New Address and Barcode Requirements for Automation, Presorted, and Carrier Route Flat-Size Mail, 57507-57511 [E7-19932]
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rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 10, 2007 / Proposed Rules
Account (EMCA) customers as part of
the Postal Service’s ongoing mission to
help grow revenue in a competitive
market by increasing efficiencies,
enhancing financial controls, and
reducing costs.
Currently EMCA customers may use
one of the following payment methods
to fund their accounts:
a. Participate in the Centralized
Account Processing System (CAPS).
b. Use a personal or business credit
card.
c. Make an initial deposit with cash
or by check of $250, or the total postage
and fees expected during the first 4
weeks of account usage, whichever is
higher.
After the first 4 weeks, the minimum
balance in the account must equal an
average week’s postage and fees, or
$100, whichever is higher.
Under this proposal, cash and check
deposits would be eliminated and
customers would be provided with an
ACH payment method as a new option.
Effective December 1, 2007, new
EMCA customers would be required to
fund their accounts using one of the
following payment methods:
a. Use a personal or business credit or
debit card.
b. Authorize the USPS to originate an
ACH debit from a specified bank
account.
c. Participate in the Centralized
Account Processing System (CAPS)
debit only if combined with other
PostalOne accounts such as permit
imprint, Periodicals, business reply
mail, and Address Element Correction.
By using an electronic payment
option, customers will no longer have to
go to a Post OfficeTM to make deposits
into their EMCA trust accounts. This
new payment option enhances financial
control by reducing risk and eliminating
the administrative costs of pursuing
negative balance or delinquent EMCA
accounts.
Existing EMCA customers who
deposit cash and checks in local trust
accounts will be transitioned to
electronic payment methods during the
next year. Details of this effort will be
directly communicated to current
EMCA customers.
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
Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual,
incorporated in the Code of Federal
Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1, 111.4.
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List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
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, 416, 3001–3011, 3201–
3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Amend the following sections of
Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM) as set forth below:
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100
Retail Mail
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110
Express Mail
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114
Postage Payment Methods
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2.0
Corporate Accounts
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2.4 Minimum Balance
For opening and maintaining an
account, the mailer may do any of the
following: [Revise the text in items a, b,
and c as follows:]
a. Use a personal or business credit or
debit card.
b. Authorize the USPS to originate an
ACH debit from a specified bank
account.
c. Participate in the Centralized
Account Processing System (CAPS)
debit only if combined with other
PostalOne accounts such as permit
imprint, Periodicals, business reply
mail, and Address Element Correction.
An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR
part 111 to reflect these changes will be
published if the proposal is adopted.
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. E7–19934 Filed 10–9–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Address and Barcode
Requirements for Automation,
Presorted, and Carrier Route Flat-Size
Mail
Postal Service.
Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes
new address placement requirements for
Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound
Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library
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57507
Mail flat-size pieces sent at automation,
presorted, or carrier route rates. We also
propose to require an 11-digit POSTNET
barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode on
flat-size First-Class Mail, Periodicals,
Standard Mail, and Bound Printed
Matter sent at automation rates. In
addition, we propose related revisions
to the address requirements for
automation and presorted First-Class
Mail flats.
DATES: We must receive your comments
on or before December 10, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written
comments to the Manager, Mailing
Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475
L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Room 3436,
Washington, DC 20260–3436. You may
inspect and photocopy all written
comments at Postal Service
Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant
Plaza, SW., 11th Floor N, Washington,
DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Carrie Witt, 202–268–7279.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal
Service is implementing a new
technology, the Flats Sequencing
System (FSS), to automate delivery
sequencing for flat-size mail. Currently,
flat-size mail is sorted mechanically
only to the 9-digit ZIP Code or carrier
level, and then manually sorted into
delivery order by carriers. FSS can sort
flat-size mailpieces into delivery
sequence, increasing efficiency by
reducing carriers’ time sorting mail, and
allowing carriers to begin delivering
mail earlier in the day.
Similar technology boosted postal
efficiencies in processing and delivering
letter mail in the 1990s. We can
significantly increase efficiency and
reduce delivery costs for flat-size mail
with FSS technology. FSS can sequence
flat mail at a rate of approximately
16,500 pieces per hour. Scheduled to
operate 17 hours per day, each machine
will be capable of sequencing 280,500
mailpieces daily to more than 125,000
delivery addresses.
As we move toward national
deployment of FSS, we are working
closely with the mailing industry to
make the most of this investment and
achieve the lowest combined costs for
handling flat-size mail, including
developing new standards for optimal
addressing. Unlike letter mail, which is
fairly uniform in size and address
location, flat mail covers a broad range
of sizes and has highly variable address
placement. We need new mailing
standards for this diverse mailstream to
promote consistent addressing for all
flat-size pieces and ensure efficiency in
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rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
57508
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 10, 2007 / Proposed Rules
all flats processing and delivery
operations.
