POSTAL SERVICE

# New Address Requirements for Automation, Presorted, and Carrier Route Flat-Size Mail

**AGENCY:** Postal Service™.

**ACTION:** Final rule.

#### SUMMARY: The Postal Service adopts new address placement and formatting requirements for Periodicals, Standard Mail®, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail®, and Library Mail flat-size pieces sent at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices. We also adopt related revisions for automation and presorted First-Class Mail® flats.

#### 

**EFFECTIVE DATE:** March 29, 2009.

**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 increase efficiency in flats
processing and delivery operations.

Toward this goal, we are adopting new standards to require the delivery
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 prices. Mailers may place the
address parallel or perpendicular to the top edge, but not upside down
as read in relation to the top edge. The new standards define "upper
portion" as the top half of a mailpiece, but we encourage mailers to
place the address as close to the top edge as possible (while still
maintaining a 1/8-inch clearance from the edge).

Mailers must also address all presorted, carrier route and automation
flat-size mailpieces using a minimum of 8-point type or, if the
mailpiece bears a POSTNET™ or Intelligent Mail® barcode with a delivery
point routing code, a minimum of 6-point type in all capital letters. In
addition, for all automation price pieces, the characters in the address
must not overlap, the address lines must not touch or overlap, and each
address element may be separated by no more than five blank character
spaces.

#### The new standards will enable FSS to process flat-size pieces in delivery sequence at high speeds and output the pieces in vertical bundles that are optimized for carrier delivery. The new placement criteria will take advantage of the vertical bundle output and significantly reduce the time carriers spend reorienting pieces to read the address --- whether the mail is held, pulled from a mailbag, or removed from a tray. The new standards for type size and line spacing will ensure carriers can read the addresses and delineate delivery stops. With over a quarter million carriers delivering mail six days a week, there are substantial opportunities to gain efficiency.

#### 

#### As we transition to the new addressing standards, mailers can take advantage of the Intelligent Mail barcode to save space within the address block. For example, the Intelligent Mail barcode can include tracking and routing information that currently requires human-readable ACS™ codes and keylines. We also reduced the amount of clear space required under the Intelligent Mail barcode to 0.028 inch (mailers can access the full technical specification for the Intelligent Mail barcode at *ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution).* 

#### 

#### The Intelligent Mail barcode will be required on all pieces claiming automation prices in the future. Mailers can find more information in the *Federal Register* notice, "Implementation of Intelligent Mail Barcodes," published on January 7, 2008 (available on Postal Explorer® at *pe.usps.com;* click "Federal Register Notices" in the left frame). Because the new barcode requirements are laid out in a separate *Federal Register* proceeding, we removed them from this final rule.

#### 

**Summary of Comments**

We published a proposal for comment in the *Federal Register* (72 FR
57507) on October 10, 2007. We received comments from 24 mailers; seven
associations, four presort bureaus, three large printers, and two
consultants. We appreciate the time these commenters took to detail
their questions, concerns, and suggestions. We also appreciate the
sample mailpieces that many mailers included to illustrate their
feedback.

**Comments on Address Placement**

Twenty-eight commenters objected to the proposed standards for address
placement that would require the delivery address to be 3 inches (for
horizontal addresses) or 2.5 inches (for vertical addresses) from the
top of a mailpiece. These commenters objected for creative reasons,
financial reasons, or both.

Twenty-five of these commenters cited a loss of design options, on a
mailpiece cover or coverwrap, or on an insert showing through polywrap.
These commenters said the new address placement would compromise their
cover designs and result in mailpieces that look "tacky" or "cheap."

We did not intend to compromise mailpiece design. In response to these
concerns, we revised our standards to allow mailers to place the
delivery address within the top half of their mailpieces. While we
strongly prefer the address as close to the top as possible; the top
half provides additional design options for most mailpieces. For
example, on a typical 8- by 11-inch magazine with an address positioned
parallel to the top edge, our proposal would have required the address
within the top 3 inches. The revised standards allow this address
anywhere within the top half --- 5.5 inches in this example ---
providing an additional 2.5-inch band for the address.

For pieces addressed vertically, we will allow the delivery address to
run into the bottom half of the mailpiece if the address is placed
within 1 inch of the top edge. This caveat will ensure that mailers can
use vertical addresses on shorter pieces, where the delivery address
might not fit entirely within the top half, and provides many design
options overall for these types of flats.

