[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 705-706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-134]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 501


Authorization to Manufacturer and Distribute Postage Meters

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule clarifies and enhances cautionary label markings 
required by Postal Service regulation to be placed on all postage 
meters to provide meter users with basic reminders on leasing, meter 
movement, and misuse. It also removes the obsolete requirement for the 
placement of a barcode label containing representation of meter serial 
numbers.
    The meter manufacturer must promptly develop and implement a plan 
to change out the labels on existing meters leased or rented, including 
rebuilding, manufacturing, servicing, and inspection programs to 
expedite application of the new label. These plans must be approved by 
the Postage Technology Management office.

DATES: This rule is effective January 5, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Wilkerson, manager of Postage 
Technology Management, at 1735 N. Lynn Street, Rosslyn, VA 22209 or by 
telephone at 703-292-3691 or fax at 703-292-4073.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
Part 501.23, Distribution Controls, section (r) requires postage meter 
manufacturers to affix a cautionary label to all postage meters to 
provide meter users with basic reminders on leasing, meter movement, 
and misuse. Further, section (r)(1) illustrates specific markings to be 
placed on cautionary labels. Experience with inadvertent use of the 
U.S. Postal Inspection Service telephone number to obtain general 
information has led to the need to clarify the label in order to 
emphasize manufacturer information and enhance direction to the 
customer. Section (2) currently requires a barcode label that is no 
longer relevant as a Postal Service requirement because of technology 
advances. The Postal Service has determined to remove the barcode label 
as an explicit requirement and leave it to the manufacturers' 
discretion depending on independent use of the barcode label.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 501

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

The Amendment

0
For the reasons set out in this document, the Postal Service is 
amending 39 CFR part 501 as follows:

PART 501--AUTHORIZATION TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE POSTAGE 
METERS

0
1. The authority citation for Part 501 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 410, 
2601, 2605; Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (Pub. L. 
95'452, as amended); 5 U.S.C. App. 3.

0
2. Revise Sec.  501.23(r) to read as follows:


Sec.  501.23  Distribution controls.

* * * * *
    (r) Affix to all meters a cautionary label providing the meter user 
with basic reminders on leasing and meter movement.
    (1) The cautionary label must be placed on all meters in a 
conspicuous and highly visible location. ``PROPERTY OF [NAME OF 
MANUFACTURER]'' as well as the manufacturer's toll-free number must be 
emphasized by capitalized bold type and preferably printed in red. The 
minimum width of the label should be 3.25 inches, and the minimum 
height should be 1.75 inches. The label should read as follows:

RENTED POSTAGE METER--NOT FOR SALE

PROPERTY OF [NAME OF MANUFACTURER]

(800) -

    Use of this meter is permissible only under U.S. Postal Service 
authorization. Call [Name of Manufacturer] at (800) 
-  to 
relocate/return this meter.
    WARNING! METER TAMPERING IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE.
    IF YOU SUSPECT METER TAMPERING, CALL POSTAL INSPECTORS AT 1-800-
372-8347
    REWARD UP TO $50,000 for information leading to the conviction 
of any person who misuses postage meters resulting in the Postal 
Service not receiving correct postage payments.

    (2) Exceptions to the formatting of required labeling are 
determined on a case-by-case basis. Any deviation from standardized 
meter labeling

[[Page 706]]

requirements must be approved in writing by the Postal Service.
* * * * *

Neva Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 05-134 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-U