Toward this goal, we are proposing
new standards requiring mailers to use
an 11-digit POSTNET barcode or
Intelligent Mail barcode on all
automation rate First-Class Mail,
Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound
Printed Matter flat-size pieces. Mailers
must also place the address in the upper
portion of all Periodicals, Standard
Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media
Mail, and Library Mail flat-size pieces
mailed at automation, presorted, or
carrier route rates. Mailers may place
the address parallel or perpendicular to
the top edge, but not upside down as
read in relation to the top edge. For
bound or folded pieces not in envelopes
or polywrap, the ‘‘top’’ of the mailpiece
is the upper edge when the bound or
final folded edge is vertical and on the
right side of the piece. For enveloped or
polywrapped pieces, the ‘‘top’’ is either
of the shorter edges.
Mailers must address all presorted,
carrier route, and automation flat-size
mailpieces using a minimum of 8-point
type. In addition, for all automation
pieces, the lines and the characters in
the address must not touch or overlap,
and each element of the address line
may be separated by no more than three
blank character spaces.
The new standards will enable FSS to
process flat-size pieces in delivery
sequence at high speeds and reduce the
time carriers spend manually sorting
flat-size mail. The new standards further
increase efficiency by ensuring that
carriers need not reorient flat-size pieces
to read the address, whether the mail is
held, pulled from a mailbag, or removed
from a tray.
As we transition to the automated
flats processing environment, the
Intelligent Mail barcode provides
opportunities for mailers to save space
within the address block. For example,
mailers can include all tracking and
routing information and avoid
reproducing human-readable ACS codes
and keylines. In addition, to further
mitigate the larger type size
requirements, we are looking at ways to
shorten optional endorsement lines and
allow mailers to place mailer-specified
information (such as customer numbers)
to the left of the optional endorsement
line when OneCode ACS is used. We
may also be able to reduce the amount
of clear space required under the
Intelligent Mail barcode. We will
publish these changes in a future
revision. For other ways to reduce
address block size, refer to Publication
28, Postal Addressing Standards
(available on Postal Explorer at
pe.usps.com; click on ‘‘Address
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Jkt 214001
Quality’’ in the left frame, then
‘‘Address Management Publications’’).
Although we are exempt from the
notice and comment requirements of the
Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S.C.
553(b), (c)] regarding proposed
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we
invite public comments on the
following proposed revisions 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.
Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
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, 416, 3001–3011, 3201–
3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Revise the following sections of
Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), as follows:
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300
Discount Mail: Flats
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302 Elements on the Face of a
Mailpiece
1.0
*
All Mailpieces
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[Revise 1.2 as follows:]
1.2 Delivery Address
The delivery address specifies the
location to which the USPS is to deliver
a mailpiece. Except for mail prepared
with detached address labels under
602.4.0, the piece must have the address
of the intended recipient, visible and
legible, only on the side of the piece
bearing postage. Use at least 8-point
type (8-point type is approximately 1⁄10inch high). An Arial font is preferred.
Additional standards apply to presorted,
automation-compatible, and carrier
route rate flats mailed at First-Class
Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound
Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library
Mail rates (see 2.0).
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[Renumber 2.0 through 4.0 as 3.0
through 5.0. Insert new 2.0 as follows:]
2.0
Address Placement
2.1 Basic Standards
On all Periodicals, Standard Mail,
Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and
Library Mail flats mailed at presorted,
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automation, or carrier route rates,
mailers must place the address block at
least 1⁄8 inch from any edge of the
mailpiece. For the purposes of these
standards, the ‘‘address block’’ is
defined as the recipient’s name or other
identification; the company information
line; the street and number, and any
necessary secondary information; and
the city, state, and ZIP Code. The
address may appear on the front or the
back of the mailpiece (but must be on
the side bearing postage), parallel or
perpendicular to the top edge, but it
cannot be upside down as read in
relation to the top edge. See 2.2 for
additional standards for enveloped or
polywrapped pieces, and 2.3 for bound
or folded pieces not in envelopes or
polywrap.
2.2 Address Placement on Enveloped
or Polywrapped Pieces
The following standards apply to
enveloped or polywrapped Periodicals,
Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter,
Media Mail, and Library Mail flats
mailed at presorted, automation, or
carrier route rates:
a. The ‘‘top’’ of the mailpiece is either
of the shorter edges.
b. If the address is parallel to the top
edge, the entire address block must
appear within 3 inches of the top of the
mailpiece. If the address is
perpendicular to the top edge, one edge
of the address block (either the first or
last possible character) must be within
21⁄2 inches of the top of the mailpiece.
See Exhibit 2.3.
c. On all pieces, the address block
must be at least 1 inch closer to the top
than to the bottom of the piece.
d. When the address is placed on an
insert polywrapped with the host
piece,the insert must be secured to
maintain address placement throughout
processing and delivery.