We note that many mailpieces already comply with the new address
placement standards. We have also received publications from mailers who
successfully moved their addresses into compliance with our proposal.
These mailers did not indicate that the design of their mailpieces had
been compromised as a result.

Several commenters objected to the standards that prohibit a horizontal
address from appearing upside-down as read in relation to the top edge.
These commenters point out that the address would be upside down on an
unenveloped piece when the spine is to the left, as a publication is
normally held. They raise concerns about response cards that appear on
the front of a publication (usually on a cover wrap) that include the
delivery address and solicit a reply. These commenters foresee a loss of
revenue from decreased subscriber renewal rates and decreased
advertising response rates if they place the address upside down on
their reply cards.

We note that the new standards still provide mailers with the option to
position a response card vertically on a mailpiece, with the address
reading either to the left or to the right. A horizontal address, which
would appear upside down when the spine is positioned on the left, is
not required.

A total of 21 commenters objected to the address placement standards for
financial reasons, stating that the new requirements would adversely
affect their costs or their ability to generate revenue. In addition to
the concerns about response rates noted above, these commenters
explained that the new requirements would add costs for spot-glue on
inserts and onserts; new or reconfigured equipment and mailing software;
and larger address labels or new window envelopes.

The revised standards, which allow the delivery address within the top
half of a mailpiece, provide additional options for many mailpieces and
should lessen the impact of the change across the flats mailstream. We
are providing a year-long implementation timeframe to allow mailers to
prepare for the new standards, adjust mailpiece design if needed, and
obtain any new mailing supplies and equipment. We are committed to
working with mailers to reduce the total cost of the flats mailstream.
Matching mail preparation requirements to processing and delivery needs
will help the Postal Service and the mailing industry achieve a
lowest-combined-cost system.

Flats mail volume exceeded 52 billion pieces in 2007 and represented
about one-quarter of the total volume. The new address standards provide
a significant opportunity to improve efficiency and save costs for both
mailers and the Postal Service.

Four commenters objected to placing delivery addresses over their
magazine titles. Our standards do not require or encourage mailers to
place the delivery address over their publication titles. To clarify,
publications mailed in polybags have three options to avoid covering the
title: at the foot of the front cover, the foot of the back cover, or at
the head of the back cover. For publications that are not mailed in
polybags, our standards specifically prevent mailers from placing an
address in the traditional title area of a magazine or catalog (the head
of the front cover). See illustration titled, "Front of Flat-Size
Mailpiece." Existing mailing standards for Periodicals publications
specify that the publication title must be displayed prominently on the
publication and any protective cover. Our new address standards do not
change this practice.

**Front of Flat-Size Mailpiece**

![](media/image1.png){width="5.988888888888889in"
height="4.438888888888889in"}

Two commenters explained that their addresses may not comply on
letter-size pieces that become flats if filled to more than 1/4-inch
thick. While some mailers may need to adjust their mailpieces if they
are used for mailing at both the letter and the flats prices, major
changes are not needed in many instances. The new standards allow the
delivery address in all but the center of a letter-size piece, and many
mailers might make an adjustment by moving the address area to the right
or the left (the "top" is either of the shorter edges on an enveloped
piece, meaning the right or left edge on a typical letter). The postage
and return address areas are not affected by our new standards. For
mailers who must make adjustments, we are providing a year to meet the
new standards and exhaust existing mailpiece stock.

**Comments on Address Characteristics**

Thirteen commenters objected to the 8-point type size requirement
because it will require larger address labels than the labels they are
currently using. In response to these concerns, we reduced the
requirement to 6-point type (using all capital letters) on pieces that
bear a POSTNET or an Intelligent Mail barcode that contains a delivery
point routing code. In our models, we were able to place an Intelligent
Mail barcode, the barcode clear zone, and at least six lines of text on
a 1-inch label.

We are also shortening optional endorsement lines and allowing mailers
to place mailer-specified information (such as customer numbers) to the
left of the optional endorsement line when OneCode ACS™ is used. We will
publish more information about these initiatives in a separate DMM®
revision. In addition, the Intelligent Mail barcode will give mailers
new opportunities to save space in the address block.

Six commenters objected to addressing automation pieces with individual
characters and address lines that do not touch or overlap. These
commenters said that the proposed standards would exclude handwriting
and script fonts from automation pricing.

