12764 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

POSTAL SERVICE 

39 CFR Part 111 

POSTNET Barcode Discontinuation 

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM. 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes 

to revise various sections of the Mailing 

Standards of the United States Postal 

Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 

to set the timetable for discontinuing the 

use of POSTNETTM barcodes on all 

types of mail for price eligibility. 

DATES: We must receive comments on or 

before April 2, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written 

comments to the Manager, Product 

Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 

L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446, 

Washington, DC 20260–5015. You may 

inspect and photocopy all written 

comments at USPS® Headquarters 

Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th 

Floor N, Washington, DC by 

appointment only between the hours of 

9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 

Friday by calling 1–202–268–2906 in 

advance. Email comments, containing 

the name and address of the commenter, 

may be sent to: 

MailingStandards@usps.gov, with a 

subject line of ‘‘POSTNET 

Discontinuation.’’ 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill 

Chatfield, 202–268–7278 or Jeff 

Freeman, 202–268–2922. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Postal Service’s proposed rule 

includes the basis for discontinuing use 

of POSTNET barcodes and allowing 

only Intelligent Mail® barcodes (IMbTM) 

for automation price eligibility 

purposes. The Postal Service 

understands that many mailers 

currently use POSTNET barcodes and 

we are committed to providing 

information to and working with 

individual mailers and software 

providers to ensure that the use of an 

Intelligent Mail barcode is achievable 

for all mailing customers. This proposed 

rule also contains the proposed 

revisions to the DMM to implement the 

changes. 

Proposed Change for Letters and Flats 

For the past several years, both 

USPS® and the mailing industry have 

used the Intelligent Mail barcode to gain 

information about letters and flats as 

they move from induction to delivery. 

Postal customers use this information 

for numerous purposes: to anticipate 

store traffic, to coordinate sales and 

marketing efforts, and to design better 

‘‘just in time’’ inventory and fulfillment 

systems. USPS also uses this 

information for multiple purposes: to 

fulfill regulatory commitments, to 

manage staffing and workload, and to 

improve service. We are proposing that 

the use of the IMb would be required for 

all automation letters, including 

Business Reply Mail® letters that qualify 

for Qualified Business Reply Mail prices 

and Permit Reply Mail letters, and 

automation flats by January 2013. 

Proposed Change for Letters Only 

We propose to revise DMM 202.5.0 to 

require barcode clear zones on all letters 

and cards claiming an automation letter 

price or automation carrier route letter 

price, and to require all machinable 

letters to have barcode clear zones. 

Reserving a barcode clear zone in the 

bottom right of the mailpiece allows for 

postal equipment to print and read 

barcode routing information in cases 

where no customer-applied address 

block barcode is present, or is 

unreadable. It reduces processing costs 

by increasing barcode recognition rates, 

keeping mail on automation equipment, 

and ensures mailpiece visibility. 

Standards for background and print 

reflectance (in DMM 708.4.4) are also 

needed to ensure readability of barcodes 

in the clear zone. 

Proposed Changes for Parcels 

Currently, the POSTNET barcode is 

an available option to satisfy the parcel 

barcode requirement for Standard Mail®

parcels. We propose to eliminate the use 

of the POSTNET barcode on parcels, 

unless it is printed in the address block. 

eVS® parcels would not be allowed to 

bear POSTNET barcodes in any 

location. 

General 

We encourage customers to comment 

on the proposed changes. This proposed 

rule provides the opportunity for 

mailers to make adjustments to their 

operations before the effective date. 

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); 13 U.S.C 301– 

307; 18 U.S.C. 1692–1737:39 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: 

Mailing Standards of the United States 

Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 

(DMM) 

* * * * * 

200 Commercial Letters and Cards 

201 Physical Standards 

* * * * * 

3.0 Physical Standards for 

Machinable and Automation Letters 

and Cards 

3.1 Basic Standards for Automation 

Letters and Cards 

Letters and cards claimed at any 

machinable, automation, or Standard 

Mail automation carrier route letter 

price, must meet the standards in 3.0 

and in 202.5.1 for barcode clear zone. 

Unless prepared as a folded self-mailer, 

booklet, or postcard under 3.14 through 

3.16, each machinable or automation 

letter must be a sealed envelope (the 

preferred method) or, if unenveloped, 

must be sealed or glued completely 

along all four sides. 

