[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 34 (Friday, February 20, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7887-7888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3657]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Machinable Parcel Testing Changes

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes revisions to the Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM) that would centralize the processing of requests for 
parcel testing. Such testing is requested to determine if the parcels 
can be successfully processed on bulk mail center (BMC) parcel sorters 
when they do not conform to the general machinability criteria in the 
DMM. Under this proposal parcel testing would no longer be performed by 
the BMC manager. It would be performed by the Manager, BMC Operations, 
USPS Headquarters.

DATES: Submit comments on or before March 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing 
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. Comments may be 
submitted via fax to 703-292-4058, ATTN: Obataiye B. Akinwole or via e-
mail to [email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under current Postal Service standards, a mailer may submit a 
request for testing of parcels to a destinating BMC plant manager. The 
BMC plant manager may authorize the mailer to enter such parcels as 
machinable parcels rather than as irregular parcels if the parcels are 
tested on BMC parcel sorters and determined by the manager to be 
machinable. The parcels must be properly labeled,

[[Page 7888]]

entered at a post office within the service area of the authorizing 
BMC, and bear delivery addresses located within the service area of the 
authorizing BMC.
    The Postal Service maintains that system-wide consistency would be 
achieved if exception requests are processed at one central location 
rather than at each BMC. This change is in line with the Postal 
Service's obligation to ensure prompt, efficient, reliable responses to 
customer needs.

Proposed Changes

    This proposal would revise the DMM standards for testing parcels 
that do not conform to the general machinability criteria for 
machinable parcels. Under this proposal, mailers would send requests 
for testing to the manager, BMC Operations, USPS Headquarters for a 
determination of machinability. The procedure for testing parcels would 
ensure that customer expectations of consistency across postal 
operations are met. The procedure also would remove the processing of 
requests for testing from BMCs and enable BMC Operations at USPS 
Headquarters to ensure that test results are consistent.
    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 on 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.

C Characteristics and Content

C000 General Information

C010 General Mailability Standards

* * * * *

[Delete 7.0, Mailing Test Packages.]

* * * * *

C050 Mail Processing Categories

* * * * *
4.0 MACHINABLE PARCEL
* * * * *

4.3 Exception

[Revise 4.3 to read as follows:]

    Some parcels may be successfully processed on BMC parcel sorters 
even though they do not conform to the general machinability criteria 
in 4.1. The manager, BMC Operations, USPS Headquarters (see G043 for 
address) may authorize a mailer to enter such parcels as machinable 
parcels rather than irregular parcels if the parcels are tested on BMC 
parcel sorters and prove to be machinable. Mailers who wish to have 
parcels tested for machinability on USPS parcel sorting machines must:
    a. Submit a written request to BMC Operations. The request must 
list mailpiece characteristics for every shape, weight, and size to be 
considered. If the letter requesting testing describes a mailpiece that 
falls within the specifications of pieces that were tested previously, 
they will not be tested.
    b. Describe mailpiece construction, parcel weight(s), estimated 
number of parcels to be mailed in the coming year, and preparation 
level (e.g., destination BMC pallets).
    c. Send 100 samples to the test facility designated by the manager, 
BMC Operations at least 6 weeks prior to the first mailing date. The 
manager, BMC Operations will recommend changes, to ensure 
machinability, for parcels that do not qualify.
* * * * *
6.0 OUTSIDE PARCEL (NONMACHINABLE)

[Revise the first sentence to read as follows:]

    An outside parcel is a parcel that exceeds any of the maximum 
dimensions for a machinable parcel. * * *
* * * * *

G General Information

G000 The USPS and Mailing Standards

* * * * *

G040 Information Resources

* * * * *

G043 Address List for Correspondence

[Add the following address:]

BMC OPERATIONS, US POSTAL SERVICE,E 475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 7631, 
WASHINGTON DC 20260-2806.
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect the changes if the proposal is adopted.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 04-3657 Filed 2-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-M