Domestic Mail Manual: size periodicals and standard mail; packaging material standards,

[Federal Register: March 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 45)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 11402-11403]

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

[DOCID:fr09mr99-18]

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

Packaging Material Standards for Flat-Size Periodicals and Standard Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: To ensure that packages maintain their integrity during transportation and processing, the Postal Service plans to prohibit use of string and rubber bands to secure packages of flat-size Periodicals and Standard Mail when prepared on pallets. Mailers are also hereby notified that, in the future, the Postal Service plans to prohibit use of string and rubber bands to secure packages of flat-size Periodicals and Standard Mail prepared in sacks.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mail Preparation and Standards, USPS Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 6800, Washington, DC 20260-2405. 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 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn M. Martin, (202) 268-6351.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Many packages of Periodicals and Standard Mail, tendered to the Postal Service either on pallets or in sacks, do not maintain their integrity during transportation to postal plants and during postal processing. The Postal Service must redirect the resulting loose packages or broken packages (individual pieces) to manual operations for additional processing. If packages lose their integrity while being processed on small parcel and bundle sorters (SPBSs), this can cause machine slowdowns and stoppages, and can also result in these packages being manually processed by postal employees.

Experience shows that packages that are secured together using string or rubber bands are the most likely to loose their integrity. A study performed on behalf of the Postal Service Engineering and Development Center confirmed that packages prepared with string or rubber bands are the most likely to break, and that the tendency for these packages to break increases as the thickness of the package increases. This study also showed that for packages prepared with plastic strapping, the greater the thickness of the package, the more likely it is for the package to remain intact.

The Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) working group on Pallet, Container and Package Integrity independently confirmed that packages prepared with string and rubber bands are the most likely to break, resulting in increased costs for the Postal Service, and increased time to process the pieces in those packages. Accordingly, this MTAC work group supports the Postal Service's proposal to prohibit the use of string and rubber bands to secure packages for flat-size Standard and Periodicals Mail that is presented to the Postal Service on pallets. The Postal Service also believes that mailers should not use string or rubber bands to prepare packages of flat-size mail that are placed in sacks. In order to ease the burden imposed on mailers who currently use rubber bands and string to secure flat-

[[Page 11403]]

size packages in sacks, the Postal Service is not proposing to prohibit use of string and rubber bands on packages of flat-size mail placed in sacks at this time. Mailers are advised, however, that such a prohibition will be proposed in the future and should begin to plan accordingly.

A clarification that wire or metal strapping is not permissible banding material for flat-size mail prepared in sacks has also been included in these proposed revisions to packaging standards.

The Postal Service is proposing to implement this revision to the mail preparation standards on July 1, 1999.

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 of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR part 111.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

Administrative practice and procedure.

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, 414, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.

2. Revise the following sections of the Domestic Mail Manual as set forth below: M Mail Preparation and Sortation M000 General Preparation Standards * * * * * M020 Packages and Bundles 1.0 BASIC STANDARDS * * * * * 1.4 Palletization

   [Amend 1.4 to read as follows:]

   Packages and bundles on pallets must be able to withstand normal transit and handling without breakage or injury to USPS employees. Heavy-gauge shrinkwrap over plastic banding, shrinkwrap alone, or banding material alone is acceptable if the package or bundle can stay together during normal processing. Except for packages and bundles of individually polywrapped pieces, packages and bundles on BMC pallets must be shrinkwrapped. Packages and bundles of individually polywrapped pieces on BMC pallets may be secured with banding material only. All packages and bundles on BMC pallets must be machinable on BMC parcel sorters. Machinability is determined by the USPS. If banding material is used to secure packages, it must be applied at least once around the length and once around the girth. String, string-like material closed with a tie, rubber bands, wire, and metal strapping are prohibited banding materials. * * * * * 2.0 ADDITIONAL STANDARDS--FIRST-CLASS MAIL, PERIODICALS, AND STANDARD MAIL (A) * * * * * 2.2 Flat-Size Pieces

   [Amend 2.2 to read as follows:]

   Flat-size pieces are subject to these packaging standards:

   1. Flat-size pieces must always be secured into packages, unless excepted by standard. Wire and metal strapping must not be used as banding materials.

   2. For Periodicals and Standard Mail prepared on pallets, string, string-like material closed with a tie, and rubber bands must not be used as banding material. For both palletized and sacked mail, it is recommended that plastic strapping or shrink-wrap, or both, be used to secure packages.

   3. Though not subject to a specific thickness limit, packages of flat-size pieces must be secure and stable. Packages are subject to specific weight limits if palletized. * * * * *

   An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111.3 to reflect these changes will be published if the proposal is adopted. Stanley F. Mires, Chief Counsel, Legislative.

   [FR Doc. 99-5784Filed3-8-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 7710-12-P