Domestic Mail Manual: Special services labels; barcode requirements,

[Federal Register: October 6, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 193)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 54255-54263]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr06oc99-33]

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Barcode Requirements for Special Services Labels

AGENCY: Postal Service.

[[Page 54256]]

ACTION: Proposed Rule.

SUMMARY: The Postal Service has redesigned the following special services forms and labels: PS Form 3800, Receipt for Certified Mail; PS Form 3813-P, Receipt for Insured Mail--Domestic--International; PS Form 8099, Receipt for Recorded Delivery; Label 200, Registered Mail; and PS Form 3804, Return Receipt for Merchandise. In addition to the current OCR font on the labels, the Postal Service is placing formatted barcodes on the labels. The USS-128 Subset A format barcode will be used on all USPS-printed retail labels for insured mail, recorded delivery mail, and registered mail. The USS Code 128 Subset C format will be used on all USPS-printed retail labels for certified mail and return receipt for merchandise. Customer-generated labels for these services must be either USS Code 128 or USS I 2 of 5 barcode format. Vendors or mailers preparing customer-generated labels will be required to comply with these requirements for special services labels within six months after the publication of the Federal Register final rule.

This proposed rule sets forth proposed Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) language.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 5, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to Mary Shriver, Special Services, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 5541, Washington DC 20260-2620. 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 20260-1540 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Photocopies cost $0.15 per page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Shriver, (202) 268-6554.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In order to provide delivery confirmation and signature confirmation services, the Postal Service has invested in an information technology infrastructure that includes the capability to scan barcodes upon delivery. To maximize the cost-effectiveness of this infrastructure and to achieve long-standing goals for improved customer information management, the Postal Service has implemented a similar barcode system for specific special services. The affected special services include certified mail, insured mail, recorded delivery mail, registered mail, and return receipt for merchandise. The infrastructure will also be used as part of the Postal Service plan to optically scan and electronically store mail recipient signatures. The new label deployment is scheduled to begin in fall 1999.

All carriers and retail clerks will use scanners to scan the barcodes on these labels upon delivery. With the exception of registered mail labels, special services labels will be available in postal lobbies for customers to apply to their mail.

When a customer receives and signs for a mailpiece, the mail carrier will scan the barcoded special service label to indicate that the piece has been delivered. If the customer is not home to sign for delivery, the carrier will leave a PS Form 3849, Delivery Notification/ Reminder/Receipt, to inform the customer that a mailpiece is waiting for pickup at the local post office. When the special services barcoded mailpiece is returned to the post office, it will be scanned as an attempted delivery.

Mailers may use either of these special services label options:

1. USPS-printed forms obtained from a post office at no charge.

2. Privately printed forms that are nearly identical in design to USPS-printed special services forms (as authorized by USPS). Privately printed barcoded labels must meet the requirements in the proposed Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) S940. These requirements include:

   (1) The barcoded label section of any special services form must be placed either above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, or to the left of the delivery address on parcels. The label must always be placed on the address side of a mailpiece.

   (2) Privately printed forms or labels must use a permanent adhesive or have another form of glue to securely affix the label to the mailpiece. The label must be easy to affix but able to withstand normal handling by USPS.

   (3) For all labels mailed domestically, mailers must use either the USS-128 or USS I 2 of 5 barcode symbology. For those labels mailed internationally (recorded delivery, international registered mail, or international insured mail) mailers must use USPS-printed forms. The x- dimension must be between 15.0 and 18.0 mils with clear zones of at least 10x. The height of the barcode must be a minimum of .75'', and a maximum of .80''. In the case of PS Form 3800, Receipt for Certified Mail, the taggant must be a square with sides measuring between 0.5'' and 0.7''. Human-readable characters printed to represent the barcode ID must appear either directly above or below the barcode. The human- readable characters must be parsed in groups of four.

   (4) Each barcode must contain a unique package identification code (PIC) and be made up of four fields totaling 20 characters. The four required fields are:

   (a) Service Type Code (STC): a two-character number that identifies the type of product or service used for each item.