* * * * * 

3.17 Enclosed Reply Cards and 

Envelopes 

3.17.1 Basic Standard 

Mailers may enclose reply cards or 

envelopes, addressed for return to a 

domestic delivery address, within 

automation mailings subject to 

provisions in 3.0 for enclosures. See 

505.1.0 for Business Reply Mail (BRM) 

standards, 604.4.5.2 for postage 

evidencing reply mail (also known as 

Metered Reply Mail or MRM) standards, 

and 3.17.2 regarding Courtesy Reply 

Mail (CRM). 

[Revise the tile and text of 3.17.2 as 

follows:] 

3.17.2 Courtesy Reply Mail 

Courtesy reply mail (CRM) is reply 

mail other than BRM or MRM enclosed 

in other mail, with or without 

prepayment of postage, for return to the 

address on the reply piece. If postage is 

required, the customer returning the 

piece affixes the applicable First-Class 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Proposed Rules 12765 

Mail postage. Each piece must meet the 

physical standards in 1.0 or 2.0. 

* * * * * 

202 Elements on the Face of a 

Mailpiece 

* * * * * 

3.0 Placement and Content of Mail 

Markings 

* * * * * 

3.5 Exceptions to Markings 

Exceptions are as follows: 

[Revise the first sentence in item 3.5a 

as follows:] 

a. Automation letters. Automation 

letters do not require an ‘‘AUTO’’ 

marking if they bear an Intelligent Mail 

barcode with a delivery point routing 

code in the address block or on an insert 

visible through a window. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Barcode Placement 

5.1 Barcode Clear Zone 

[Revise the first sentence of 5.1 as 

follows:] 

Each letter-size piece in mailings at 

machinable letter prices and in 

automation or Enhanced Carrier Route 

mailings at automation letter prices 

must have a barcode clear zone as 

described below. * * * 

* * * * * 

5.2 General Barcode Placement for 

Letters 

[Revise the first sentence of 5.2, and 

add a new second sentence, as follows:] 

Automation price letters and letters 

claimed at automation Enhanced Carrier 

Route saturation or high density prices 

must bear an Intelligent Mail barcode 

with a delivery point routing code. A 

nonautomation letter may bear an 

Intelligent Mail barcode or a POSTNET 

barcode, under 708.4.0. * * * 

* * * * * 

5.4 5-Digit and ZIP+4 Barcode 

Permissibility 

[Revise the first two sentences of 5.4 

as follows:] 

An automation letter or a letter 

claimed at automation Enhanced Carrier 

Route saturation or high density prices 

may not bear a 5-digit or ZIP+4 barcode 

in the lower right corner (barcode clear 

zone). The piece may bear a 5-digit or 

ZIP+4 barcode in the address block only 

if an Intelligent Mail barcode with a 

delivery point routing code appears in 

the lower right corner. 

* * * * * 

[Delete current 5.6, DPBC Numeric 

Equivalent, in its entirety, and renumber 

current 5.7 through 5.11 as new 5.6 

through 5.10.] 

5.6 Barcode in Address Block 

When the barcode is included as part 

of the address block: 

* * * * * 

[Revise renumbered items 5.6c 

through 5.6e as follows:] 

c. The minimum clearance between 

the Intelligent Mail barcode and any 

information line above or below it 

within the address block must be at 

least 0.028 inch. The separation 

between the barcode and top line or 

bottom line of the address block must 

not exceed 0.625 (5⁄8) inch. The 

clearance between the leftmost and 

rightmost bars and any adjacent printing 

must be at least 0.125 (1⁄8) inch. 

d. If a window envelope is used, the 

clearance between the leftmost and 

rightmost bars and any printing or 

window edge must be at least 0.125 (1⁄8) 

inch. The clearance between the 

Intelligent Mail barcode and the top and 

bottom window edges must be at least 

0.028 inch. These clearances must be 

maintained during the insert’s range of 

movement in the envelope. Address 

block windows on heavy letter mail 

must be covered. Covers for address 

block windows are subject to 5.10. 

e. If an address label is used, a clear 

space of at least 0.125 (1⁄8) inch must be 

left between the barcode and the left 

and right edges of the address label. The 

clearance between the Intelligent Mail 

barcode and the top and bottom edges 

of the address label must be at least 

0.028 inch. 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of renumbered 5.7 as 

follows:] 

5.7 Barcode on Insert in Barcode 

Window 

If the barcode is printed on an insert 

to appear through a barcode window in 

the lower right corner of an envelope: 

[Revise renumbered item 5.7a as 

follows:] 

a. The envelope and window must 

meet the physical standards in 5.9 

through 5.10. 

