[Federal Register: October 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 205)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 57419-57421]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc99-20]

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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Processing Instructions for Nonautomation Mail and Revisions to
Letter Tray Labels

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes revisions to the Domestic Mail
Manual that will allow mailers to choose to exclude their letter-size
mail from any automated processing involved with initial distribution
of mail, including

[[Page 57420]]

tabbing and labeling machines, barcode sorters, and optical character
readers. The proposal also revises Line 2 of tray labels, replacing
``NON OCR'' with ``NON BC'' for Presorted First-Class Mail letters and
Presorted Standard Mail (A) letters. Line 2 of tray labels for
Periodicals letters already reflect ``NON BC.''

DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 9, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Processing
Operations, USPS Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 7631,
Washington DC 20260-2814. Copies of all written comments will be
available for inspection and photocopying at USPS 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: Jamie Gallagher, (202) 268-4031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Processing letter-size mail has been
revolutionized during the last decade as the Postal Service deployed a
network of automated equipment. With the installation of more than
11,500 optical readers and delivery barcode sorters, the Postal Service
now processes nearly 95% of letter mail through automated operations.
Leading-edge tabbing machines and labeling systems are among the newest
additions to the array of automated postal equipment. Today's
automation infrastructure increases mail processing efficiency, which
holds down postage rates.
    There are a growing number of mailers who lower their costs by
forgoing envelopes and folding or binding their mailpieces. Typically,
these are smaller firms that do not want to invest the time and capital
necessary to meet requirements for higher postage discounts. During
postal processing, mailpieces with unsealed edges frequently get torn
or damaged. Mailpieces with open edges also can jam postal equipment,
which reduces processing efficiency. As a result, some postal
facilities affix tabs to the open edges of letter-size mail (e.g.,
self-mailers, booklets, double postcards).
    Postal tabbing machines use one or two translucent seals to secure
the leading edge of a mailpiece. Typically, the leading edge is the
right side of the mailpiece as the address is read. Postal tabbing
stabilizes the mailpiece and minimizes damage that occurs with the
quick acceleration and high-speed transport of optical character
readers and barcode sorters.
    The Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) and the Postal
Service recently discussed mailer concerns about postal tabbing. While
the Postal Service will continue to maximize the amount of letter mail
processed through automation, alternatives for mailers who do not want
mail tabbed or processed through other automated equipment were
considered. The final recommendation was for mailers to have the option
to use new tray labels to designate the trays of mail that should be
excluded from all automated processing. To identify these trays
further, the Postal Service is adding four unique content identifier
numbers (CINs) for mailers to use with barcoded tray labels. At this
time, barcoded tray labels are optional for non-automation rate
mailings.
    While the new tray label should provide adequate identification of
5-digit letters that fill a 5-digit tray, facing slips printed with
``DO NOT AUTOMATE'' must be applied to required 3-digit, ADC, and mixed
ADC packages. Mailer's use of facing slips will ensure proper
identification of bundles for manual processing in downstream
operations.
    The introduction of nonautomation CINs provides the opportunity to
restructure and simplify an existing, related series of mailer CIN
codes, the ``NON OCR'' series. Initially used to identify nonautomation
rate mail, ``NON OCR'' CINs also served as a means for mailers to
indicate a preference for nonautomated processing for First-Class Mail
letters and Standard Mail (A) letters. Replacing ``NON OCR'' CINs with
the more widely used ``NON BC'' CINs will standardize human-readable
content lines of tray labels.
    The Postal Service proposes to implement these new mailing
standards on April 1, 2000.
    Although 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), the Postal Service invites comments on
the following proposed revisions to the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM),
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39
CFR part 111.

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. 5552(a): 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414,
3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

    2. Revise the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual as set
forth below:

M  Mail Preparation and Sortation

* * * * *

M032  Barcoded Labels

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.3a  3-Digit Content Identifier Numbers

* * * * *
    [Amend Exhibit 1.3a as follows:]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Human-readable content
         Class and mailing             CIN               line
------------------------------------------------------------------------

*                  *                  *                  *
                  *                  *                  *
                            FIRST-CLASS MAIL
               FCM Letters--Presorted (Basic Preparation)
      [Revise the following CIN and human-readable content lines:]
5-digit trays......................      250  FCM LTRS 5D NON BC
3-digit trays......................      253  FCM LTRS 3D NON BC
ADC trays..........................      256  FCM LTRS ADC NON BC
mixed ADC trays....................      259  FCM LTRS NON BC WKG
                          [Add a new category:]
           FCM Letters--Presorted (Nonautomation Processing)
5-digit trays......................      267  FCM LTRS 5D MANUAL
all other required trays...........      268  FCM LTRS MANUAL ONLY

[[Page 57421]]

*                  *                  *                  *
                  *                  *                  *
                            STANDARD MAIL (A)
               STD Letters--Presorted (Basic Preparation)
      [Revise the following CIN and human-readable content lines:]
5-digit trays......................      550  STD LTRS 5D NON BC
3-digit trays......................      553  STD LTRS 3D NON BC
ADC trays..........................      556  STD LTRS ADC NON BC
mixed ADC trays....................      559  STD LTRS NON BC WKG
                          [Add a new category:]
           STD Letters--Presorted (Nonautomation Processing)
5-digit trays......................      604  STD LTRS 5D MANUAL
all other required trays...........      605  STD LTRS MANUAL ONLY
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

M130  Presorted First-Class Mail

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *
1.5  Processing Instructions
    [Revise 1.5 to read as follows:]
    If a mailer prefers that the USPS not automate letter-size pieces
presented at Presorted rates, then the mailer must use the Line 2 tray
label information in 2.4. The mailer must prepare all required trays in
2.2.
* * * * *
2.0  REQUIRED PREPARATION--LETTER-AND CARD-SIZED PIECES
* * * * *
    [Revise 2.3 to read as follows:]

2.3  Tray Line 2

    Line 2:
    a. 5-digit: ``FCM LTRS 5D NON BC.''
    b. 3-digit: ``FCM LTRS NON BC.''
    c. ADC: ``FCM LTRS ADC NON BC.''
    d. Mixed ADC: ``FCM LTRS NON BC WKG.''
    [Add new 2.4 to read as follows:]

2.4  Optional Tray Line 2

    For trays that mailers do not want automated under 1.5:
    a. 5-digit: ``FCM LTRS 5D MANUAL.''
    b. All other required trays: ``FCM LTRS MANUAL ONLY.''
* * * * *

M610  PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL (A)

1.0  BASIC STANDARDS
* * * * *

1.4  Processing Instructions

    [Revise 1.4 to read as follows:]
    If a mailer prefers that the USPS not automate letter-size pieces
presented at Presorted rates, then the mailer must use the Line 2 tray
label information in 2.4. The mailer must prepare all required trays in
2.2.
* * * * *
    [Revise 2.3 to read as follows:]

2.3  Tray Line 2

    Line 2:
    a. 5-digit: ``STD LTRS 5D NON BC.''
    b. 3-digit: ``STD LTRS NON BC.''
    c. ADC: ``STD LTRS ADC NON BC.''
    d. Mixed ADC: ``STD LTRS NON BC WKG.''
    [Add new 2.4 to read as follows:]

2.4  Optional Tray Line 2

    For trays that mailers do not want automated under 1.5:
    a. 5-digit: ``STD LTRS 5D MANUAL.''
    b. All other required trays: ``STD LTRS MANUAL ONLY.''
* * * * *
    An amendment to 39 CFR 111.3 will be published to reflect these
changes if the proposal is adopted.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 99-27679 Filed 10-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P