We developed these standards on the basis of engineering tests of our
optical character reader systems, which showed a significant drop in
read rates for addresses with elements that touch or overlap. Some
results showed as much as a 50 percent drop in read rates when the
characters and lines are not clearly separated. Our processing systems
must be able to read the recipient name in addition to the address (or
barcode) to accurately route mailpieces.

We do agree that many machine-printed script fonts will process
adequately on our systems, even though these addresses will not achieve
the highest read rates. To assist mailers who need these types of fonts
to personalize or stylize their mailpieces, we changed the standard to
specify that the individual characters in the address can touch, but
cannot overlap. This standard will allow machine-printed script
addresses. While we strongly prefer a sans-serif type of font, two
script fonts that we have observed with adequate read rates are Monotype
Corsiva and Bradley Hand ITC.

Our revised standards still exclude most handwritten addresses, because
we cannot process pieces with overlapping characters and undelineated
address lines with acceptable read rates. In addition, our carriers rely
on legible addresses to accurately sort their mail and delineate
delivery stops on their routes. Handwriting is often difficult to read
and impacts delivery efficiency.

Five commenters objected to the requirement that each address element be
separated by no more than three blank character spaces. These commenters
stated that this standard is too limiting for software systems that use
fixed field lengths. We revised the standard to allow mailers to
separate address elements by a maximum of five blank spaces. The new
standard will ensure readability and routing accuracy by keeping all
address elements associated to the core address block, and not mistaken
for extraneous information.

Five commenters asked us to clarify our measurements for type size. We
revised the standards to specify that each character in the delivery
address must be at least 0.080 inch tall (0.065 inch for pieces bearing
a POSTNET or an Intelligent Mail barcode that contains a delivery point
routing code). These minimums apply to the height of the actual printed
letter or figure (sometimes referred to as the "figure set" or "font
set"). Four commenters asked us to clarify our definition of "blank
character spaces." We specify that a "blank" character space can equal
the width of the widest character in the address.

Two commenters objected to our preferred Arial font. We agree that many
sans-serif fonts are similar to Arial and will process with acceptable
read rates. We expanded our preference to "a sans-serif font." We also
added a preference for all capital letters to further define best
addressing practices.

Two commenters asked us to clarify indicia placement, and one commenter
asked us to allow additional options. The new address standards do not
change the existing four options for indicia placement listed in DMM
604.5.3.4, and we are not considering new options at this time. We will
continue to evaluate indicia placement and modify the standards as
needed.

**Comments Related to Implementation**

Ten commenters objected to the implementation date, stating that FSS
volumes will be minimal next year and the new rules should coincide with
fuller deployment. We disagree with these commenters. We need the new
address standards as FSS is deployed across the country, not after, and
we need new standards for carrier readability today. We can capture
these efficiencies as soon as these changes are implemented, and we will
continually evaluate the requirements and work with mailers to ensure
that mail processing and mail preparation are aligned in the future.

Nine commenters asked for information about acceptance procedures,
tolerances, and penalties. We are still developing the policies that
will apply to mailpieces that do not comply. We clarified the standards
to specify a minimum measurement for type size, simplified the address
placement standards, and broadened the spacing requirements. These
changes eliminate uncertainty about these issues at acceptance and give
mailers as much latitude as possible as they design and print their
mailpieces.

Five commenters asked for a second proposal to clarify the requirements,
extend the implementation timeframe, and specify acceptance procedures
and penalties. We do not agree that a second proposal is needed. Our
final rule gives more options for most mailpieces, clarifies the new
standards, and provides a full year for mailers to prepare for the
changes. We will continue to work with mailers during this time to
ensure a smooth transition to the new standards. We will also
re-evaluate the new address criteria as the mailstream changes, and
strengthen or lessen the requirements if needed, as we do with all of
our mailing standards.

**Presort Bureau Comments**

Four commenters sent similar letters on behalf of presort bureaus that
use multi-line optical character reader (MLOCR) technology, explaining
that they consolidate mailpieces from many mailers into large mailings
that may be mailed at discounted prices. These mailpieces are addressed
before they reach the presort bureau, and commenters stated that they
cannot ensure that all pieces are addressed correctly. We note that
presort bureaus consolidate mailings that must meet many standards for
the postage prices claimed.

These commenters also stated that, if their MLOCR technology can read an
address and spray a barcode; postal technology should also be able to
read the address and the resulting barcode. We agree that pieces bearing
an accurate POSTNET or Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point
routing code can use a smaller address type size. We lessened the
requirement to 6-point type (using all capital letters) for these
pieces. We cannot eliminate the other address requirements. For
acceptable read rates, our tests indicate that we need delivery
addresses in 8-point type, with distinguishable characters and address
lines, and with each element associated to the core address block.