2.3 Address Placement on Bound or
Folded Pieces
The following standards apply to
bound or folded Periodicals, Standard
Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media
Mail, and Library Mail flats mailed at
presorted, automation, or carrier route
rates not in envelopes or polywrap:
a. The ‘‘top’’ is the upper edge of the
mailpiece when the bound or final
folded edge is vertical and on the right
side of the piece. Exception: For Carrier
Route (or Enhanced Carrier Route)
saturation rate pieces, the ‘‘top’’ of the
mailpiece is either of the shorter edges.
b. If the address is parallel to the top
edge, the entire address block must
appear within 3 inches of the top of the
mailpiece. If the address is
perpendicular to the top edge, one edge
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 10, 2007 / Proposed Rules
57509
of the address block (either the first or
last possible character) must be within
21⁄2 inches of the top of the mailpiece.
See Exhibit 2.3.
c. On all pieces, the address block
must be at least 1 inch closer to the top
than to the bottom of the piece.
2.4
barcoded Periodicals rates), the piece
must bear one 11-digit POSTNET
barcode or one Intelligent Mail barcode
under 5.3 or it may bear two 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes under 5.4. Other
mailer-applied non-USPS barcodes may
appear on the address side of the piece
if the barcode format is not detectable
by automated postal equipment as a
routing code. Automation rate flat-size
pieces must not bear a 5-digit or a ZIP+4
barcode.
[Further renumber 5.5, DPBC Numeric
Equivalent, as new 5.2. Renumber 5.2
through 5.4 as 5.3 through 5.5.]
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[Delete renumbered 5.5, 5-Digit and
ZIP+4 Barcode Permissibility. Further
renumber 5.6 and 5.7 as 5.5 and 5.6.]
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[Revise item e to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent Mail
barcodes as follows:]
330
[Add a new last sentence to 5.4.4 to
reference the address placement
standards as follows:]
Type Size and Line Spacing
On all First-Class Mail, Periodicals,
Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter,
Media Mail, and Library Mail flats
mailed at presorted, automation, or
carrier route rates, mailers must print
the address using at least 8-point type
(8-point type is approximately 1⁄10-inch
high). An Arial font is preferred. These
additional standards apply to
automation rate pieces:
a. The individual characters and the
individual lines in the address cannot
touch or overlap. A minimum 0.028inch clear space between lines is
preferred.
b. Each element on each line of the
address may be separated by no more
than three blank character spaces. For
example, ‘‘ANYTOWN U.S. 12345,’’ not
‘‘ANYTOWN U.S.
12345.’’
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Address Placement
First-Class Mail
333
Rates and Eligibility
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Barcode Placement
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e. Bear an accurate 11-digit POSTNET
barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode with
a delivery point routing code (either on
the piece or on an insert showing
through a window) meeting the
standards in 302.5.0, Barcode
Placement, and 708.4.0, Standards for
POSTNET and Intelligent Mail
Barcodes.
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5.4 Address Standards for Barcoded
Pieces
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5.4.4
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Address Elements
* * * The address must appear on
the piece according to 302.2.4.
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[Revise heading and text of
renumbered 5.1 to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes when a POSTNET
barcode is used on automation flat-size
pieces, as follows:]
5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Automation Rate First-Class Mail
Flats
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation
First-Class Mail
340
343
Rates and Eligibility
5.1
All pieces in a First-Class Mail
automation rate mailing must:
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Basic Standards
On any flat-size piece claimed at
automation rates (including machinable
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EP10OC07.005
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
5.0
Exhibit 2.3
57510
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 10, 2007 / Proposed Rules
7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Automation Rate Standard Mail
Flats
Additional Criteria for Automation
Flats.
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7.1
6.3 Address Standards for Barcode
Discount
General
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail
or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation
rate mailing must:
[Revise item e to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent Mail
barcodes as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate 11-digit POSTNET
barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode with
a delivery point routing code (either on
the piece or on an insert showing
through a window) meeting the
standards in 302.5.0, Barcode
Placement, and 708.4.0, Standards for
POSTNET and Intelligent Mail
Barcodes.
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7.3 Address Standards for Barcoded
Pieces
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7.3.4
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Address Elements
Bound Printed Matter
363
Rates and Eligibility
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rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
*
Address Elements
[Add a new last sentence to 6.3.4 to
reference the address placement
standards as follows:]
* * * The address must appear on
the piece according to 302.2.0.
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370
Media Mail
373
Rates and Eligibility
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Jkt 214001
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Delivery and Return Addresses
All Media Mail must bear a delivery
address. The delivery address on each
piece must include the correct ZIP Code
or ZIP+4 code. The address must appear
on the piece according to 302.2.0.
