15056 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Address Correction Information

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule sets forth the

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

standards adopted by the Postal Service

to change the ancillary service

endorsements that mailers use to

request an addressee’s new address and

to provide the Postal Service with

instructions on how to handle

undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail.

These new endorsements provide a

simpler and more consistent system

than the one currently in place.

Only four endorsements will be

available. Endorsements will consist of

one keyword: ‘‘Address,’’ ‘‘Forwarding,’’

‘‘Return,’’ or ‘‘Change,’’ followed by the

two words ‘‘Service Requested.’’ The

endorsements will be the same for all

classes of mail, but the treatment for

each class and applicable charges will

generally remain the same as the

treatment under the current system of

endorsements.

DATES: This final rule is effective July 1,

1997. Comments as allowed herein must

be received on or before April 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written

comments to the Manager, Address

Management, U.S. Postal Service, 475

L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 7431,

Washington, DC 20260–6802. Copies of

all written comments will be available

at the above address for inspection and

photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4

p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Rocky Matthews, (202) 268–5790.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

October 10, 1996, the Postal Service

published for public comment in the

Federal Register (61 FR 53280–53285) a

proposed rule to change the ancillary

service endorsements that mailers use to

request an addressee’s new address and

to provide the Postal Service with

instructions on how to handle

undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail.

This final rule contains the DMM

standards adopted by the Postal Service.

Changes introduced since publication of

the proposed rule are enumerated in

section A. Responses to public

comments are provided in section B.

The provision for which comments

are solicited is the new standard applied

to the treatment of unendorsed UAA

Single-Piece Standard Mail as described

in section A.1 and discussed in section

B.2 of this supplementary information.

After considering the potential effect

of this provision, the Postal Service has

determined to allow 15 days for public

comment. First, mailers should have

little difficulty evaluating the effect of

this provision on their operations and

preparing comments in a short period.

Second, the Postal Service wants to

ensure that mailers have sufficient time

after the close of the comment period

and publication of any possible revision

to this final rule to make necessary

changes to their operations before the

July 1, 1997, implementation date. After

review of the comments received, the

Postal Service will modify the

corresponding standard if such

modification is determined to be

appropriate.

A. Changes and Additions Since

Publication of Proposed Rule

This section identifies additions and

changes to the final DMM ancillary

service endorsements that have been

drafted in response to comments on the

proposed rules.

1. A fourth ancillary service

endorsement, ‘‘Forwarding Service

Requested,’’ is added. For First-Class

Mail and Standard Mail (B), the optional

use of this endorsement ensures that

UAA pieces receive the same treatment

accorded these classes of mail not

bearing this or any other endorsement.

For Standard Mail (A), this endorsement

provides for the forwarding and return

of mail without requiring a separate

address correction notification.

2. The ‘‘Change Service Requested’’

endorsement is restricted within FirstClass Mail to electronic Address Change

Service (ACS) participants only. This

restriction is sensible, because it limits

this service to mailers who are most

likely to be familiar with the

consequences of electing this option—

that is, disposal of UAA pieces bearing

this endorsement. The mailer receives a

separate notice of an address change or

reason for nondelivery.

3. Unendorsed single-piece rate

Standard Mail (A) that is undeliverable

as addressed will be discarded by the

Postal Service. An endorsement is

required on the piece if forwarding or

return is desired.

B. Summary of Comments

The Postal Service received 16 pieces

of correspondence offering comments

on the proposed rule. Respondents

included major mailer associations,

marketing groups, individual

publishers, presort bureaus, government

agencies, and other major mailers. The

specific points raised in the comments

are presented in the following

paragraphs.

Five comments were received

regarding the proposed effective date.

Most of the commenters asked for more

time before implementation of the new

ancillary service endorsements,

requesting that the final rules become

effective no earlier than May 1, 1997.

Several commenters recommended that

the Postal Service consider

implementing the change to coincide

with July 1, 1997, which is the effective

date for the Classification Reform move

update requirement for addresses used

on presorted and automation First-Class

Mail. In response, the Postal Service has

postponed the effective date of this

rulemaking to July 1, 1997.

Five commenters stated that by

eliminating the option of using the

endorsement ‘‘Do Not Forward,’’

Standard Mail (A) mailers were being

forced to accept the return of SinglePiece Standard Mail and pay postage

due. Currently, Single-Piece Standard

Mail bearing no endorsement is

returned to sender; all other Standard

Mail (A) without an endorsement is

neither forwarded nor returned. Two

commenters suggested that all

unendorsed Standard Mail (A) be given

the same treatment. The Postal Service

agrees. The current exception for SinglePiece Standard Mail is eliminated. All

unendorsed Standard Mail (A) that is

undeliverable as addressed will be

discarded by the Postal Service. If

forwarding or return is desired, SinglePiece Standard Mail will have to bear an

endorsement.