* * * * * 

[Revise renumbered item 5.7c as 

follows:] 

c. When the insert showing through 

the window is moved to any of its limits 

inside the envelope, the entire barcode 

must remain within the barcode clear 

zone. In addition, a clear space must be 

maintained that is at least 0.125 (1⁄8) 

inch between the barcode and the left 

and right edges of the window, at least 

0.1875 (3⁄16) inch between the barcode 

and the bottom edge of the mailpiece, 

and at least 0.028 inch between the 

barcode and the top edge of the 

window. 

* * * * * 

220 Priority Mail 

223 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail 

* * * * * 

3.2 Additional Standards for Critical 

Mail Letters 

* * * Critical Mail letters also must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 3.2b as follows:] 

b. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets address quality standards in 

233.5.5 and 708.3.0. 

* * * * * 

230 First-Class Mail 

233 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

4.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Nonautomation First-Class Mail 

Letters 

* * * * * 

4.2 Barcodes 

[Revise the text of 4.2 as follows:] 

Any Intelligent Mail barcode on a 

mailpiece in nonautomation First-Class 

Mail mailings must be correct for the 

delivery address and meet the standards 

in 202.5.0, 708.3.0, and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Automation First-Class Mail Letters 

5.1 Basic Standards for Automation 

First-Class Mail Letters 

All pieces in a First-Class Mail 

automation mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 5.1e as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

5.5 Address Standards for Barcoded 

Pieces 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 5.5.3 as 

follows:] 

5.5.3 Numeric Delivery Point Routing 

Code 

The numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code is formed by 

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12766 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

adding two digits directly after the 

ZIP+4 code. 

* * * * * 

[Delete 5.6, Reply Cards and 

Envelopes Enclosed in Automation Price 

First-Class Mail, in its entirety.] 

* * * * * 

240 Standard Mail 

243 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

3.0 Basic Standards for Standard Mail 

Letters 

* * * * * 

3.3 Additional Basic Standards for 

Standard Mail 

Each Standard Mail mailing is subject 

to these general standards: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 3.3i as follows:] 

i. Any Intelligent Mail barcode on a 

mailpiece must be correct for the 

delivery address and meet the standards 

in 202.5.0, 708.3.0, and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Enhanced Carrier Route Standard 

Mail Letters 

6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route 

Standards 

* * * * * 

6.1.2 Basic Eligibility Standards 

All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier 

Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standard Mail mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 6.1.2d as follows:] 

d. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets these address quality standards: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 6.1.2g as follows:] 

g. Meet the requirements for 

automation compatibility in 201.3.0 and 

bear an accurate Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, except 

as provided in 6.1.2h. Pieces prepared 

with a simplified address format are 

exempt from the automationcompatibility and barcode requirements. 

Letters entered under the full-service 

Intelligent Mail automation option also 

must meet the standards in 705.24.0. 

* * * * * 

6.4 High Density Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standards 

[Revise the title and text of 6.4.1 as 

follows:] 

6.4.1 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for High Density Prices 

In addition to the eligibility standards 

in 6.1, high density letter-size 

mailpieces must be in a full carrier route 

tray or in a carrier route bundle of 10 

or more pieces placed in a 5-digit (or 3- 

digit) carrier routes tray. Except for 

pieces with a simplified address, pieces 

that are not automation-compatible or 

not barcoded are mailable only at the 

nonautomation high density letter 

prices. 

* * * * * 

6.5 Saturation ECR Standards 

[Revise the title and text of 6.5.1 as 

follows:] 

6.5.1 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Saturation Prices 

In addition to the eligibility standards 

in 6.1, saturation letter-size mailpieces 

must be in a full carrier route tray or in 

a carrier route bundle of 10 or more 

pieces placed in a 5-digit (or 3-digit) 

carrier tray. Except for pieces with a 

simplified address, pieces that are not 

automation-compatible or not barcoded 

are mailable at nonautomation 

saturation letter prices. 

