[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 3 (Friday, January 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 468-470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9979]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Polywrap Standards for Automation-Rate Flat-Size Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service<SUP>TM</SUP> has simplified the standards 
for polywrap film on automation-rate flat-size mailpieces, so that 
customers only have to meet one set of standards instead of the 
previous two.

DATES: Effective Dates: February 4, 2007, for manufacturers; March 4, 
2007, for mailers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Chatfield, Mailing Standards, 
U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., RM 3436, Washington, DC 
20260-3436; 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Postal Service automated flat sorting 
machines (AFSM 100s) process the majority of non-carrier route flat-
size mail. To improve our ability to process polywrapped pieces on our 
primary flat-mail processing equipment, we published a proposed rule in 
the Federal Register on August 22, 2006 (71 FR 48868), regarding 
polywrap used on automation-rate flat-size mailpieces.
    Our proposed rule included the following changes:
    <bullet> We removed two characteristics, tensile strength and 
density, because they were irrelevant to performance.
    <bullet> We removed the ``USPS AFSM 100 Approved Polywrap'' 
endorsement requirement.
    <bullet> We modified the testing protocol to measure the minimum 
film-to-metal coefficient of friction.
    <bullet> We increased the allowable film-to-film coefficient of 
friction to be more compatible with mailer bindery operations.
    <bullet> We changed the method to measure blocking to more closely 
match the environment that mailpieces undergo during normal 
transportation and storage.
    The new standards eliminate the difference in polywrap 
specifications for mailpieces designed for processing on the AFSM 100 
and the upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000.

Comments Received

    We received comments and questions on the proposed rule from two 
customers. One customer suggested that we allow successful testing of 
the thinnest gauge of a specific polywrap film to suffice for 
certification of all thicknesses of the same film. We made that change 
in the final standards.
    Another customer raised several questions. One question pertained 
to how the Postal Service would process UFSM 1000 pieces in the future. 
Pieces with polywrap meeting either the old specifications or the new 
specifications may be processed on a UFSM 1000 machine. Another 
question was about how the changes would impact the standard that 
requires a ``Periodicals'' endorsement for mailpieces with a wrapper. 
This rule does not change any standards for Periodicals, but, as 
information, the ``Periodicals'' endorsement may be placed on either 
the mailpiece contents or the polywrap. Another question was about 
polywrap film meeting all of the new specifications except haze when 
the address information is on the outside of the film. Such a film will 
remain eligible as it is under current standards.
    A customer commented about the testing specification, USPS-T-3204, 
Test Procedures for Automatable Polywrap Films, listed on our Rapid 
Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS). The specification indicated 
that the tests were required for polywrap film used on AFSM 100-
qualifying pieces, whereas the proposed rule stated that the new 
standards would apply for polywrap used on all automation-rate flats. 
We revised the testing specification to indicate that the new 
specifications apply to polywrap used on all automation-rate flats. The 
customer also questioned if the supplementary testing indicated in the 
specification would be required in addition to the American Society for 
Testing and Materials (ASTM) tests. As noted in the testing 
specification, some of the testing methods required are necessary 
supplements to each other.

New Test Procedures

    To ensure that all manufacturers use the same criteria in meeting 
the new specifications, we developed USPS-T-3204, Test Procedures for 
Automatable Polywrap Films. Manufacturers may obtain the new test 
procedures at http://ribbs.usps.gov (click on ``Polywrap 
Manufacturers'' in the left frame) or by contacting the Postal 
Service's Engineering office at: Engineering, Flat Mail Technology, 
U.S. Postal Service, 8403 Lee Hwy, Merrifield VA 22082-8101.
    The specification describes exact test procedures and acceptable 
values for polywrap film characteristics. If the manufacturer lacks the 
facilities or experience to conduct each of the test procedures in 
USPS-T-3204, the specification also provides a list of

[[Page 469]]

testing laboratories that have experience in conducting these tests.

Polywrap Certification

    Currently, manufacturers must provide us with a certificate stating 
that their film complies with polywrap specifications before we include 
the film in the list of approved polywrap for flat-size mailpieces 
mailed at automation rates.
    We will require manufacturers to provide an updated certificate of 
conformance on their letterhead to the Postal Service's Mailing 
Standards office after verifying that each polywrap film meets the new 
characteristics. The certificate of conformance must state the values 
of the six characteristics for each film to be listed as approved.

Implementation

    As of February 4, 2007, polywrap not meeting the new standards will 
no longer be listed as approved for automation rates, but we will allow 
mailpieces presented with ``old'' polywrap on automation-rate flats 
through March 3, 2007. The conditions for mailing are as follows:
    <bullet> Mailpieces with polywrap approved for AFSM 100 pieces 
under the ``old'' standards will be accepted at automation flat rates 
through March 3, 2007.
    <bullet> Beginning March 4, 2007, mailers who present polywrapped 
flats that do not meet the new standards for polywrap may request an 
exception to the new standards in writing. Requests will be handled on 
a case-by-case basis.
    We will incorporate the following revisions into the next printed 
version of Mailing Standards of the United States Post Service, 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) and into the next monthly update of the 
online DMM available via Postal Explorer[supreg] at pe.usps.com. We 
encourage manufacturers to certify their polywrap under the new 
standards as soon as possible, but no later than February 3, 2007. We 
encourage mailers to use polywrap meeting the new specifications on 
their mailpieces as soon as practical. Beginning March 4, 2007, all 
polywrap films used an automation-rate flat-size mailpieces must meet 
the new standards.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.