Six commenters indicated that by

eliminating the option of using the

endorsement ‘‘Forwarding and Return

Postage Guaranteed,’’ Standard Mail (A)

mailers were being forced to receive

unwanted address correction notices.

Several commenters noted that Standard

Mail (A), unlike the other mail classes,

is not provided any forwarding or return

treatment if it lacks an ancillary service

endorsement. In response to these

comments and concerns, the Postal

Service has added ‘‘Forwarding Service

Requested’’ as a fourth ancillary service

endorsement. This endorsement will

replace the current ‘‘Forwarding and

Return Postage Guaranteed’’

endorsement and provide the same

treatment.

Six commenters questioned the need

for the ‘‘Change Service Requested’’

option for First-Class Mail and believed

that the disposal of UAA First-Class

Mail should not be permitted. They

believed that this option could cause

confusion over when it is appropriate to

discard UAA First-Class Mail. In

response, the Postal Service will make

this endorsement option available only

to electronic Address Change Service
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 15057

(ACS) participants. Only after the

Computerized Forwarding System (CFS)

clerk is able to confirm the ACS

participation code will the Postal

Service honor the ‘‘Change Service

Requested’’ endorsement. The CFS will

then transmit an electronic notification

and generate a label directing that the

UAA mailpiece should be discarded by

the Postal Service. This limited access

will ensure that only mailers most

familiar with this service will receive it.

Six commenters requested additional

options that are beyond the scope of this

rulemaking process. These requests

entail changes in rates, rate structure,

and product definitions that are beyond

the scope of this rulemaking.

Under the new rule, only four

ancillary service endorsements will be

available. Endorsements will consist of

one keyword: ‘‘Address,’’ ‘‘Forwarding,’’

‘‘Return,’’ or ‘‘Change,’’ followed by the

two words ‘‘Service Requested.’’ The

endorsements will be the same for all

classes of mail. Treatment for each class

of mail and applicable charges will

remain unchanged with the following

exceptions:

1. First-Class Mail. All current

treatment options will remain available.

In addition, a new option will be

available for requesting that UAA

mailpieces not be forwarded or

returned, but that the mailer be

provided with a separate address

correction, subject to the address

correction fee. This new option will be

available under the endorsement

‘‘Change Service Requested.’’ For FirstClass Mail, this option will be available

only via electronic Address Change

Service (ACS) participation.

2. Standard Mail (A) Single-Piece

Rate. Currently, a mailer has the option

of endorsing the mailpiece ‘‘Do Not

Forward’’ to request that the Postal

Service discard the piece if it is

undeliverable, with no forwarding, no

return, and no address correction

provided. Under the new rule, the

treatment given to pieces bearing this

endorsement will become the default

method of handling unendorsed UAA

Single-Piece Standard Mail. Thus,

Single-Piece Standard Mail mailers not

desiring forwarding will be able to

choose among three options: (a) using

no endorsement, in which case a UAA

piece (if uninsured) will be discarded if

it is undeliverable; (b) using the

endorsement ‘‘Return Service

Requested,’’ in which case a UAA piece

will be returned with the new address

or reason for nondelivery attached,

subject to return postage at the singlepiece rate; or (c) using the endorsement

‘‘Change Service Requested,’’ in which

case a UAA piece will be discarded and

the mailer provided with a separate

notice of new address or reason for

nondelivery, subject to the address

correction fee.

3. Standard Mail (A). Currently, if a

UAA mailpiece weighing 1 ounce or

less is endorsed ‘‘Address Correction

Requested,’’ the piece is returned to the

mailer with the new address or reason

for nondelivery, subject to return

postage at the single-piece rate; any

heavier UAA piece bearing that

endorsement is discarded and the

mailer is provided with a separate

notice of the new address or reason for

nondelivery, subject to the address

correction fee. Under the new rule, the

Postal Service will no longer make

distinctions based on the weight of the

piece. Regardless of weight, any UAA

piece with the endorsement ‘‘Change

Service Requested’’ will receive the

treatment currently accorded to a piece

weighing more than 1 ounce—that is,

the Postal Service will discard UAA

pieces and provide the mailer with

separate notices of new address or

reason for nondelivery, subject to the

address correction fee. The endorsement

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ will

provide, regardless of weight, for the

return of UAA pieces to the mailer with

the new address or reason for

nondelivery, subject to the appropriate

single-piece rate postage.

