[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13268-13269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2454]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Marking Requirement for Bound Printed Matter Machinable 
Parcels

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule adopts a new marking requirement for Bound 
Printed Matter (BPM) machinable parcels consisting of multiple pieces 
secured with transparent shrinkwrap. The new marking will enable our 
automated equipment to recognize that these BPM machinable parcels are 
intended for a single address. Under the new standards, mailers must 
use a firm optional endorsement line or apply a pressure-sensitive firm 
Label F. The new standards do not apply to BPM flats or irregular 
parcels.

DATES: Effective Date: July 6, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joel Walker, 202-268-7266.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Postal Service published a proposal in the Federal Register on 
December 27, 2005 (70 FR 76435), to require a firm optional endorsement 
line or a pressure-sensitive firm Label F on Bound Printed Matter 
machinable parcels consisting of multiple pieces secured with 
transparent shrinkwrap.

Summary of Comments

    We received two comments on the proposal, both from commercial 
mailers. Neither mailer opposed our proposal.
    One mailer suggested we clarify that the new marking requirement 
does not apply to all Bound Printed Matter (BPM) parcels. The new firm 
optional endorsement line (OEL) or pressure-sensitive label F 
requirement applies only to BPM machinable parcels consisting of 
multiple pieces secured with transparent shrinkwrap. A BPM parcel 
prepared with a cardboard box, for example, does not require a firm OEL 
or Label F.
    The other mailer recommended the requirement include Standard Mail 
machinable parcels consisting of multiple pieces secured with 
transparent shrinkwrap. We believe the volume of Standard Mail parcels 
with these characteristics is so low that it does not warrant a new 
marking requirement. Therefore, we will not extend the change to 
Standard Mail.
    We also received an informal request about the proposal via e-mail. 
The request asked whether the new standards will allow, as an option, 
the use of the firm OEL on a BPM parcel consisting of a single phone 
book enclosed in transparent shrinkwrap. While not required, mailers 
may use a firm OEL on BPM parcels consisting of a single piece, since 
in some cases the OEL can assist with the automated processing of 
single pieces in transparent shrinkwrap.
    Several customers have asked us if they may label according to the 
new standards immediately. The effective date of these changes is July 
6, 2006, but mailers are encouraged to comply as soon as possible.

Summary of Changes

    When a BPM machinable parcel consists of multiple pieces for a 
single address secured with transparent shrinkwrap, mailers must label 
the parcel using one of the following options:

[[Page 13269]]

     A firm optional endorsement line, followed by the 5-digit 
destination ZIP Code of the parcel.
     A blue, pressure-sensitive, barcoded Label F on the 
address side of the parcel.
    We provide the new standards, and how they are applied for Bound 
Printed Matter, below.
    We adopt the following amendments to Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (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.


0
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 111 is amended as follows:

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, 414, 
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:

400 Discount Mail Parcels

* * * * *

402 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

* * * * *
2.0 PLACEMENT AND CONTENT OF MARKINGS
* * * * *

2.2 Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail 
Markings

* * * * *
    [Renumber 2.2.5 and 2.2.6 as 2.2.6 and 2.2.7. Add new 2.2.5, as 
follows:]
2.2.5 Address and Firm Designation on Bound Printed Matter Machinable 
Parcels
    When a Bound Printed Matter machinable parcel consists of multiple 
pieces for a single address secured with transparent shrinkwrap, the 
delivery address information and barcoded pressure-sensitive Label F or 
firm optional endorsement line must be visible and readable by the 
naked eye. Mailers must label the parcel using one of the following 
options:
    a. A firm optional endorsement line under 708.7.0, followed by the 
5-digit destination ZIP Code of the parcel.
    b. A blue, pressure-sensitive, barcoded Label F on the address side 
of the parcel.
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

708 Technical Specifications

* * * * *
7.0 OPTIONAL ENDORSEMENT LINES (OELs)
* * * * *

7.1 OEL Use

* * * * *
Exhibit 7.1.1 OEL Formats
    [Revise Exhibit 7.1.1 by adding an OEL example for BPM parcels, as 
follows:]

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            Sortation level                        OEL Example
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Firm--BPM machinable parcels             ******** Firm 12345.
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* * * * *

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 06-2454 Filed 3-14-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P