* * * * * 

7.0 Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail 

or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation 

mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 7.1d as follows:] 

d. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets these address quality standards: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 7.1e as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

7.5 Address Standards for Barcoded 

Pieces 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 7.5.3 as 

follows:] 

7.5.3 Numeric Delivery Point Routing 

Code 

The numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code is formed by 

adding two digits directly after the 

ZIP+4 code. 

* * * * * 

[Delete 7.6, Enclosed Reply Cards and 

Envelopes, in its entirety.] 

[Renumber current 7.7 as new 7.6.] 

* * * * * 

300 Commercial Mail Flats 

* * * * * 

302 Elements on the Face of a 

Mailpiece 

* * * * * 

2.0 Address Placement 

* * * * * 

2.4 Type Size and Line Spacing 

* * * These additional standards 

apply to automation pieces: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 2.4c as follows:] 

c. For pieces that bear 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) if all capital 

letters are used. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Barcode Placement 

[Revise the title and text of 5.1 as 

follows:] 

5.1 Barcode Placement for Flats 

On any flat-size piece claimed at 

automation prices, the piece may bear 

one Intelligent Mail barcode. The 

barcode may be anywhere on the 

address side as long as it is at least 1⁄8

inch from any edge of the piece. The 

portion of the surface of the piece on 

which the barcode is printed must meet 

the barcode dimensions and spacing 

requirements in 708.4.2.5, and the 

reflectance standards in 708.4.4. 

Intelligent Mail barcodes are subject to 

standards in 708.4.3.2. POSTNET 

barcodes must not appear on the 

address side of any automation flat, but 

a POSTNET barcode (under 708.4.0) 

may appear on the address side of any 

nonautomation flat. Other non-USPS 

barcodes may appear on the address 

side of a flat if the barcode format is not 

discernable to automated postal 

equipment. 

* * * * * 

[Delete current 5.2, Applying One 

Barcode, and 5.3, Applying Second 

Barcode, in their entirety.] 

[Renumber current 5.4 through 5.7 as 

new 5.2 through 5.5.] 

5.2 5-Digit and ZIP+4 Barcodes 

[Revise the text of renumbered 5.2 as 

follows:] 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Proposed Rules 12767 

An automation flat-size piece must 

not bear a 5-digit or a ZIP + 4 barcode. 

[Revise the title and text of 

renumbered 5.3 as follows:] 

5.3 Delivery Point Routing Code 

Numeric Equivalent 

In automation mailings only, the 

numbers corresponding to the delivery 

point routing code may appear in the 

delivery address. If read from left to 

right: a correct numeric equivalent 

consists of five digits, a hyphen, and 

seven digits. 

5.4 Barcode in Address Block 

When an Intelligent Mail barcode is 

included as part of the address block: 

* * * * * 

[Revise renumbered items 5.4c 

through 5.4e as follows:] 

c. The minimum clearance between 

the barcode and any information line 

above or below it within the address 

block must be at least 0.028 inch, and 

the separation between the barcode and 

top line or bottom line of the address 

block must not exceed 0.625 (5⁄8) inch. 

The clearance between the leftmost and 

rightmost bars and any adjacent printing 

must be at least 0.125 (1⁄8) inch. 

d. If a window envelope is used, the 

clearance between the leftmost and 

rightmost bars and any printing or 

window edge must be at least 0.125 (1⁄8) 

inch, and the clearance between the 

barcode and the top and bottom window 

edges must be at least 0.028 inch. These 

clearances must be maintained during 

the insert’s range of movement in the 

envelope. Covers for address block 

windows are subject to 5.5. Window 

envelopes also must meet the 

specifications in 601.6.3. 

e. If an address label is used, a clear 

space of at least 0.125 (1⁄8) inch must be 

left between the barcode and the left 

and right edges of the address label, and 

the clearance between the barcode and 

the top and bottom edges of the address 

label must be at least 0.028 inch. 

* * * * * 

320 Priority Mail 

323 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

3.0 Basic Standards for Priority Mail 

* * * * * 

3.2 Additional Standards for Critical 

Mail Flats 

[Revise the introductory text of 3.2 as 

follows:] 

Critical Mail, a category of Priority 

Mail, is available for barcoded, 

automation-compatible letters and 

barcoded, automation flats. With the 

exception of restricted mail as described 

in 601.8.0, any mailable matter may be 

mailed via Critical Mail. USPSproduced Critical Mail flat-size 

envelopes must be used for all Critical 

Mail flats. Flats may not exceed 13 

ounces in weight. Critical Mail flats also 

must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 3.2b as follows:] 

b. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets address quality standards in 

333.5.5 and 708.3.0. 