4. Standard Mail (B). Currently, a

mailer has the option of endorsing the

mailpiece ‘‘Do Not Forward, Do Not

Return’’ to request that the Postal

Service discard the piece if it is

undeliverable, with no forwarding, no

return, and no address correction

provided. Under the new rule, this

option will no longer be available.

Instead, a mailer will be able to use the

endorsement ‘‘Change Service

Requested,’’ in which case the Postal

Service will discard UAA pieces and

provide the mailer with separate notices

of new address or reason for

nondelivery, subject to the appropriate

address correction fee.

The following tables summarize the

current and new (effective July 1, 1997)

ancillary service endorsements, along

with the corresponding treatment of

undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail

bearing those endorsements.

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
15058 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations
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15060 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations
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BILLING CODE 7710–12–C
15062 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

The new ancillary service

endorsements take effect July 1, 1997.

The Postal Service will honor current

endorsements for a period of 6 months

after that date, with the exception of

mail bearing no endorsement.

Unendorsed mail received after July 1,

1997, will be handled under the new

system that takes effect July 1, 1997.

After January 1, 1998, the current

endorsements and endorsements other

than those adopted will be deemed

invalid. For mail bearing invalid

endorsements, the service under

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ or

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ will be

provided to such mail as appropriate.

Specifically, if a mailpiece bears an

endorsement that implies that

forwarding service was desired,

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ will be

provided. If a mailpiece bears an

endorsement that implies that no

forwarding was desired, ‘‘Return Service

Requested’’ will be provided.

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. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101,

401, 403, 404, 3001–3011, 3201–3219, 3403–

3406, 3621, 5001.

2. Revise the Domestic Mail Manual

as set forth below:

A ADDRESSING

A000 Basic Addressing

A010 General Addressing Standards

* * * * *

4.0 RETURN ADDRESS

* * * * *

4.2 Ancillary Services

[Amend 4.2 by replacing ‘‘(e.g., ‘‘Return

Postage Guaranteed’’)’’ in the first

sentence with ‘‘(e.g., ‘‘Return Service

Requested’’)’’ to read as follows:]

The USPS uses the return address to

provide ancillary services requested by

the mailer (e.g., ‘‘Return Service

Requested’’).* * *

* * * * *

7.0 ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR

PERIODICALS

* * * * *

7.4 Return Address

[Amend 7.4 by replacing ‘‘Return

Postage Guaranteed’’ with ‘‘Address

Service Requested’’ to read as follows:]

The return address must appear on

any mailing wrapper that is endorsed

‘‘Address Service Requested.’’

* * * * *

A900 Customer Support

A910 Mailing List Services

* * * * *

6.0 ELECTION BOARDS AND VOTER

REGISTRATION COMMISSIONS

6.1 General

[Amend 6.1 by replacing ‘‘Address

Correction Requested’’ with ‘‘Return

Service Requested’’ to read as follows:]

Election boards or voter registration

commissions may use the ‘‘Return

Service Requested’’ endorsement and/or

the National Change of Address (NCOA)

system to maintain current address lists.

* * * * *

E ELIGIBILITY

* * * * *

E100 First-Class Mail

* * * * *

E130 Nonautomation Rates

* * * * *

3.0 PRESORTED RATE

* * * * *

3.3 Address Quality

[Amend 3.3 by replacing in the first

sentence ‘‘(e.g., the ‘‘Address Correction

Requested’’ endorsement, ACS, or

NCOA)’’ with ‘‘(e.g., appropriate

ancillary service endorsement under

F010, Address Change Service (ACS), or

National Change of Address (NCOA))’’

to read as follows:]

Effective July 1, 1997, addresses on all

pieces claimed at the Presorted rate

must be updated within 180 days before

the mailing date by a USPS-approved

address update tool (e.g., appropriate

ancillary service endorsement under

F010, Address Change Service (ACS), or

National Change of Address (NCOA)).

* * *

* * * * *

E140 Automation Rates

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.3 Address Quality

[Amend 1.3 by replacing in the first

sentence ‘‘(e.g., the ‘‘Address Correction

Requested’’ endorsement, ACS, or

NCOA)’’ with ‘‘(e.g., appropriate

ancillary service endorsement under

F010, Address Change Service (ACS), or

National Change of Address (NCOA))’’

to read as follows:]

Effective July 1, 1997, addresses on all

pieces claimed at automation rates must

be updated within 180 days before the

mailing date by a USPS-approved

address update tool (e.g., appropriate

ancillary service endorsement under

F010, Address Change Service (ACS), or

National Change of Address (NCOA)).