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

300 Discount Flats

301 Physical Standards

* * * * *
3.0 Physical Standards for Automation Flats
* * * * *

3.5 Polywrap Coverings

3.5.1 Polywrap Films

    [Revise 3.5.1 by changing the introduction and removing items a and 
b to eliminate the distinction between polywrap used on pieces 
qualifying for the AFSM 100 and the UFSM 1000, as follows:]
    Polywrapped flat-size mailpieces claimed at automation rates must 
meet the standards in 3.5 Film approved for use under 3.5.4 and 3.5.5 
must meet the specifications in Exhibit 3.5.1. If mailers affix the 
address label to the outside of the polywrap, the film need not meet 
the haze property.
    [Revise title of Exhibit 3.5.1 as follows:]
Exhibit 3.5.1 Polywrap Specifications
    [Revise Exhibit 3.5.1 by changing the introduction, eliminating the 
distinction between AFSM 100 and UFSM 1000 pieces, removing current 
properties 4 and 5 and renumbering current properties 6 through 8 as 
new properties 4 through 6, changing the specifications and testing 
methods for coefficients of friction, revising the comments for 
``blocking,'' and specifying testing methods, as follows:]
    Effective March 4, 2007, mailers who polywrap automation-rate flats 
must use polywrap that meets all of the properties in this exhibit.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Test methods in USPS T-
             Property                       Requirement                    3204                    Comment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Kinetic Coefficient of
 Friction, MD:
    a. Film on Stainless Steel      <0.45.....................  USPS-T-3204.
     with No. 8 (Mirror) Finish.                                Section 4.5.2.............
    b. Film on Film...............  0.20 to 0.55..............  USPS-T-3204.
                                                                Section 4.5.1.............
2. Haze...........................  <70.......................  USPS-T-3204...............  Affixing address
                                                                Section 4.5.3.............   labels to outside
                                                                                             of polywrap is an
                                                                                             alternative to
                                                                                             meeting this
                                                                                             requirement.
3. Secant Modulus, 1% elongation:
    a. TD.........................  >50,000 psi...............  USPS-T-3204.
                                                                Section 4.5.4.............
    b. MD.........................  >40,000 psi...............  USPS-T-3204.
                                                                Section 4.5.4.............
4. Nominal Gauge..................  >0.001 in.................  USPS-T-3204.
                                                                Section 4.5.5.............
5. Static Charge..................  <2.0 kV...................  USPS-T-3204.
                                                                Section 4.5.7.............
6. Blocking.......................  <15 g.....................  USPS-T-3204...............  To be conducted at
                                                                Section 4.5.6.............   140 (<plus-
                                                                                             minus>3.6[deg])
                                                                                             degrees Fahrenheit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    [Delete 3.5.4 to remove the requirement for markings on polywrap.] 
[Renumber current 3.5.5 as new 3.5.4 and revise the title and text to 
require polywrap meeting new standards as of March 4, 2007, as 
follows:]
3.5.4 Polywrap on Mailpieces
    Effective March 4, 2007, mailers claiming automation flat rates for 
polywrapped pieces must use polywrap that meets the new specifications 
in 3.5.1. Only products listed on the USPS RIBBS Web site (http://ribbs.usps.gov) may be used on automation-rate flats. [Add new 3.5.5 to 
specify the

[[Page 470]]

certification process for polywrap manufacturers, as follows:]
3.5.5 Polywrap Certification Process for Manufacturers
    To ensure that all polywrap manufacturers use the same criteria in 
meeting the new specifications, the Postal Service developed 
specification USPS-T-3204, Test Procedures for Automatable Polywrap 
Films. This specification describes exact test procedures and 
acceptable values for polywrap film characteristics. Independent 
testing laboratories may certify products for manufacturers who do not 
have the facilities or experience to conduct each of the test 
procedures in specification USPS-T-3204. The specification includes a 
list of laboratories experienced in conducting these tests. Customers 
may obtain the new test procedures by contacting USPS Engineering (see 
608.8.1 for address) or on the USPS RIBBS Web site (http://ribbs.usps.gov). Effective February 4, 2007, manufacturers must submit 
a letter, on their letterhead, indicating the value for each of the 
specifications in 3.5.1 for each polywrap film, to USPS Mailing 
Standards (see 608.8.1 for address). Manufacturers are encouraged to 
submit the certificate of conformance before February 4, 2007. When 
USPS receives the certificate of conformance, films with values meeting 
the standards will be listed on http://ribbs.usps.gov. Manufacturers 
should follow this process before submitting the letter certifying 
compliance with the specifications:
    a. Test each film according to procedures listed in USPS-T-3204, 
Test Procedures for Automatable Polywrap Films.
    b. Test each surface treatment separately. Manufacturers may test 
the thinnest film of one product with identical surface treatment and 
characteristics. If the thinnest film satisfactorily meets the 
characteristics after being tested, USPS will list the product as 
approved for all gauges of that product that also meet the gauge test.
* * * * *

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 06-9979 Filed 1-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-M