* * * * * 

330 First-Class Mail 

333 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

4.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Nonautomation First-Class Mail 

Flats 

* * * * * 

4.2 Barcodes on Nonautomation FirstClass Mail 

[Revise the text of 4.2 as follows:] 

Any barcode on a mailpiece in a FirstClass Mail nonautomation flats mailing 

must be correct for the delivery address 

and meet the standards in 708.3.0 and 

708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Automation First-Class Mail Flats 

5.1 Basic Standards for Automation 

First-Class Mail 

All pieces in a First-Class Mail 

automation flats mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise items 5.1d through e as 

follows:] 

d. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets these address quality standards: 

1. The address matching and coding 

standards in 5.5 and 708.3.0. 

2. If an alternative addressing format 

is used, the additional standards in 

602.3.0. 

e. Bear an accurate Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either 

on the piece or on an insert showing 

through a window. 

* * * * * 

5.5 Address Standards for Barcoded 

Pieces 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 5.5.3 as 

follows:] 

5.5.3 Numeric Delivery Point Routing 

Code 

A numeric equivalent of the delivery 

point routing code consists of five digits 

followed by a hyphen and six digits as 

specified in 708.4.2.4. The numeric 

equivalent is formed by adding two 

digits directly after the ZIP+4 code. 

* * * * * 

[Delete 5.6, Reply Cards and 

Envelopes Enclosed in Automation Price 

First-Class Mail, in its entirety.] 

* * * * * 

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 3.3i as follows:] 

i. Any barcode on a mailpiece must be 

correct for the delivery address and 

meet the standards in 302.5.0, 708.3.0, 

and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Enhanced Carrier Route Standard 

Mail Flats 

6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route 

Standards 

* * * * * 

6.1.2 Basic Eligibility Standards 

All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier 

Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier 

Route Standard Mail mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 6.1.2d as follows:] 

d. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets these address quality standards: 

* * * * * 

7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Automation Standard Mail Flats 

7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Automation Standard Mail 

All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail 

or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation 

mailing must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 7.1d as follows:] 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

12768 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

d. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets these address quality standards: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 7.1e as follows:] 

e. Bear an accurate Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code, matching 

the delivery address and meeting the 

standards in 302.5.0, and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

7.4 Address Standards for Barcoded 

Pieces 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 7.4.3 as 

follows:] 

7.4.3 Numeric Delivery Point Routing 

Code 

A numeric equivalent of the delivery 

point routing code consists of five digits 

followed by a hyphen and six digits as 

specified in 708.4.2. The numeric 

equivalent is formed by adding two 

digits directly after the ZIP+4 code. 

* * * * * 

[Delete 7.5, Enclosed Reply Cards and 

Envelopes, in its entirety.] 

* * * * * 

360 Bound Printed Matter 

363 Prices and Eligibility 

1.0 Prices and Fees for Bound Printed 

Matter 

* * * * * 

1.1.4 Barcoded Discount—Flats 

[Revise the text of 1.1.4 as follows:] 

For discount, see Notice 123—Price 

List. See 4.1 and 6.1 for eligibility 

information. 

* * * * * 

4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed 

Matter Flats 

4.1 Price Eligibility 

* * * Price categories are as follows: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 4.1d as follows:] 

d. Barcoded Discount—Flats. The 

barcoded discount applies to BPM flats 

that meet the requirements for 

automation compatibility in 301.3.0 and 

bear an accurate Intelligent Mail 

barcode encoded with the correct 

delivery point routing code. See 6.1 for 

more information. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards 

for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter 

Flats 

6.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for 

Barcoded Bound Printed Matter 

[Revise the text of 6.1 as follows:] 

The barcode discount applies only to 

BPM flat-size pieces that bear an 

Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with 

the correct delivery point routing code, 

matching the delivery address and 

meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 

708.4.0. The pieces must be part of a 

nonpresorted price mailing of 50 or 

more flat-size pieces or part of a presort 

price mailing of at least 300 BPM flatsize pieces prepared under 705.8.0 and 

365.7.0. Pieces may be optionally 

prepared under 705.14.0. The barcode 

discount is not available for flat-size 

pieces mailed at Presorted DDU prices 

or carrier route prices. To qualify for the 

barcode discount, the flat-size pieces 

must meet the standards in 301.3.0. 