* * *

* * * * *

F FORWARDING AND RELATED

SERVICES

F000 Basic Services

F010

Basic Information

* * * * *

[Revise heading of 5.0 to read as

follows:]

5.0 CLASS TREATMENT FOR

ANCILLARY SERVICES

5.1 Priority Mail and First-Class Mail

* * * * *

PRIORITY MAIL AND FIRST-CLASS MAIL

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

‘‘Address Service Requested’’1 .......................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; no charge; separate notice of new address provided; address correction fee charged.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; no charge.

After month 18, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; no

charge.

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’ ....................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; no charge.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; no charge.

After month 18, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; no

charge.

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .............................. Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached; no charge.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 15063

PRIORITY MAIL AND FIRST-CLASS MAIL—Continued

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

‘‘Change Service Requested’’2 ........................... Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; in either case, address

correction fee charged; mailpiece disposed of by USPS.

Option available only via electronic Address

Change Service (ACS) and only for letters

and sealed parcels and postal and postcard

subclasses.

Not available for Priority Mail or mail with special services (e.g., certified or registered mail).

No endorsement ................................................. Same as USPS action for ‘‘Forwarding Service Requested.’’

1Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS) participating mailpieces.

2Valid only for Address Change Service (ACS) participating First-Class mailpieces.

5.2 Periodicals

Undeliverable Periodicals publications (including publications pending Periodicals authorization) are treated as described in the chart below and under these conditions:

* * * * *

e. The publisher may request the return of copies of undelivered Periodicals publications by printing the endorsement

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ on the envelopes or wrappers, or on one of the outside covers of unwrapped copies,

immediately preceded by the sender’s name, address, and ZIP+4 or 5-digit ZIP Code. The per piece rate charged for

return is the appropriate Standard Mail single-piece rate. When the address correction is provided incidental to the

return of the piece, there is no charge for the correction. This endorsement obligates the publisher to pay return postage.

* * * * *

PERIODICALS

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ 1 .......................... First 60 days: mailpiece forwarded; no charge.

After 60-day period, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with address correction or reason

for nondelivery attached; appropriate Standard Mail single-piece rate charged.

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’ ....................... Not available for Periodicals.

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .............................. Not available for Periodicals.

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ ............................. Not available for Periodicals.

No endorsement 1 ............................................... First 60 days: mailpiece forwarded; no charge.

After 60-day period, or if undeliverable: separate address correction or reason for nondelivery

provided; address correction fee charged; mailpiece disposed of by USPS.

1Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS) participating mailpieces.

5.3 Standard Mail (A)

Undeliverable Standard Mail (A) is treated as described in the chart below and under these conditions:

a. Insured Standard Mail (A) is treated as though endorsed ‘‘Address Service Requested.’’

* * * * *

e. When a large volume of identical-weight pieces originates from a single mailer and is endorsed ‘‘Return Service

Requested,’’ the USPS may use the weight of a sample of at least 25 pieces and divide that weight by the number

of pieces in the sample. After the average per piece weight is determined, the pieces are weighed in bulk to determine

the number of pieces subject to the single-piece rate for return. Pieces of identical weight counted in this manner,

regardless of weight, are returned to the sender with the new address or the reason for nondelivery endorsed on

the piece.

f. The weighted fee is the appropriate Standard Mail (A) single-piece rate, multiplied by a factor of 2.472 and

rounded up to the next whole cent (if the computation yields a fraction of a cent). The weighted fee is computed

(and rounded if necessary) for each mailpiece individually. Neither the applicable postage, the factor, nor any necessary

rounding is applied cumulatively to multiple pieces. The fee is charged when an unforwardable or undeliverable piece

is returned to the sender and the piece bears the endorsement ‘‘Address Service Requested’’ or ‘‘Forwarding Service

Requested.’’ Use of these endorsements obligates the sender to pay the weighted fee on any returns.

* * * * *

STANDARD MAIL (A)

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ 1 .......................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; no charge; separate notice of new address provided; address correction fee charged.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; only Standard Mail (A)

weighted fee charged (address correction fee not charged).

After month 18, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached;

only Standard Mail (A) weighted fee charged (address correction fee not charged).

