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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

 
Revisions to Standards for Walk-Sequenced Bulk Third-Class Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends Domestic Mail Manual standards 
concerning walk-sequenced bulk third-class mail to require an 
identifying marking on each piece.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 10, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Moeller, (202) 268-2660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 20, 1994, the Postal Service 
published for public comment a proposed rule that would amend the 
Domestic Mai Manual (DMM) standards for walk-sequence rate third-class 
mail. 59 FR 37011. Under current DMM section M304.3.2, mailpieces 
claimed at a walk-sequence rate must be so identified either by a 
marking on the piece or by a facing slip on the top of each package of 
such pieces. The proposed rule would make the on-piece rate marking a 
requirement; facing slips would still be allowed, but they would no 
longer fulfill the requirement for identifying the mail as walk-
sequence rate. The proposed requirement would allow the Postal Service 
to quantify more precisely the costs of walk-sequenced mail through its 
existing cost systems.
    The Postal Service received comments on the proposed rule from four 
parties. Only one party recommended retaining the use of facing slips 
as a fulfillment of the requirement to identify walk-sequenced 
mailings. The commenter stated that because only a small segment of 
qualifying mail uses facing slips, the slips should not cause problems 
for the Postal Service. However, allowing facing slips rather than the 
marking could support a contention that some costs were not being 
captured by postal cost systems and thus cast doubt on the validity of 
the resulting cost estimates. The Postal Service feels that the value 
of obtaining reliable cost data for walk-sequenced mail outweighs the 
minor inconvenience that the requirement would cause for this small 
segment of mail.
    Two commenters suggested that the Postal Service require other rate 
markings that would allow an even finer breakdown of costs by its cost 
systems. The Postal Service feels that the additional markings would 
represent a more significant change than what was contained in the 
proposed rule. Moreover, it is unclear that the benefits from more 
detailed costing warrant such a major change in mail preparation 
requirements. Therefore, the Postal Service is limiting this rulemaking 
to the new marking requirements for walk-sequenced mail.
    One commenter sought clarification regarding the application of the 
proposed rule to mailings using detached address cards. Only the 
detached address card will be required to bear the marking, not the 
item accompanying the card.
    Another commenter stated that the requirement of two additional 
characters (WS) takes up more space in an already crowded area. The 
Postal Service is sympathetic to this concern and the final rule has 
been written accordingly to allow the marking WS CAR SORT to be used to 
denote walk-sequene-rated mail.
    After full consideration of the comments received, as discussed 
above, the Postal Service has decided to adopt as the final rule the 
DMM revisions contained in the proposed rule, amended as noted above.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Postal Service.

    For the reasons discussed above, the Postal Service hereby adopts 
the following amendments to the Domestic Mail Manual, which is 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 
CFR part 111).

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

    2. Amend Domestic Mail Manual unit M304 by adding a new subsection 
1.3 and revising subsection 3.2 to read as follows:
M304  Walk-Sequence
1.0  Basic Standards
* * * * *
1.3  Marking
    In addition to the markings required by M303, each piece claimed at 
a walk-sequence rate must be marked ``WS'' immediately preceding either 
the carrier route information on the carrier route information line 
(e.g., **WS CARRIER ROUTE 017) or the carrier route presort marking 
shown in M303 (e.g., WS CAR-RT SORT, or the abbreviated form WS CAR 
SORT). Pieces not claimed at a walk-sequence rate must not bear the 
``WS'' marking.
* * * * *
3.0  Preparation
* * * * *
3.2  Labeling
    In addition to the labeling required in M303, a facing slip with a 
phrase identifying the mail (such as ``WALK-SEQUENCED CARRIER ROUTE 
MAIL'') may be placed on the top of each package. A facing slip does 
not satisfy the marking required on each piece by 1.3.
* * * * *
    [A transmittal letter making these changes in the pages of the 
Domestic Mail Manual will be published and will be transmitted to 
subscribers automatically. Notice of issuance will be published in 
the Federal Register as provided by 39 CFR 111.3.]
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 94-21495 Filed 8-30-94; 8:45 am]