Alternative addressing formats under
602.3.0 or detached address labels
under 602.4.0 may be used. Each piece
must bear the sender’s return address.
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Library Mail
Rates and Eligibility
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3.0 Rate Eligibility for Library Mail
Flats
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3.3
Delivery and Return Addresses
All Library Mail must bear a delivery
address. The delivery address on each
piece must include the correct ZIP Code
or ZIP+4 code. The address must appear
on the piece according to 302.2.0.
Alternative addressing formats under
602.3.0 or detached address labels
under 602.4.0 may be used. Each piece
must bear the sender’s return address.
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700
Special Standards
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707
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Periodicals
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3.0 Physical Characteristics and
Content Eligibility
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Addressing
3.2.1
General
[Revise 3.2.1 to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent Mail
barcodes on machinable barcoded flats
as follows:]
Each addressed piece, including the
top copy of a firm bundle, must bear the
addressee’s name and address. The
address must include the correct ZIP+4
code or 5-digit ZIP Code. Flat-size
pieces mailed at the machinable
barcoded rates must include the correct
11-digit POSTNET barcode or Intelligent
Mail barcode (under 708.4.0) containing
a delivery point routing code for the
delivery address.
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3.2.3
3.0 Rate Eligibility for Media Mail
Flats
*
[Revise 6.1 to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent Mail
barcodes as follows:]
The barcode discount applies only to
BPM flat-size pieces that bear a correct,
readable 11-digit POSTNET barcode
under 708.4.0, Standards for POSTNET
and Intelligent Mail Barcodes, for the
numeric DPBC of the delivery address.
Instead of a POSTNET barcode, pieces
may bear Intelligent Mail barcodes
(under 708.4.0) containing a delivery
point routing code for the delivery
address. The pieces must be part of a
nonpresorted rate mailing of 50 or more
flat-size pieces or part of a presorted rate
mailing of at least 300 BPM flat-size
pieces prepared under 705.8.0,
Preparing Pallets, and 365.7.0,
Preparing Barcoded Flats. The barcode
discount is not available for flat-size
pieces mailed at Presorted DDU rates or
carrier route rates. To qualify for the
barcode discount, the flat-size piece
must meet the standards in 301.3.0,
14:57 Oct 09, 2007
*
383
General
VerDate Aug<31>2005
6.3.4
*
380
6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
Flats
6.1
*
3.3
*
[Add a new last sentence to 7.3.4 to
reference the address placement
standards as follows:]
* * * The address must appear on
the piece according to 302.2.0.
*
*
*
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*
360
*
3.2
Address Placement
[Revise 3.2.3 to reference the new
address placement standards as
follows:]
The delivery address must be clearly
visible on or through the outside of the
mailpiece, whether placed on a label or
directly on the host publication, a
component, or the mailing wrapper. If
placed on the mailing wrapper, the
address must be on a flat side, not on
a fold. If a polybag is used, the address
must not appear on a component that
rotates within the bag, and the address
must remain visible throughout the
addressed component’s range of motion.
For flat-size pieces, mailers must follow
the additional address placement and
formatting standards in 302.2.0 and
302.5.0.
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*
[Delete Exhibit 3.2.4, Address
Placement for Periodicals.]
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3.3 Permissible Mailpiece
Components
*
*
3.3.10
*
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Label Carrier
A label carrier may be used to carry
the delivery address for the mailpiece
and must consist of a single unfolded,
uncreased sheet of card or paper stock,
securely affixed to the cover of the
publication or large enough so that it
does not rotate inside the wrapper,
subject to these conditions:
*
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[Insert new item e as follows:]
e. For flat-size pieces, mailers must
follow the additional address placement
and formatting standards in 302.2.0 and
302.5.0.
*
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*
*
*
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 10, 2007 / Proposed Rules
13.0
Carrier Route Rate Eligibility
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
13.1
Basic Standards
Fish and Wildlife Service
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13.1.2
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50 CFR Part 17
Address Quality
All pieces in a Periodicals carrier
route rate mailing must bear a delivery
address that includes the correct ZIP
Code or ZIP+4 code and that meets
these address quality standards:
*
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*
*
*
[Insert new item d as follows:]
d. For flat-size pieces, mailers must
follow the additional address placement
and formatting standards in 302.2.0 and
302.5.0.
*
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*
14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Rate
Eligibility
14.1
14.1.1
Basic Standards
General
All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded
(automation) rate mailing must:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item b as follows:]
b. Bear a delivery address that
includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4
code, and that meets these address
quality standards:
*
*
*
*
*
c. Bear an accurate barcode meeting
the standards in 708.4.0, under these
conditions:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item c2 to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent Mail
barcodes as follows:]
2. If a flat: The mailer may use an 11digit POSTNET or an Intelligent Mail
barcode with a delivery point routing
code, under 708.4.0. Mailers may apply
the barcode either on the piece or on an
insert showing through a window.