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’ ....................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; no charge.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; only Standard Mail (A)

weighted fee charged (address correction fee not charged).
15064 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

STANDARD MAIL (A)—Continued

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

After month 18, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached;

only Standard Mail (A) weighted fee charged (address correction fee not charged).

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .............................. Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached; only return postage

at Standard Mail (A) single-piece rate charged (address correction fee not charged).

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ 1 .......................... Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; in either case, address

correction fee charged; mailpiece disposed of by USPS.

No endorsement ................................................. Mailpiece disposed of by USPS. (No exception for Single-Piece Standard Mail.) Single-Piece

Standard Mail must be endorsed if forwarding or return is desired.

1Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS) participating mailpieces.

5.4 Standard Mail (B)

* * * * *

STANDARD MAIL (B)

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ 1 .......................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded locally at no charge; forwarded out of town as postage due; separate notice of new address provided; address correction fee charged.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; only return postage at

appropriate single-piece rate charged (address correction fee not charged).

After month 18, or if undeliverable, or addressee refused to pay postage due: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; only forwarding (where attempted) and return

postage at appropriate single-piece rate charged (address correction fee not charged).

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’ ....................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded locally at no charge; forwarded out of town as postage due.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; only return postage at

appropriate single-piece rate charged (address correction fee not charged).

After month 18, or if undeliverable, or addressee refused to pay postage due: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; only forwarding (where attempted) and return

postage at appropriate single-piece rate charged (address correction fee not charged).

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .............................. Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached; only return postage

at appropriate single-piece rate charged (address correction fee not charged).

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ 1 .......................... Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided; in either case, address

correction fee charged; mailpiece disposed of by USPS.

No endorsement ................................................. Same as USPS action for ‘‘Forwarding Service Requested.’’

1Valid for all mailpieces, including Address Change Service (ACS) participating mailpieces.

5.5 Express Mail

* * * * *

EXPRESS MAIL

Mailer endorsement USPS action on UAA pieces

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ ............................ Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; no charge; separate notice of new address provided; address correction fee charged.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; no charge.

After month 18, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; no

charge.

‘‘Forwarding Service Requested’’ ....................... Months 1 through 12: mailpiece forwarded; no charge.

Months 13 through 18: mailpiece returned with new address attached; no charge.

After month 18, or if undeliverable: mailpiece returned with reason for nondelivery attached; no

charge.

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ .............................. Mailpiece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery attached; no charge.

‘‘Change Service Requested’’ ............................. Not available for Express Mail.

No endorsement ................................................. Same as USPS action for ‘‘Forwarding Service Requested.’’
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 15065

6.0 ENCLOSURES OR

ATTACHMENTS

6.1 Periodicals

[Amend 6.1 by replacing ‘‘Return

Postage Guaranteed.’’ with ‘‘Address

Service Requested.’’ in the last sentence

to read as follows:]

* * * Undeliverable Periodicals

publications (including publications

pending Periodicals authorization) with

an incidental First-Class Mail

attachment or enclosure are treated as

dead mail unless endorsed ‘‘Address

Service Requested.’’

* * * * *

F020 Forwarding

* * * * *

3.0 POSTAGE FOR FORWARDING

* * * * *

3.5 Standard Mail (A)

[Amend 3.5 by replacing ‘‘address

correction service endorsement’’ with

‘‘ancillary service endorsement’’ and

‘‘(e.g, ‘‘Special Standard Mail Rate,

Forwarding and Return Postage

Guaranteed’’ )’’ with ‘‘(e.g., ‘‘Special

Standard Mail Rate, Forwarding Service

Requested’’)’’ to read as follows:]

Standard Mail (A) is subject to

collection of additional postage from the

mailer when forwarding and return

service is provided. Mail that qualifies

for a single-piece Standard Mail (B) rate

is returned at that rate if the mailer’s

ancillary service endorsement specifies

the Standard Mail (B) rate (e.g., ‘‘Special

Standard Mail Rate, Forwarding Service

Requested’’).

3.6 Standard Mail (B)

[Amend 3.6 by replacing ‘‘Do Not

Forward, Do Not Return’’ in the second

sentence with ‘‘Change Service

Requested’’ to read as follows:]

Standard Mail (B) is subject to the

collection of additional postage at the

applicable rate for nonlocal forwarding

if guaranteed by the sender. Unless

endorsed ‘‘Change Service Requested,’’

all Standard Mail (B) is delivered as

directed without additional postage

charge when the old and new addresses

are served by the same post office. The

addressee may refuse any piece of

Standard Mail (B) that has been

forwarded. This refusal does not revoke

the right to have other Standard Mail (B)

forwarded. If the addressee does not

want to pay forwarding postage for all

Standard Mail (B), the addressee must

ask the postmaster of the new address

to use Form 3546 to notify the

postmaster of the old address to

discontinue the forwarding of Standard

Mail (B).