These commenters also raised concerns about how we will verify address
format and the penalties for noncompliance in a combined mailing. They
explained that sampling a consolidated mailing might reveal a
disproportionate number of noncompliant addresses, since a given
customer's mailpieces may not be randomly distributed throughout a
mailing. We plan to verify addressing the same way we verify other
standards in a combined mailing today. When an error is discovered, we
attempt to trace the error back to an individual mailing and assess any
additional postage on that portion only.

Five commenters assert that the new address placement and formatting
requirements should not apply to mail entered by presort bureaus and
other mailers with similar business models. The new standards will apply
to all flats mailed at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices.

**Summary of Changes from Proposed to Final Rule**

We specified in DMM 302.1.2 and 2.4 that each character in the address
must be at least 0.080 inch high. We changed our font preference to
"sans-serif" and added another preference for using all capital letters.

We revised the standards for automation pieces in DMM 302.2.4 to allow
the individual characters in the address to touch but not overlap, to
allow up to five blank character spaces between each address element,
and to allow addresses in 6-point type (using all capital letters) when
a POSTNET or an Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing
code is used. We also defined a "blank" space as equal to the width of
the widest character in the address.

We changed the terminology in DMM 302.2.0 from "address block" to
"delivery address" for clarity. We revised the address placement
standards in DMM 302.2.2 and 2.3 to require the entire delivery address
within the top half of the mailpiece. We made related changes to the
illustrations. We added a caveat that vertical addresses may cross the
midline of a mailpiece if they are placed within 1 inch of the top edge.

We revised DMM 302.2.2 to specify that when the delivery address is
placed on an insert and polywrapped with the host piece, the address
"must meet the placement standards throughout processing and delivery."
We removed the word "secured" because some inserts may meet this
standard without being affixed. We revised DMM 707.3.2.3 and 3.3.10 for
clarity.

We removed the proposed barcode standards for automation pieces, because
those standards are now handled in a separate *Federal Register*
proceeding.

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.

Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 111 is 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, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 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](http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/602.htm#wp1083555), the
mailpiece must have the address of the intended recipient, visible and
legible, only on the side of the piece bearing postage (Periodicals do
not display postage and the address may appear on either side). Use at
least 8-point type (each character must be at least 0.080 inch high). A
sans-serif font is preferred. Addresses printed in all capital letters
are also preferred. Additional standards apply to presorted,
automation-compatible, and carrier route flats mailed at First-Class
Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and
Library Mail prices (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
prices, mailers must place the delivery address at least 1/8 inch from
any edge of the mailpiece. For the purposes of these standards, the
"delivery address" 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 delivery address may appear on the front or the back of the
mailpiece (but must be on the side bearing postage, except for
Periodicals), 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 prices:

a\. The "top" of the mailpiece is either of the shorter edges.

> b\. The entire delivery address must be within the top half of the
> mailpiece (see Exhibit 2.2). Optimal placement is at the top edge
> (while maintaining the 1/8-inch clearance requirement). If a vertical
> address will not fit entirely within the top half, the address may
> cross the midpoint if it is placed within 1 inch of the top edge.
>
> c\. When the delivery address is placed on an insert polywrapped with
> the host piece, the address must meet the placement standards
> throughout processing and delivery.

**Exhibit 2.2 Delivery Address on Enveloped or Polywrapped Pieces**

![](media/image2.png){width="5.986805555555556in"
height="4.228472222222222in"}

**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 prices 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
> pieces, the "top" of the mailpiece is either of the shorter edges.
>
> b\. The entire delivery address must be within the top half of the
> mailpiece (see Exhibit 2.3). Optimal placement is at the top edge
> (while maintaining the 1/8-inch clearance requirement). If a vertical
> address will not fit entirely within the top half, the address may
> cross the midpoint if it is placed within 1 inch of the top edge.

**Exhibit 2.3 Delivery Address on Bound or Folded Pieces**

![](media/image3.png){width="5.986805555555556in"
height="4.3277777777777775in"}

**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 prices, mailers must print the delivery
address using at least 8-point type (each character must be at least
0.080 inch high). A sans serif font is preferred.

