[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 88 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 25321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10154]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Permissible Barcode Symbology for Parcels Eligible for the 
Barcode Discount

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are amending the information published in the Federal 
Register on July 14, 1998 [63 FR 37946], that announced new 
requirements for Package Services parcels eligible for the barcode 
discount. The barcode discount was extended to Standard Mail[reg] 
machinable parcels in the Federal Register on December 15, 2000 [65 FR 
78537] that announced the R2000-1 rate case. The standards implementing 
the new requirements were subsequently published in Postal Bulletin 
22122 (2-19-04, pages 6-8). The Postal Bulletin notice allowed for the 
optional use of the human-readable presentation of the ZIP Code 
TM. This final rule modifies the standards to now require 
mailers to include the human-readable equivalent of the ZIP Code with 
all barcodes.

DATES: Effective May 6, 2004. Submit comments on or before May 20, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, 
Attn: Obataiye B. Akinwole, U.S. Postal Service, 1735 N Lynn Street, 
Room 3025, Arlington, VA 22209-6038. Written comments may be submitted 
also by facsimile transmission to (703) 292-4058. 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, 11th Floor North, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 14, 1998, the Postal Service 
published in the Federal Register [63 FR 37946] a final rule setting 
forth Domestic Mail Manual (DMM ) standards for Package Services 
barcodes. The DMM standards were subsequently published in Postal 
Bulletin 22122 (2-19-04, pages 6-8). Under the previous rule, the 
human-readable equivalent of the ZIP Code information was optional. 
Under the new rule, mailers are required to include the human-readable 
equivalent of the ZIP Code information to be eligible for the barcode 
discount. No other changes are made to the standards in DMM C850.
    Using the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology will benefit mailers 
in a number of ways:
     Increased accuracy and improved service--reduces manual 
processing of parcels.
     Variable length--compact, accurate, and reliable.
     Easy data capture capabilities--international 
availability.
    In order to reduce the looping of mail in processing, this rule 
requires the printing of the applicable AI and ZIP Code or ZIP+4[reg] 
code whenever a barcode is printed.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

0
For the reasons noted above, the Postal Service adopts the following 
changes to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is incorporated by reference 
in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). See 39 CFR part 111.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
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.


0
2. Revise the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as follows:

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

C Characteristics and Content

* * * * *

C800 Automation-Compatible Mail

* * * * *

C850 Barcoding Standards for Parcels

* * * * *
2.0 Barcode Characteristics
* * * * *

2.5 Human-Readable Information

    The human-readable information on the barcode must conform to one 
of the following options:
    [Revise item a to read as follows:]
    a. If the barcode is printed on the delivery address label and in 
close proximity to the address, the human-readable equivalent of the 
ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code (omitting the AI ``420'') encoded in the barcode 
preceded by the word ``ZIP'' must be printed between \1/8\ inch and \1/
2\ inch below the barcode in 10-point or larger bold, sans serif type. 
This standard applies to barcodes printed under 1.1 or 1.2a, 1.2b, and 
1.3.
* * * * *
    [Revise item c to read as follows:]
    c. For barcodes printed under 1.2 or 1.3, the human-readable 
presentation of the concatenated barcode must include the AI ``91'' and 
the full tracking identification number as text, the AI ``420,'' and 
the ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. The AI ``420'' and ZIP Code information 
must be parsed separately from the main body of the barcode text (e.g., 
420 99999 9101 2345 6789 1234 5678).
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 04-10154 Filed 5-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P