*
*
*
*
*
We will publish an appropriate
amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect
these changes if our proposal is
adopted.
rmajette on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALS
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. E7–19932 Filed 10–9–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
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Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
and Plants: Eastern New York Chapter
of the Nature Conservancy,
Enhancement of Survival Permit
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability and
Receipt of Application; Request for
Comments.
AGENCY:
The Eastern New York
Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
(TNC) has applied to the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) for an
Enhancement of Survival Permit (ESP)
pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act),
as amended. The requested permit,
which is for a period of 50 years,
includes a draft Safe Harbor Agreement
(SHA) for the Karner blue butterfly in
portions of Albany, Saratoga,
Schenectady, and Warren Counties,
New York.
A draft Environmental Assessment
(EA), pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), is also available for public
review. We are requesting comments on
this application.
DATES: Written comments on the permit
application, SHA, and EA must be
received on or before November 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Please address comments to
Field Office Supervisor, New York Field
Office, 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, New
York 13045; facsimile 607–753–9699.
Please refer to permit TE162713–0 when
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stilwell or Robyn Niver at the
New York Field Office (see ADDRESSES
above), telephone 607–753–9334;
facsimile 607–753–9699, or
Robyn_Niver@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Document Availability
Individuals wishing copies of the
permit application or the draft EA, or
copies of the full text of the proposed
SHA, should contact the office and
personnel listed in the ADDRESSES
section. Documents also will be
available for public inspection, by
appointment, during normal business
hours at this office (see ADDRESSES).
We specifically request information,
views, and opinions from the public on
the proposed Federal action of issuing a
permit. Further, we solicit information
regarding the adequacy of the SHA as
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
57511
measured against our permit issuance
criteria found in 50 CFR 17.22(c).
Before including your address,
telephone number, electronic mail
address, or other personal identifying
information in your comment, be
advised that your entire comment,
including your personal identifying
information, may be made publicly
available at any time. While you can ask
us in your comment to withhold from
public review your personal identifying
information, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so.
Background
TNC has applied to the Service for a
section 10(a)(1)(A) ESP for the
endangered Karner blue butterfly in
portions of 4 eastern New York counties
(Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and
Warren) for a period of 50 years.
TNC plans to implement a
programmatic SHA program on nonFederal and non-TNC lands in eastern
New York to promote the recovery of
the Karner blue butterfly on enrolled
private lands located in the counties
listed above. The conservation measures
will improve and maintain pitch pine
scrub oak barrens oak-pine savannahs,
and tall grass prairie openings through
mowing, tree clearing, and grubbing,
removal of debris, prescribed burning,
limited use of herbicides, and planting
seeds or seedlings by hand or
mechanical equipment. TNC may also
employ captive-rearing and
translocation methods to enhance
butterfly colonization of sites. Due to
the programmatic nature of the SHA,
baseline conditions will be determined
at the time of enrollment. Baseline
conditions for most properties are
anticipated to be zero. Where properties
are determination to have an
environmental baseline greater than
zero, these areas shall be described in
the cooperative agreement between TNC
and the property owner, with detailed
descriptions and maps showing the
locations of existing habitat attached to
the cooperative agreement.
Under an SHA, a participating
property owner voluntarily undertakes
management activities on their property
to enhance, restore, or maintain habitat
benefiting species listed under the Act.
Safe Harbor Agreements encourage
private and other non-Federal property
owners to implement conservation
efforts for listed species by assuring
property owners they will not be subject
to increased property use restrictions if
their efforts attract listed species to their
property or increase the numbers or
distribution of listed species already on
their property.
E:\FR\FM\10OCP1.SGM
10OCP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57507-57511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19932]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
New Address and Barcode Requirements for Automation, Presorted,
and Carrier Route Flat-Size Mail
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes new address placement requirements
for Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and
Library Mail flat-size pieces sent at automation, presorted, or carrier
route rates. We also propose to require an 11-digit POSTNET barcode or
Intelligent Mail barcode on flat-size First-Class Mail, Periodicals,
Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter sent at automation rates. In
addition, we propose related revisions to the address requirements for
automation and presorted First-Class Mail flats.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before December 10, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing
Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Room 3436,
Washington, DC 20260-3436. You may inspect and photocopy all written
comments at Postal Service Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza,
SW., 11th Floor N, Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Witt, 202-268-7279.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is implementing a new
technology, the Flats Sequencing System (FSS), to automate delivery
sequencing for flat-size mail. Currently, flat-size mail is sorted
mechanically only to the 9-digit ZIP Code or carrier level, and then
manually sorted into delivery order by carriers. FSS can sort flat-size
mailpieces into delivery sequence, increasing efficiency by reducing
carriers' time sorting mail, and allowing carriers to begin delivering
mail earlier in the day.