* * * * *

F030 Address Correction, Address

Change, and Return Services

1.0 ADDRESS CORRECTION SERVICE

1.1 Purpose

[Revise 1.1 to read as follows:]

If mail cannot be delivered as

addressed, address correction service

allows the sender on request, using the

appropriate ancillary service

endorsement under F010, to obtain the

addressee’s new (forwarding) address (if

the addressee filed a change-of-address

order with the USPS) or the reason for

nondelivery. Address correction service

is available alone or in combination

with forwarding and return service.

[Redesignate current 1.2 through 1.4 as

1.3 through 1.5, respectively; add new

1.2 to read as follows:]

1.2 Invalid Endorsement

Any obsolete ancillary service

endorsement or similar sender

endorsement not shown in F010 is

considered invalid for address

correction service. A mailpiece bearing

an invalid endorsement is handled as

follows:

a. If forwarding service is implied,

‘‘Address Service Requested’’ is

provided.

b. If forwarding is not implied,

‘‘Return Service Requested’’ is provided.

* * * * *

3.0 SENDER INSTRUCTION

3.1 Mail Not Forwarded

[Amend 3.1 by revising 3.1b to read as

follows:]

The following types of mail are not

forwarded:

* * * * *

b. Mail showing specific instructions

of the sender (e.g., ‘‘Return Service

Requested’’ or ‘‘Change Service

Requested’’).

* * * * *

3.2 Special Services

[Amend 3.2 by revising 3.2d to read as

follows:]

A change-of-address order covers

certified, collect on delivery (COD),

insured, registered, and return receipt

for merchandise mail unless the sender

gives other instructions or the addressee

moves outside the United States. This

mail is treated as follows:

* * * * *

d. Insured Standard Mail (A) without

any other endorsement is treated as

though endorsed ‘‘Forwarding Service

Requested.’’ The USPS forwards the

mail and, if still undeliverable as

addressed, returns it to the sender with

the new address or reason for

nondelivery attached.

* * * * *

G GENERAL INFORMATION

* * * * *

G090 Experimental Classifications and

Rates

G091 Barcoded Small Parcels

* * * * *

4.0 ADDRESS INFORMATION

* * * * *

4.3 Address Quality

[Amend 4.3 by replacing in the first

sentence ‘‘(e.g., the ‘‘Address Correction

Requested’’ endorsement, ACS, or

NCOA)’’ with ‘‘(e.g., appropriate

ancillary service endorsement under

F010, Address Change Service (ACS), or

National Change of Address (NCOA))’’

to read as follows:]

Effective July 1, 1997, addresses on all

pieces claimed at automation rates must

be updated within 180 days before the

mailing date by a USPS-approved

address update tool (e.g., appropriate

ancillary service endorsement under

F010, Address Change Service (ACS), or

National Change of Address (NCOA)).

* * *

* * * * *

P POSTAGE AND PAYMENT METHODS

P000 Basic Information

* * * * *

P020 Postage Stamps and Stationery

P021 Stamped Stationery

* * * * *

2.0 PERSONALIZED STAMPED

ENVELOPE

* * * * *

[Revise 2.5 to read as follows:]

2.5 Optional Information

The following endorsements and

instructions printed in at least 8-point

type may be included as part of the

return address:

a. Any ancillary service endorsement

under F010 that requests address

correction, forwarding, or return

appropriate for the intended class of

mail (e.g., ‘‘Address Service

Requested’’). The endorsement must

appear directly below the return

address, separated with a minimum

clear space of 1/4 inch.

b. Any sender instruction under F030

that specifies a period for holding mail,

not fewer than 3 and not more than 30
15066 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 60 / Friday, March 28, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

days (e.g., ‘‘AFTER 5 DAYS RETURN

TO’’). The instruction must appear

directly above the return address. If

such an instruction is printed on

envelopes at Standard Mail (A) rates,

those envelopes must also bear an

authorized ancillary service

endorsement that provides for return

postage.

* * * * *

An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR

111.3 will be published to reflect these

changes.

Stanley F. Mires,

Chief Counsel, Legislative.

[FR Doc. 97–7952 Filed 3–25–97; 3:13 pm]

BILLING CODE 7710–12–P