* * * * * 

6.4 Address Standards for Barcode 

Discounts 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of 6.4.3 as 

follows:] 

6.4.3 Numeric Delivery Point Routing 

Code 

A numeric equivalent of the delivery 

point routing code consists of five digits 

followed by a hyphen and six digits as 

specified in 708.4.0. The numeric 

equivalent is formed by adding two 

digits directly after the ZIP+4 code. 

* * * * * 

400 Commercial Parcels 

* * * * * 

402 Elements on the Face of a 

Mailpiece 

* * * * * 

4.0 General Barcode Placement for 

Parcels 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title and text of current 4.3 

as follows:] 

4.3 Intelligent Mail Barcodes and 

POSTNET Barcodes 

Intelligent Mail barcodes and 

POSTNET barcodes do not meet barcode 

eligibility requirements for parcels and 

do not qualify for any barcode-related 

prices for parcels, but one barcode may 

be included only in the address block 

on a parcel, except on eVS parcels. An 

Intelligent Mail barcode or POSTNET 

barcode in the address block must be 

placed according to 302.5.4. 

[Delete current 4.3.1, General 

Placement of POSTNET Barcodes, 4.3.2, 

POSTNET Barcode in Address Block, 

and 4.3.3, Window Cover, in their 

entirety.] 

* * * * * 

440 Standard Mail 

443 Prices and Eligibility 

* * * * * 

4.0 Price Eligibility for Standard Mail 

* * * * * 

4.4 Surcharge 

Unless prepared in carrier route or 5- 

digit/scheme containers, Standard Mail 

parcels are subject to a surcharge if: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 4.4c as follows:] 

c. The irregular parcels do not bear a 

GS1–128 routing barcode or an 

Intelligent Mail package barcode for the 

delivery address. 

* * * * * 

6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for 

Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail 

Marketing Parcels 

6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route 

Standards 

* * * * * 

6.1.2 Basic Eligibility Standards 

All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier 

Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier 

Route mailing of Standard Mail 

Marketing parcels must: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 6.1.2d as follows:] 

d. Bear a delivery address that 

includes the correct ZIP Code, ZIP+4 

code, or numeric equivalent to the 

delivery point routing code and which 

meets these addressing standards: 

* * * * * 

500 Additional Mailing Services 

* * * * * 

505 Return Services 

1.0 Business Reply Mail (BRM) 

* * * * * 

1.3 Qualified Business Reply Mail 

(QBRM) Basic Standards 

1.3.1 Description 

Qualified Business Reply Mail 

(QBRM) is First-Class Mail that: 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 1.3.1d as follows:] 

d. Is authorized to mail at QBRM 

prices and fees under 1.3.2. During the 

authorization process, the mailer is 

assigned a unique ZIP+4 code for each 

price category of QBRM to be returned 

under the system (one for card-price 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2012 / Proposed Rules 12769 

pieces, one for letter-size pieces 

weighing 1 ounce or less, and one for 

letter-size pieces weighing over 1 ounce 

up to and including 2 ounces). 

* * * * * 

[Revise item 1.3.1f as follows:] 

f. Bears the correct Intelligent Mail 

barcode that corresponds to the unique 

ZIP+4 code in the address on each piece 

distributed. The barcode must be 

correctly prepared under 1.9 and 

708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

1.8 Format Elements 

1.8.1 General 

* * * * * 

[Revise Exhibit 1.8.1 to depict an IMb 

rather than a POSTNET barcode.] 

* * * * * 

1.8.6 Delivery Address 

The complete address (including the 

permit holder’s name, delivery address, 

city, state, and BRM ZIP Code) must be 

printed directly on the piece, except as 

allowed under 1.7.5 or under item a 

below, subject to these conditions: 

[Revise item 1.8.6a as follows:] 

a. Preprinted labels with only delivery 

address information (including an 

Intelligent Mail barcode under 1.9) are 

permitted, but the permit holder’s name 

and other required elements must be 

printed directly on the BRM piece. 