   (b) Customer ID: a nine-digit DUNS (registered trademark) number that uniquely identifies the originating customer. Customers may request their nine-digit customer ID DUNS (registered trademark) number from their postal representative or by contacting Dun & Bradstreet by telephone at 800-333-0505 or via the Internet at www.dnb.com. A DUNS (registered trademark) number is required for all privately printed labels.

   (c) Packaging Sequence Number (PSN): an eight-character-fixed sequential number.

   (d) Check Digit: one-character number.

   Mailers who choose to use privately printed labels will need to receive certification for their labels from the National Customer Support Center (NCSC). To receive certification, a mailer must supply for evaluation and approval a sample that includes 20 barcoded labels generated by each printer. The sample is sent to: Barcode Certification, National Customer Support Center, US Postal Service, 6060 Primacy Pkwy Ste 201, Memphis TN 38188-0001.

   In the event that barcode print quality falls out of tolerance on privately printed labels after approval has been granted, the mailer printing those labels will be contacted by USPS, and an effort will be made to jointly resolve the problem. Should circumstances warrant, the printing and use of mailer-printed labels may be discontinued until a mailer's printer(s) is re-certified. Section S940, Privately Printed Form Specifications, has been added to the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to provide greater detail for label specifications, barcode symbology, label certification, and service type codes.

   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).

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   List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

   Postal Service.

   PART 111--[AMENDED]

   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.

   Amend the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as set forth below:

   S SPECIAL SERVICES

   * * * * *

   S900 Special Postal Services

   S910 Security and Accountability

   S911 Registered Mail

   * * * * * 3.0 MAILING * * * * *

   3.4 Label 200

   (Amend 3.4 to include new barcode requirements to read as follows:)

   Registered mail must bear a barcoded red Label 200 (see Exhibit 3.4). The barcode must be represented in human-readable numbers printed below the barcode and parsed in groups of four digits. The label must be placed above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, or to the left of the delivery address on parcels. Any large- volume mailer can obtain Label 200 in rolls of 100.

   Exhibit 3.4 Label 200

   (New label available in fall 1999.) * * * * *

   (Redesignate current 3.5 through 3.9 as 3.6 through 3.10. Insert new 3.5 to read as follows:)

   3.5 Privately Printed Label 200

   If authorized, a mailer may use a privately printed Label 200, Registered Mail, for domestic mail only. Privately printed labels must be nearly identical in design and color to the USPS form, with a barcode and human-readable numbers that meet the USPS specifications in S940. A minimum of three preproduction samples must be submitted to the business mail entry manager serving the mailer's location for review by the mailpiece design analyst. Once approved, the mailer must print sample labels with barcodes to be certified under S940. * * * * *

   S912 Certified Mail

   * * * * * 2.0 MAILING * * * * *

   2.3 Form 3800

   (Amend 2.3 to include barcode requirements to read as follows:)

   Certified Mail must bear a barcoded green Form 3800, Receipt for Certified Mail (see Exhibit 2.3). The barcode must be represented as human-readable numbers printed below the barcode and parsed in groups of four digits. The label part of the form must be placed above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, or to the left of the delivery address on parcels.

   Exhibit 2.3 Certified Mail Label

   (New label available in fall 1999.) * * * * *

   2.4 Privately Printed Form 3800

   (Amend 2.4 by adding requirements for privately printed Form 3800 to read as follows:)

   If authorized, a mailer may use a privately printed Form 3800, Receipt for Certified Mail. The privately printed form must be nearly identical in design, color, and fluorescent properties to the USPS form with a barcode and human readable numbers that meet the USPS specifications in S940. A minimum of three preproduction samples must be submitted to the business mail entry manager serving the mailer's location for review by the mailpiece design analyst. Once approved, the mailer must print sample labels with barcodes to be certified under S940. * * * * *

   S913 Insured Mail

   * * * * * 2.0 MAILING * * * * *

   2.3 Endorsement and Postmarking

   (Amend 2.3 by adding a reference to the barcode requirements to read as follows:)

   Insured mail must be stamped on the address side with the elliptical insured stamp if insured for $50 or less or have a barcoded blue Form 3813-P, Receipt for Insured Mail, if insured for more than $50 (see Exhibit 2.3). The barcode must be represented in human- readable numbers printed below the barcode and parsed in groups of four digits. The required endorsement or Form 3813-P, Receipt for Insured Mail, must be placed above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, or to the left of the delivery address on parcels.

   Exhibit 2.3 Insurance Endorsements, Form 3813-P

   (New label available in fall 1999.) * * * * *

   2.4 Privately Printed Form 3813-P

   (Amend 2.4 by adding requirements for privately printed Form 3813-P to read as follows:)

   If authorized, a mailer may use a privately printed Form 3813-P, Receipt for Insured Mail, for domestic mail only. The privately printed form must be nearly identical in design and color to the USPS form with a barcode and human readable numbers that meets the USPS specifications in S940. A minimum of three preproduction samples must be submitted to the business mail entry manager serving the mailer's location for review by the mailpiece design analyst. Once approved, the mailer must print sample labels with barcodes to be certified under S940. * * * * *

   S917 Return Receipt for Merchandise

   1.0 BASIC INFORMATION * * * * *

   1.4 Endorsement

   (Amend 1.4 by adding barcode requirements to read as follows:)

   Return receipt for merchandise mail must bear a barcoded brown Form 3804 (see Exhibit 1.4). The barcode must be represented as human- readable numbers printed below the barcode and parsed in groups of four digits. The label part of the form and the endorsement ``Return Receipt Requested'' must be placed above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, or to the left of the delivery address on parcels.

   Exhibit 1.4 Return Receipt for Merchandise, Form 3804

   (New label available in fall 1999.) * * * * *

   1.5 Privately Printed Form 3804

   (Amend 1.5 by adding requirements for privately printed Form 3804 to read as follows:)

   If authorized, a mailer may use a privately printed Form 3804, Return Receipt for Merchandise. The privately printed form must be nearly identical in design and color to the USPS form with a barcode and human readable numbers that meets the USPS specifications in S940. A minimum of three preproduction samples must be submitted to the business mail entry manager serving the mailer's location for review by the mailpiece design analyst. Once approved, the mailer must

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   print sample labels with barcodes to be certified under S940. * * * * *

   S921 Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail

   * * * * * 2.0 COD FORMS

   2.1 Availability and Conditions

   (Amend 2.1 by adding reference to the barcode requirements to read as follows:)

   Mailers must complete barcoded Form 3816 (see Exhibit 2.1) and attach it either above the delivery address and to the right of the return address, or to the left of the delivery address on parcels. The barcode on each form must be represented as human-readable numbers printed below the barcode and parsed in groups of four digits. If more than three articles are sent at a time, the mailer may use Form 3816- AS, COD Mailing and Delivery Receipt.

   (Add new Exhibit 2.1:)

   Exhibit 2.1 Form 3816, COD Mailing and Delivery Receipt

   (New label available in fall 1999.) * * * * * 3.0 MAILING * * * * *

   (Amend title of 3.2 to read as follows:)

   3.2 Numbering for Large Volumes

   (Revise 3.2 to read as follows:)

   A mailer who regularly mails a large volume of COD mail must ensure that a unique COD number is used for each article mailed. * * * * *

   (Insert S940 to read as follows:)

   S940 Privately Printed Label Specifications

   1.0 LABEL SPECIFICATIONS

   1.1 Label Size

   Privately printed labels must meet the following sizes:

1. Certified Mail: 3 to 3\1/2\ inches long by 1\3/4\ to 2\11/32\ inches high. For PS Form 3800, Receipt for Certified Mail, this size includes the detachable label placed over the top of the envelope to identify certified mail when placed in trays.

2. Insured Mail: 3 to 3\1/2\ inches long by 1\3/4\ inches to 2\11/ 32\ inches high.

3. Registered Mail: 3 to 3\1/2\ inches long by 1\3/4\ to 2\11/32\ inches high.

4. Return Receipt: 3\1/2\ to 3\2/3\ inches high by 7 to 7\1/8\ inches long overall; 3\1/2\ to 3\2/3\ inches by 5\1/2\ inches detached. Any form less than 3\1/2\ inches high or 5 inches in length is non- mailable.

5. Return Receipt for Merchandise: 3 to 3\1/2\ inches long by 1\3/ 4\ to 2\11/32\ inches high.

   1.2 Label Stock

   Privately printed labels must use the following stock:

1. Certified Mail: White OCR bond, 20-pound basis weight (17 by 22 inches, 500 sheets), equal to JCP Code O-25, except no more than a trace of fluorescence in the paper.

2. Insured Mail, Return Receipt for Merchandise: White OCR bond, 20-pound basis weight (17 by 22 inches, 500 sheets), equal to JCP Code O-25.

3. Registered Mail: White OCR bond or Smudgeproof Litho Label, 50- pound basis (17 by 22 inches, 500 sheets), with general-purpose permanent, pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on the back.

4. Return Receipt: The form must be printed on 89-pound green U.S. postal card, 110-pound green index, or 125-pound green tag. Minimum thickness of 0.007 inch is required for all stock. Color of stock must be a close match by visual inspection of Pantone Matching System (PMS) 9561 Green. In addition, green background reflectance values, as measured by the USPS envelope reflectance meter (ERM-2), must be a minimum of 60 percent in the red and 64 percent in the green portions of the optical spectrum.

   Note: At the mailer's or printer's option, white stock may be used with a surface tint of PMS 9561 Green. If this option is used, the address block area may remain white. The color green, however, must remain uniform on the rest of the form, and the background reflectance values, as measured by the USPS envelope reflectance meter (ERM-2), must be a minimum of 60 percent in the red and 64 percent in the green portions of the optical spectrum.

   1.3 Label Printing

   The label must be printed in reverse in a match of the Pantone Matching System (PMS) color identified below. Ink must be unreadable (``blind'') to the wands used with postal automated recordkeeping systems for accountable mail and have a print contrast signal of less than 10 percent as measured by a USPS envelope reflectance meter (ERM- 2). Numbers must be printed in non-reflective black ink. Black ink must have a minimum print contrast signal of not less than 50 percent.

1. Certified Mail: PMS 347 Green.

2. Insured Mail: PMS 286 Blue or NCS Medium Blue #12 for shade.

3. Registered Mail: PMS 185 Red.

4. Return Receipt for Merchandise: Reflective Sinclair and Valentine J-30497 Brown (or equal).

5. Return Receipt: Black ink, two sides, head to head. FIM bars on face must be within \1/16\ inch from the top edge and 2\1/8\ inch from the right-side perforation. If the address is preprinted on the face of the return receipt, it must bear a complete delivery address as defined in A010.1.2, including the ZIP+4 Code and a correct delivery point barcode. If the address and barcode are preprinted, Facing Identification Mark (FIM) C under C100 5.0 must be used. If the address and barcode are not preprinted, FIM B must be used.

   1.4 Construction

   Privately printed labels must conform to the following construction:

1. Return Receipt: Perforate along the entire 3\1/2\ to 3\2/3\ inch dimension \3/4\ inch from the left and right edges. Coat the areas between the perforations and the outside edges with a \5/8\ inch wide solid strip of permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive suitable for adhering to paper, wood, metal, printed and unprinted spun-bonded olefin, and corrugated fiberboard products.

2. Certified Mail, Insured Mail, Registered Mail, Return Receipt for Merchandise: Labels printed onto the mailpiece do not need pressure-sensitive adhesive. Labels designed to be affixed to the mailpiece must be coated on the back (within 1/16 inch of the outside edges of the piece) with a permanent-type, pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive must adhere immediately and firmly to various paper-type surfaces, e.g., kraft, sulfite, bond, spun-bonded olefin, and other man-made materials normally used for packaging of mailed parcels. Adhesive must be such that any attempt to remove the label must destroy either the label or part of the paper surface to which it is adhered.

   1.5 TAGGANT

   A fluorescent taggant is required on all privately printed copies of PS Form 3800, Receipt for Certified Mail, as follows:

1. Taggant Area: The taggant area must consist of a single area (minimum dimension 0.5 inch by 0.5 inch; maximum dimension 0.7 inch by 0.7 inch) located in the upper right section of the label area approximately 11/16 inch from the bottom of the label. Printers must not alter the fluorescing spectral response when applying the taggant by allowing the fluorescing material to be mixed with the colored ink used on part of the label. The taggant material must be Angstrom #6 Sub-Micron Scanning Compound 17 percent concentration at a coat weight of 2 mils (0.002 inch). Alternative compounds and concentrations must be approved by the Postal Service. Samples

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   may be sent for testing and approval to: Manager, Test and Evaluation, U.S. Postal Service, 8403 Lee Hwy 2nd Fl, Merrifield VA 22082-8133.

2. Taggant Location: The taggant must not ``chalk'' (i.e., interfere with the scanning of the barcode) and must maintain consistency. The taggant location must be consistent without splattering of taggant on other areas of the label. Any overcoat varnish on the taggant area must be consistent and must not interfere with the spectral response of the taggant. The bottom of the taggant should be located no lower than 3\1/4\ inch from the bottom of the mailpiece.

3. Taggant verification: The printer should use a luminescent spectrometer calibrated to the rhodamine red standard to verify the taggant. The taggant must be tested at a nominal excitation frequency of 365 nanometers (nm). The spectrometer should be set to measure emissions using an emission ``slit width'' of 2.5 nm and an excitation ``slit width'' of 10 nm. Emission should peak at 550 nm +/-5 nm per USPS TM-1262. Measuring of the 550 nm peak should be made by scanning in the 450 to 750 nm range. A cutout filter will be required, and this should be in the 430 nm range, before the emission peak and far enough from the excitation peak to eliminate any harmonic of the excitation peak. The taggant must be equal to Angstrom #6 Sub-micron Scanning Compound 17 percent concentration and meet the spectral response intensity standards of the USPS. Intensity of fluorescence must be sufficient for detection by USPS sortation equipment. 2.0 BARCODE ELEMENTS

   2.1 Basic Information

   USPS-generated forms use USS Code 128 barcodes. Mailer-generated and privately printed domestic forms must use either USS Code 128 or the USS I 2 of 5 barcode symbology, with 20-digit package ID barcodes. Barcode elements include the following:

1. Start Code: All barcodes must have a symbol start code. The USS 128 barcode symbologies must begin with a Start Code C. The start character is not shown in the human-readable presentation and it is not manually keyed or transmitted.

2. Service Type Code (STC): The two-digit Service Type Code is the second part of the barcode symbology. These Service Type Codes can be found in S940.7.

3. Customer ID: Customers may request their nine-digit customer ID (DUNS (registered trademark) number) from their postal representative or by contacting Dun & Bradstreet by telephone at 800-333-0505 or via the Internet at www.dnb.com. This number uniquely identifies business entities at specific physical addresses. Customers generating mailings at multiple locations must use the DUNS (registered trademark) number appropriate for each mailing location.

4. Packaging Sequential Number (PSN): Customers self-assign an eight-digit Packaging Sequential Number. An ID must remain unique for at least two years (24 months). This will be a fixed-length number using either the USS-128 or the I 2 of 5 symbology.

5. Check Digit(s): Check digit(s) are required for all customer- generated special services forms to detect errors resulting from manual data entry or errors from transmitted data. The algorithm for calculating the check digit appears in S940.8.0.

   (1) The mailer-generated 20-digit USS Code 128 barcode forms for certified, insured, registered, and return receipt for merchandise will use a weighted MOD 10 and MOD 103 check digits. The weighted MOD 10 check digit that follows the final digit of the unique sequential package ID is considered a data element and must appear in human readable form, and is transmitted as data. The MOD 103 is overhead to the 128 symbology and precedes the final stop character, it must not appear as human readable or it will be transmitted as data.

   (2) The mailer-generated 20-digit USS Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode labels for certified, insured, registered, and return receipt for merchandise will use only a weighted MOD 10 check digit. The Code I 2 of 5 weighted MOD 10 checksum appears in the 20th data position. It must be included in vendor barcode software and selected to meet USPS requirements, provided it meets the weighted MOD 10 algorithm.

6. Stop Code: All barcodes must have a symbol Stop Code. The stop character is not shown in the human-readable presentation and it is not manually keyed or transmitted.

   2.2 Barcode Symbology

   The barcode for privately printed forms may be printed using one of two symbologies:

1. USS Code 128 (Subset C for 20-digit barcode labels).

2. USS I 2 of 5 (20-digit barcode labels).

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   2.3 Barcode Print Specifications

   Barcode print specifications must meet the following:

1. Dimensions: The x-dimension must be between 15.0 and 18.0 mils. The clear zones must be at least 10x. The height of the barcode must be a minimum of .75'', and a maximum of .80''. The ratio of wide to narrow element widths for the I 2 of 5 symbology referred to as ``N'' must be 2.5 to 3.0 inclusive.

2. Clear Zone: No printing may appear in an area \1/8\ inch above or below the barcode. A minimum clear or quiet zone equal to 10 times (10x) the average

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   measured narrow element (bar or space) width must be maintained on either side of the barcode per Automatic Identification Manufacturers specifications. When feasible, a left and right clear zone of \1/4\ inch is recommended.

3. Reflectance: When measured in the red spectral range between 630 nanometers and 675 nanometers, the minimum white space reflectance (Rs) must be greater than 50 percent, and the maximum bar reflectance (Rb) must be less than 25 percent. The minimum print reflectance difference (RsRb) is 40 percent. The measurements must be made using a USPS- specified reflectance meter or a USPS-approved barcode verifier.

4. Barcode Quality: At least 70 percent of the mailer and privately printed barcodes must measure American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grade A or B, and none of the remaining portion can measure lower than ANSI grade C. Information concerning ANSI guideline X3.182- 1990 may be obtained from Guideline for Bar Code Print Quality, American National Standards Institute, 11 W 42nd St, New York NY 10036- 8002; telephone 212-642-4900; web site ansi.org.

5. Specifications: The symbol construction is based on AIM Uniform Symbology specifications:

   (1) Uniform Symbology Specification, USS Code 128.

   (2) Uniform Symbology Specification, USS Code I 2 of 5.

   These specifications can be obtained from: AIM, Inc., 634 Alpha Dr, Pittsburgh PA 15238-2802; telephone: 412-963-8588 (ask for Technical Department); web site aimi.org.

   2.4 Barcode Identification

   The following applies to human-readable numbers:

1. A human-readable numeric representation of the barcode must appear no less than 0.125 inch and no more than 0.5 inch below the barcode. The human-readable number must be printed in OCR-A readable font size 1, 10 characters per inch, centered in a 1-\11/16\ by \5/8\ inch unprinted area of the label. The character separation in the groups of digits must not be less than 0.017, and the centerline distance must not be less than 0.09 inch (character separation is the horizontal distance between the adjacent boundaries of the characters). If a space is not desired, the character separation may not be more than 0.07 inch. If a space is desired, the character separation must be more than 0.094 inch, but no more than 0.20 inch. Human-readable numbers must be parsed in groups of four digits.

2. For the special services labels, the human-readable information encoded in the Package Identification Code (PIC) must meet the dimensional requirements below.

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3. The human-readable representation of the barcode must conform to the following specifications:

   (1) The human-readable representation of the barcode must be placed below the bottom clear zone of the barcode.

   (2) The font must be OCR-A readable font size 1.

4. Parsing: The human-readable representation of the barcode must be parsed into groups of four digits with the remaining digits grouped at the end.

   2.5 Label Certification

   Vendors or mailers who print barcoded labels must be certified by the Postal Service prior to mailing. For certification, evaluation, and approval, a vendor or mailer must forward 20 barcoded labels generated by each printer to Barcode Certification, National Customer Support Center, U.S. Postal Service, 6060 Primacy Pkwy Ste 201, Memphis TN 38188-0001. If barcode print quality falls out of tolerance after approval, the mailer will be contacted by the Postal Service, and an effort will be made to jointly resolve the problem. Should circumstances warrant, producing and using privately printed labels may be discontinued until a mailer's printer(s) is re-certified.

   2.6 Service Type Code (STC)

   A Service Type Code (STC) must be used as the first two characters in each barcode on any privately printed special services form. The following services require these codes:

1. Certified Mail: 71.

2. Insured Mail: 73.

3. Registered Mail: 77.

4. Return Receipt for Merchandise Mail: 81

   2.7 Check Digit Algorithms

   The USS-128 Subset C 20-digit barcode Package Identification Code (PIC) uses a weighted MOD 10 check digit. The weighted MOD 10 check digit for these forms may be calculated by listing in positional order digit number 1 up to and including the appropriate two-digit Service Type Code. Digit positions are numbered from right to left for this calculation so that the weighted MOD 10 check digit is always listed in position 1. For example, assume that a Certified Mail Label PIC number is 7112345678912345678?, consisting of:

1. The Service Type Code = 71

2. The Customer ID (DUNS (registered trademark) number) = 123456789

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3. The eight-digit Sequential Package ID = 12345678

4. A weighted module 10 check digit = ?

   The weighted MOD 10 check digit is calculated using the following steps:

   Step 1: Set up a two-row matrix, labeled 20 through 1, 1 being the most significant position in the matrix (i.e., the rightmost position). Starting from the least significant position of the matrix (position 20), copy each digit of the PIC all the way to position 2 (excluding the position of the check digit shown in the example below by a ``?'').

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   Note: The dimension length of the matrix (maximum number of cells) is always 20, including the cell for the check digit for the following labels:

1. Receipt for Certified Mail, PS Form 3800.

2. Receipt for Insured Mail, PS Form 3813-P.

3. Receipt for Registered Mail, PS Form 200.

4. Return Receipt for Merchandise, PS Form 3804.

   Step 2: Starting from position 2 of the matrix, add up the values in the even-numbered positions.

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   For the example: 7 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 52

   Step 3: Multiply the result of Step 2 by 3. For the example: 52 x 3 = 156.

   Step 4: Starting from position 3 of the matrix, add up the values in the odd-numbered positions, skipping position 1 because it is the position of the check digit.

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   For the example: 1 + 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 37

   Step 5: Add up the results for steps 3 and 4. For the example: 156 + 37 = 193.

   Step 6: The check digit is the smallest number which when added to the result obtained through step 5, gives a number that is a multiple of 10.

   For the example: 193 + X = 200, X = 7 = Check Digit.

   In this example, 7 is the smallest number which when added to 193, results in a multiple of 10. Therefore, the check digit is 7. * * * * *

   An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111 to reflect these changes will be published if the proposal is adopted.

   PART 20--[AMENDED]

   1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 20 continues to read as follows:

      Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 401, 404, 407, 408.

   2. Amend the following sections of the International Mail Manual as set forth below:

      Chapter 3 Special Services

      * * * * *

      320 Insurance

      * * * * *

      (Amend heading and text of 324.11 to read as follows:)

      324.11 General Use

      All international parcels must be numbered. PS Form 3813-P, Receipt for Insured Mail--Domestic-International (label), provides a numbered insurance label for the parcel and an identically numbered mailing receipt for the sender. Barcodes are printed in USS-128 Subset A format. The receipt is issued to the sender as proof of mailing and proof of payment of insurance fee. For volume mailers, use PS Form 3877, Firm Mailing Book for Accountable Mail, as sender's receipt. Only labels printed by the Postal Service may be used on international insured mail. * * * * *

      330 Registered Mail

      * * * * *

      334 Processing Requests

      * * * * *

      (Amend heading and text of 334.11 to read as follows:)

      334.11 General Use

      A receipt is issued for registered mail when it is accepted. For individual transactions, PS Form 3806, Receipt for Registered Mail, is used. When an average of three or more items are presented for registration at one time, PS Form 3877, Firm Mailing Book for Accountable Mail, may be used (see DMM S911.3.8). The registered number is determined by Label 200, Registered Mail, a preprinted, self- adhesive label with a number series of nine digits preceded by a Service Type Code of two

      [[Page 54263]]

      alpha characters, and followed by the Country Code of two alpha characters ``US.'' This label adheres to the USS-128 Subset A barcode symbology. Only labels printed by the Postal Service may be used on international registered mail. * * * * *

      385 Recorded Delivery

      * * * * *

      (Amend heading and text of 385.41 to read as follows:)

      385.41 General Use

      PS Form 8099, Receipt for Recorded Delivery, is used for recorded delivery. Barcodes for recorded delivery labels are printed in USS-128 Subset A. Only labels printed by the Postal Service may be used on recorded delivery mail. * * * * * Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative.

      [FR Doc. 99-26062Filed10-5-99; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 7710-12-P