Similar technology boosted postal efficiencies in processing and
delivering letter mail in the 1990s. We can significantly increase
efficiency and reduce delivery costs for flat-size mail with FSS
technology. FSS can sequence flat mail at a rate of approximately
16,500 pieces per hour. Scheduled to operate 17 hours per day, each
machine will be capable of sequencing 280,500 mailpieces daily to more
than 125,000 delivery addresses.
As we move toward national deployment of FSS, we are working
closely with the mailing industry to make the most of this investment
and achieve the lowest combined costs for handling flat-size mail,
including developing new standards for optimal addressing. Unlike
letter mail, which is fairly uniform in size and address location, flat
mail covers a broad range of sizes and has highly variable address
placement. We need new mailing standards for this diverse mailstream to
promote consistent addressing for all flat-size pieces and ensure
efficiency in
[[Page 57508]]
all flats processing and delivery operations.
Toward this goal, we are proposing new standards requiring mailers
to use an 11-digit POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode on all
automation rate First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound
Printed Matter flat-size pieces. Mailers must also place the address in
the upper portion of all Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed
Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flat-size pieces mailed at
automation, presorted, or carrier route rates. Mailers may place the
address parallel or perpendicular to the top edge, but not upside down
as read in relation to the top edge. For bound or folded pieces not in
envelopes or polywrap, the ``top'' of the mailpiece is the upper edge
when the bound or final folded edge is vertical and on the right side
of the piece. For enveloped or polywrapped pieces, the ``top'' is
either of the shorter edges.
Mailers must address all presorted, carrier route, and automation
flat-size mailpieces using a minimum of 8-point type. In addition, for
all automation pieces, the lines and the characters in the address must
not touch or overlap, and each element of the address line may be
separated by no more than three blank character spaces.
The new standards will enable FSS to process flat-size pieces in
delivery sequence at high speeds and reduce the time carriers spend
manually sorting flat-size mail. The new standards further increase
efficiency by ensuring that carriers need not reorient flat-size pieces
to read the address, whether the mail is held, pulled from a mailbag,
or removed from a tray.
As we transition to the automated flats processing environment, the
Intelligent Mail barcode provides opportunities for mailers to save
space within the address block. For example, mailers can include all
tracking and routing information and avoid reproducing human-readable
ACS codes and keylines. In addition, to further mitigate the larger
type size requirements, we are looking at ways to shorten optional
endorsement lines and allow mailers to place mailer-specified
information (such as customer numbers) to the left of the optional
endorsement line when OneCode ACS is used. We may also be able to
reduce the amount of clear space required under the Intelligent Mail
barcode. We will publish these changes in a future revision. For other
ways to reduce address block size, refer to Publication 28, Postal
Addressing Standards (available on Postal Explorer at pe.usps.com;
click on ``Address Quality'' in the left frame, then ``Address
Management Publications'').
Although we are exempt from the notice and comment requirements of
the Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)] regarding
proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we invite public comments on
the following proposed revisions 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.
Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is proposed to be amended as follows:
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,
416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:
* * * * *
300 Discount Mail: Flats
* * * * *
302 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece
1.0 All Mailpieces
* * * * *
[Revise 1.2 as follows:]
1.2 Delivery Address
The delivery address specifies the location to which the USPS is to
deliver a mailpiece. Except for mail prepared with detached address
labels under 602.4.0, the piece must have the address of the intended
recipient, visible and legible, only on the side of the piece bearing
postage. Use at least 8-point type (8-point type is approximately \1/
10\-inch high). An Arial font is preferred. Additional standards apply
to presorted, automation-compatible, and carrier route rate flats
mailed at First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed
Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail rates (see 2.0).
* * * * *
[Renumber 2.0 through 4.0 as 3.0 through 5.0. Insert new 2.0 as
follows:]
2.0 Address Placement
2.1 Basic Standards
On all Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media
Mail, and Library Mail flats mailed at presorted, automation, or
carrier route rates, mailers must place the address block at least \1/
8\ inch from any edge of the mailpiece. For the purposes of these
standards, the ``address block'' is defined as the recipient's name or
other identification; the company information line; the street and
number, and any necessary secondary information; and the city, state,
and ZIP Code. The address may appear on the front or the back of the
mailpiece (but must be on the side bearing postage), parallel or
perpendicular to the top edge, but it cannot be upside down as read in
relation to the top edge. See 2.2 for additional standards for
enveloped or polywrapped pieces, and 2.3 for bound or folded pieces not
in envelopes or polywrap.
2.2 Address Placement on Enveloped or Polywrapped Pieces
The following standards apply to enveloped or polywrapped
Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and
Library Mail flats mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route
rates:
a. The ``top'' of the mailpiece is either of the shorter edges.
b. If the address is parallel to the top edge, the entire address
block must appear within 3 inches of the top of the mailpiece. If the
address is perpendicular to the top edge, one edge of the address block
(either the first or last possible character) must be within 2\1/2\
inches of the top of the mailpiece. See Exhibit 2.3.
c. On all pieces, the address block must be at least 1 inch closer
to the top than to the bottom of the piece.
d. When the address is placed on an insert polywrapped with the
host piece,the insert must be secured to maintain address placement
throughout processing and delivery.
2.3 Address Placement on Bound or Folded Pieces
The following standards apply to bound or folded Periodicals,
Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flats
mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route rates not in
envelopes or polywrap:
a. The ``top'' is the upper edge of the mailpiece when the bound or
final folded edge is vertical and on the right side of the piece.
Exception: For Carrier Route (or Enhanced Carrier Route) saturation
rate pieces, the ``top'' of the mailpiece is either of the shorter
edges.
b. If the address is parallel to the top edge, the entire address
block must appear within 3 inches of the top of the mailpiece. If the
address is perpendicular to the top edge, one edge
[[Page 57509]]
of the address block (either the first or last possible character) must
be within 2\1/2\ inches of the top of the mailpiece. See Exhibit 2.3.
c. On all pieces, the address block must be at least 1 inch closer
to the top than to the bottom of the piece.
Exhibit 2.3 Address Placement
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP10OC07.005
2.4 Type Size and Line Spacing
On all First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed
Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flats mailed at presorted,
automation, or carrier route rates, mailers must print the address
using at least 8-point type (8-point type is approximately \1/10\-inch
high). An Arial font is preferred. These additional standards apply to
automation rate pieces:
a. The individual characters and the individual lines in the
address cannot touch or overlap. A minimum 0.028-inch clear space
between lines is preferred.
b. Each element on each line of the address may be separated by no
more than three blank character spaces. For example, ``ANYTOWN U.S.
12345,'' not ``ANYTOWN U.S. 12345.''
* * * * *
5.0 Barcode Placement
[Revise heading and text of renumbered 5.1 to require 11-digit
POSTNET barcodes when a POSTNET barcode is used on automation flat-size
pieces, as follows:]
5.1 Basic Standards
On any flat-size piece claimed at automation rates (including
machinable barcoded Periodicals rates), the piece must bear one 11-
digit POSTNET barcode or one Intelligent Mail barcode under 5.3 or it
may bear two 11-digit POSTNET barcodes under 5.4. Other mailer-applied
non-USPS barcodes may appear on the address side of the piece if the
barcode format is not detectable by automated postal equipment as a
routing code. Automation rate flat-size pieces must not bear a 5-digit
or a ZIP+4 barcode.
[Further renumber 5.5, DPBC Numeric Equivalent, as new 5.2.
Renumber 5.2 through 5.4 as 5.3 through 5.5.]
* * * * *
[Delete renumbered 5.5, 5-Digit and ZIP+4 Barcode Permissibility.
Further renumber 5.6 and 5.7 as 5.5 and 5.6.]
* * * * *
330 First-Class Mail
333 Rates and Eligibility
* * * * *
5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Rate First-Class
Mail Flats
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail
All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation rate mailing must:
* * * * *
[Revise item e to require 11-digit POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent
Mail barcodes as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate 11-digit POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail
barcode with a delivery point routing code (either on the piece or on
an insert showing through a window) meeting the standards in 302.5.0,
Barcode Placement, and 708.4.0, Standards for POSTNET and Intelligent
Mail Barcodes.
* * * * *
5.4 Address Standards for Barcoded Pieces
* * * * *
5.4.4 Address Elements
[Add a new last sentence to 5.4.4 to reference the address
placement standards as follows:]
* * * The address must appear on the piece according to 302.2.4.
* * * * *
340 Standard Mail
343 Rates and Eligibility
* * * * *
[[Page 57510]]
7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Rate Standard Mail
Flats
7.1 General
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail
automation rate mailing must:
[Revise item e to require 11-digit POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent
Mail barcodes as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate 11-digit POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail
barcode with a delivery point routing code (either on the piece or on
an insert showing through a window) meeting the standards in 302.5.0,
Barcode Placement, and 708.4.0, Standards for POSTNET and Intelligent
Mail Barcodes.
* * * * *
7.3 Address Standards for Barcoded Pieces
* * * * *
7.3.4 Address Elements
[Add a new last sentence to 7.3.4 to reference the address
placement standards as follows:]
* * * The address must appear on the piece according to 302.2.0.