* * * * * 

1.9 Additional Standards for LetterSize and Flat-Size BRM 

[Revise the text of 1.9 to incorporate 

the current item 1.9a, including items a1 

and a2, into the introductory text and 

revise the new introductory text as 

follows:] 

In addition to the format standards in 

1.8, QBRM letters and cards must be 

barcoded with an Intelligent Mail 

barcode. When an Intelligent Mail 

barcode is printed on any BRM pieces, 

it must contain the barcode ID, service 

type ID, and correct ZIP+4 routing code, 

as specified under 708.4.3. Permit 

holders must use the ZIP+4 codes and 

equivalent Intelligent Mail barcodes 

assigned by the USPS. The IMb must be 

placed on the address side of the piece 

and positioned as part of the delivery 

address block under 202.5.7 or within 

the barcode clear zone in the lower right 

corner of the piece if printed directly on 

the piece. 

* * * * * 

2.0 Permit Reply Mail (PRM) 

* * * * * 

2.3 Format Elements 

2.3.1 General 

[Revise exhibit 2.3.1 to include an IMb 

rather than a POSTNET barcode.] 

* * * * * 

2.3.6 Delivery Address 

[Revise the text of 2.3.6 as follows:] 

The complete address (including the 

permit holder’s name, delivery address, 

city, state, and ZIP+4 code) must be 

printed on the piece. PRM pieces must 

bear an Intelligent Mail barcode 

encoded with the correct delivery point 

routing code, matching the delivery 

address and meeting the standards in 

202.5.0 and 708.4.0. 

* * * * * 

700 Special Standards 

* * * * * 

708 Technical Standards 

* * * * * 

[Revise the title of 4.0 as follows:] 

4.0 Standards for Intelligent Mail and 

POSTNET Barcodes 

4.1 General 

[Revise the text of 4.1 as follows:] 

Intelligent Mail barcodes and 

POSTNET (Postal Numeric Encoding 

Technique) barcodes are USPSdeveloped methods to encode ZIP Code 

information on mail that can be read for 

sorting by automated machines. 

Intelligent Mail barcodes also encode 

other tracking information. POSTNET 

barcodes do not qualify for automation 

pricing. 

* * * * * 

We will publish an appropriate 

amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect 

these changes if our proposal is 

adopted. 

Stanley F. Mires, 

Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice. 

[FR Doc. 2012–5050 Filed 3–1–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 

AGENCY 

40 CFR Part 52 

[EPA–R04–OAR–2011–0850–201154(b); 

FRL–9639–7] 

Approval and Promulgation of 

Implementation Plans; Georgia; 

Macon; Fine Particulate Matter 2002 

Base Year Emissions Inventory 

AGENCY: Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA). 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: EPA is proposing to approve 

the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) 2002 

base year emissions inventory, portion 

of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) 

revision submitted by the State of 

Georgia on August 17, 2009. The 

emissions inventory is part of the 

Macon, Georgia PM2.5 attainment 

demonstration that was submitted for 

the 1997 annual PM2.5 National Ambient 

Air Quality Standards. This action is 

being taken pursuant to section 110 of 

the Clean Air Act. In the Rules Section 

of this Federal Register, EPA is 

approving Georgia’s SIP revision as a 

direct final rule without prior proposal 

because the Agency views this as a 

noncontroversial submittal and 

anticipates no adverse comments. 

DATES: Written comments must be 

received on or before April 2, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, 

identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R04– 

OAR–2011–0850, by one of the 

following methods: 

1. www.regulations.gov: Follow the 

on-line instructions for submitting 

comments. 

2. Email: benjamin.lynorae@epa.gov. 

3. Fax: (404) 562–9019. 

4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2011– 

0850,’’ Regulatory Development Section, 

Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and 

Toxics Management Division, U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency, 

Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street SW., 

Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. 

5. Hand Delivery or Courier: Lynorae 

Benjamin, Regulatory Development 

Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, 

Pesticides and Toxics Management 

Division, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street 

SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Such 

deliveries are only accepted during the 

Regional Office’s normal hours of 

operation. The Regional Office’s official 

hours of business are Monday through 

Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding federal 

holidays. 

Please see the direct final rule which 

is located in the Rules section of this 

Federal Register for detailed 

instructions on how to submit 

comments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sean Lakeman, Regulatory Development 

Section, Air Planning Branch, Air, 

Pesticides and Toxics Management 

Division, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street 

SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. The 

telephone number is (404) 562–9043. 

Mr. Lakeman can be reached via 

electronic mail at 

lakeman.sean@epa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For 

additional information see the direct 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS