:
    (1) Barcode Location. If a separate label is used, a minimum clear 
zone of \1/8\ inch must be maintained on all sides of the barcode. If a 
barcoded label is used it must be placed either above the delivery 
address and to the right of the return address or to the left of the 
delivery address. In all cases the barcode must be placed on the 
address side and not overlap any adjacent item. The barcode must be 
parallel to the address as read.
* * * * *

Exhibit 5.6a Merchandise Return Label With No Special Services or With 
Insurance, Special Handling, or Pickup Service (see 5.6d)

[Revise Exhibit 5.6a as follows:]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25JY03.016

* * * * *
[Add new Exhibit 5.6e to read as follows:]
    Exhibit5.6e Merchandise Return Label With a Single Concatenated 
Barcode

[[Page 43991]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25JY03.017

* * * * *
    We will publish appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 11.3 to reflect the 
changes if the proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 03-18996 Filed 7-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P