[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21720-21721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10862]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Postage Meters and Meter Stamps

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service proposes to change Domestic Mail Manual 
P030 to extend the use of postage meters to include postage-evidencing 
systems that print information-based indicia.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to the 
Manager, Postage Technology Management, 1735 N. Lynn Street, Room 5011, 
Arlington, VA 22209-6050. Copies of all written comments will be 
available at this address for inspection and photocopying between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Luff, 703-292-3693.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Mailers may now use information-based 
indicia (IBI) to show evidence of postage, as they would letterpress 
and digital meter stamps. IBI include human-readable information and a 
USPS-approved two-

[[Page 21721]]

dimensional barcode with a digital signature and other required data 
fields. Existing regulations on classes of mail that apply to metered 
mail now apply to mail bearing IBI. In particular, mailers can use IBI 
and receive qualifying discounts for presorted mail.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
    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 public 
comments on the following proposed amendments to the Domestic Mail 
Manual, incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. 
See 39 CFR part 111.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

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

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

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

P  Postage and Payment Methods

P000  Basic Information

P030  Postage Meters and Meter Stamps

1.0  Basic Information
* * * * *

1.4  Classes of Mail

    Postage may be paid by printing postage meter stamps (including 
letterpress, digital meter stamps, and information-based indicia) on 
any class of mail except Periodicals. Information-based indicia (IBI) 
include human-readable information and a USPS-approved two-dimensional 
barcode with a digital signature and other required data fields. 
Metered mail (including mail bearing IBI) is entitled to all privileges 
and subject to all conditions applying to the various classes of mail.
    Appropriate amendments to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes 
will be published if the proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 01-10862 Filed 4-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P