* * * * *
360 Bound Printed Matter
363 Rates and Eligibility
* * * * *
6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
Flats
6.1 General
[Revise 6.1 to require 11-digit POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent
Mail barcodes as follows:]
The barcode discount applies only to BPM flat-size pieces that bear
a correct, readable 11-digit POSTNET barcode under 708.4.0, Standards
for POSTNET and Intelligent Mail Barcodes, for the numeric DPBC of the
delivery address. Instead of a POSTNET barcode, pieces may bear
Intelligent Mail barcodes (under 708.4.0) containing a delivery point
routing code for the delivery address. The pieces must be part of a
nonpresorted rate mailing of 50 or more flat-size pieces or part of a
presorted rate mailing of at least 300 BPM flat-size pieces prepared
under 705.8.0, Preparing Pallets, and 365.7.0, Preparing Barcoded
Flats. The barcode discount is not available for flat-size pieces
mailed at Presorted DDU rates or carrier route rates. To qualify for
the barcode discount, the flat-size piece must meet the standards in
301.3.0, Additional Criteria for Automation Flats.
* * * * *
6.3 Address Standards for Barcode Discount
* * * * *
6.3.4 Address Elements
[Add a new last sentence to 6.3.4 to reference the address
placement standards as follows:]
* * * The address must appear on the piece according to 302.2.0.
* * * * *
370 Media Mail
373 Rates and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Rate Eligibility for Media Mail Flats
* * * * *
3.3 Delivery and Return Addresses
All Media Mail must bear a delivery address. The delivery address
on each piece must include the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. The
address must appear on the piece according to 302.2.0. Alternative
addressing formats under 602.3.0 or detached address labels under
602.4.0 may be used. Each piece must bear the sender's return address.
* * * * *
380 Library Mail
383 Rates and Eligibility
* * * * *
3.0 Rate Eligibility for Library Mail Flats
* * * * *
3.3 Delivery and Return Addresses
All Library Mail must bear a delivery address. The delivery address
on each piece must include the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code. The
address must appear on the piece according to 302.2.0. Alternative
addressing formats under 602.3.0 or detached address labels under
602.4.0 may be used. Each piece must bear the sender's return address.
* * * * *
700 Special Standards
* * * * *
707 Periodicals
* * * * *
3.0 Physical Characteristics and Content Eligibility
* * * * *
3.2 Addressing
3.2.1 General
[Revise 3.2.1 to require 11-digit POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent
Mail barcodes on machinable barcoded flats as follows:]
Each addressed piece, including the top copy of a firm bundle, must
bear the addressee's name and address. The address must include the
correct ZIP+4 code or 5-digit ZIP Code. Flat-size pieces mailed at the
machinable barcoded rates must include the correct 11-digit POSTNET
barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode (under 708.4.0) containing a
delivery point routing code for the delivery address.
* * * * *
3.2.3 Address Placement
[Revise 3.2.3 to reference the new address placement standards as
follows:]
The delivery address must be clearly visible on or through the
outside of the mailpiece, whether placed on a label or directly on the
host publication, a component, or the mailing wrapper. If placed on the
mailing wrapper, the address must be on a flat side, not on a fold. If
a polybag is used, the address must not appear on a component that
rotates within the bag, and the address must remain visible throughout
the addressed component's range of motion. For flat-size pieces,
mailers must follow the additional address placement and formatting
standards in 302.2.0 and 302.5.0.
* * * * *
[Delete Exhibit 3.2.4, Address Placement for Periodicals.]
* * * * *
3.3 Permissible Mailpiece Components
* * * * *
3.3.10 Label Carrier
A label carrier may be used to carry the delivery address for the
mailpiece and must consist of a single unfolded, uncreased sheet of
card or paper stock, securely affixed to the cover of the publication
or large enough so that it does not rotate inside the wrapper, subject
to these conditions:
* * * * *
[Insert new item e as follows:]
e. For flat-size pieces, mailers must follow the additional address
placement and formatting standards in 302.2.0 and 302.5.0.
* * * * *
[[Page 57511]]
13.0 Carrier Route Rate Eligibility
13.1 Basic Standards
* * * * *
13.1.2 Address Quality
All pieces in a Periodicals carrier route rate mailing must bear a
delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code and
that meets these address quality standards:
* * * * *
[Insert new item d as follows:]
d. For flat-size pieces, mailers must follow the additional address
placement and formatting standards in 302.2.0 and 302.5.0.
* * * * *
14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Rate Eligibility
14.1 Basic Standards
14.1.1 General
All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded (automation) rate mailing
must:
* * * * *
[Revise item b as follows:]
b. Bear a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code or
ZIP+4 code, and that meets these address quality standards:
* * * * *
c. Bear an accurate barcode meeting the standards in 708.4.0, under
these conditions:
* * * * *
[Revise item c2 to require 11-digit POSTNET barcodes or Intelligent
Mail barcodes as follows:]
2. If a flat: The mailer may use an 11-digit POSTNET or an
Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code, under
708.4.0. Mailers may apply the barcode either on the piece or on an
insert showing through a window.
* * * * *
We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to
reflect these changes if our proposal is adopted.
Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. E7-19932 Filed 10-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P