Addresses printed in all capital letters are also preferred. These
additional standards apply to automation price pieces:

> a\. The individual characters in the address cannot overlap. 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 five blank character spaces. One or two blank spaces is
> preferred.\
> For example, "ANYTOWN US 12345," *not* "ANYTOWN US 12345." A "blank"
> character space can equal the width of the widest character in the
> address.
>
> c\. For pieces that bear a POSTNET barcode with a delivery point
> routing code under 708.4.2 or an Intelligent Mail barcode with a
> delivery point routing code under 708.4.3, mailers may print the
> delivery address in a minimum of 6-point type (each character must be
> at least 0.065 inch high) when all capital letters are used.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**330 First-Class Mail**

**333 Prices and Eligibility**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**3.0 Eligibility Standards for First-Class Mail Flats**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**3.3 Additional Basic Standards for First-Class Mail**

All presorted First-Class Mail must:

## **\* \* \* \* \***

*\[Revise introductory text in item f to reference the new address
standards as follows (no change to items 1, 2, or 3):\]*

f\. Bear a delivery address formatted according to 302.2.4 that includes
the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code and that meets these address quality
standards:

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**340 Standard Mail**

**343 Prices and Eligibility**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail Flats**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

### 3.3 Additional Basic Standards for Standard Mail 

Each Standard Mail mailing is subject to these general standards:

## **\* \* \* \* \***

*\[Revise item e to reference the new address standards as follows:\]*

e\. Each mailpiece must bear the addressee\'s name and delivery address,
including the correct ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code, except as allowed when
using alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 or detached address
labels under 602.4.0. Format and position the delivery address according
to 302.2.0.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**360 Bound Printed Matter**

**363 Prices and Eligibility**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

## 2.0 Basic Eligibility Standards for Bound Printed Matter 

## 

## **\* \* \* \* \***

### 2.3 Delivery and Return Addresses 

*\[Revise 2.3 to reference the new address standards as follows:\]*

All BPM mail must bear a delivery address formatted and positioned
according to 302.2.0. The delivery address must include the correct ZIP
Code or ZIP+4 code. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 may be
used. Except for unendorsed BPM, each mailpiece must bear the sender\'s
return address.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**370 Media Mail**

**373 Prices and Eligibility**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**3.0 Price Eligibility for Media Mail Flats**

\* \* \* \* \*

**3.3 Delivery and Return Addresses**

*\[Revise 3.3 to reference the new address standards as follows:\]*

All Media Mail must bear a delivery address formatted and positioned
according to 302.2.0. The delivery address must include the correct ZIP
Code or ZIP+4 code. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 or
detached address labels under 602.4.0 may be used. Each mailpiece must
bear the sender\'s return address.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**380 Library Mail**

**383 Prices and Eligibility**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**3.0 Price Eligibility for Library Mail Flats**

\* \* \* \* \*

**3.3 Delivery and Return Addresses**

*\[Revise 3.3 to reference the new address standards as follows:\]*

All Library Mail must bear a delivery address formatted and positioned
according to 302.2.0. The delivery address must include the correct ZIP
Code or ZIP+4 code. Alternative addressing formats under 602.3.0 or
detached address labels under 602.4.0 may be used. Each mailpiece must
bear the sender\'s return address.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**700 Special Standards**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**707 Periodicals**

## **\* \* \* \* \***

## 3.0 Physical Characteristics and Content Eligibility 

## 

## **\* \* \* \* \***

### 3.2 Addressing 

### 

## **\* \* \* \* \***

#### 3.2.3 Address Placement 

*\[Revise 3.2.3 to reference the new address standards as follows:\]*

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. The following
standards apply:

> a\. For flat-size pieces, mailers must follow the additional address
> placement and formatting standards in 302.2.0.
>
> b\. If the address is placed on the mailing wrapper, the address must
> be on a flat side, not on a fold.

c\. If a polybag is used:

> 1\. The address must not appear on a component that rotates within the
> bag.
>
> 2\. The address must remain visible throughout the addressed
> component\'s range of motion.
>
> 3\. The address must maintain placement according to 302.2.0
> throughout processing and delivery. The address must not shift into a
> noncompliant position.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

#### ***\[Delete Exhibit 3.2.4,*** Address Placement for Periodicals.\]

#### 

## **\* \* \* \* \***

**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, the label carrier must maintain address
> placement according to 302.2.0 throughout processing and delivery. The
> address on the label carrier must not shift into a noncompliant
> position.

## **\* \* \* \* \***

Neva R. Watson,

*Attorney, Legislative.*

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