39 CFR Chapter I - UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

The Postal Service recently published an advanced notice requesting comments on how the Postal Service should proceed to prevent overweight items from entering into the postal network. After considering the comments received, the Postal Service is now moving forward to propose amendment of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual, (DMM®) to prevent overweight items from entering the postal network.

The Postal Service is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to add Green & Secure as an Address Change Service option utilizing existing Change Service Requested Service Type ID's (STID).

The Postal Service is amending the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to clarify the Postal Service revenue deficiency policy.

The Commission is updating the competitive product list. This action reflects a publication policy adopted by Commission order. The referenced policy assumes periodic updates. The updates are identified in the body of this document. The competitive product list, which is re-published in its entirety, includes these updates.

The Postal Service is revising a citation and a requirement in the Change of Address Request Format for Process Servers. An incorrect citation is corrected, and the requirement to provide a copy of the statute or regulation that empowers a requester to serve process is revised to be optional rather than mandatory.

The Postal Service is proposing to revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to add new Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb) validations for evaluating compliance with IMpb requirements for all mailers who enter commercial parcels.

The Commission is proposing to amend its existing rules relating to non-public materials. The proposed rules ensure appropriate transmission and protection of non-public materials, maintain appropriate transparency, and modernize practice before the Commission. The Commission invites public comment on the proposed rules.

The Commission is proposing to amend its existing rule related to the minimum amount that competitive products as a whole are required to contribute to institutional costs annually. The proposed rule changes were developed during the Commission's second review of whether the appropriate share level should be retained, eliminated, or modified. The Commission invites public comment on the proposed rule.

The Commission adopts a final rule concerning mail preparation changes. This Order amends an existing Commission rule.

The Postal Service is adding language for clarification purposes to ensure that the purpose of a contract or interagency agreement complies with the Postal Reorganization Act and the Privacy Act of 1974.

The Commission is noticing a recent filing requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking proceeding to consider revisions to the periodic reporting requirements codified at 39 CFR part 3050. This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

The Postal Service announces the issuance of Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail (Publication 52) dated August 2017, and its incorporation by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.

In January, 2017, the Postal Service proposed to amend its Postage Evidencing Systems regulations to standardize requirements for the authorization to produce Customized Postage, a Special Service approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. Comments were received by all authorized providers of Customized Postage products and the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers. The Postal Service considered these comments and addresses them below. Customized Postage products are provided through authorized Postage Evidencing System manufacturer-distributors or through companies affiliated with authorized Postage Evidencing System manufacturer-distributors and approved by the Postal Service. During the development of the Customized Postage program, requirements for authorization to produce Customized Postage products were described in Federal Register notices and in individual approval letters issued to providers. These final rules give regulatory form to the existing requirements for authorization to produce Customized Postage products, and incorporate procedures for the protection of Postal Service business interests. Existing providers of Customized Postage products may continue provision of Customized Postage products subject to these final rules upon their effective date, which coincides with renewal of the product year, and any requirements set forth in individual authorization letters.

The Postal Service is proposing to amend Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to clarify the Postal Service revenue deficiency policy.

The Commission is proposing rules related to the current system of regulating rates and classes for market dominant products. Proposed rules are the result of a Commission statutory review wherein the Commission was required to review whether the system was achieving the objectives, taking into account the factors, established by Congress under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. This notice informs the public of the proposed rules, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

On October 24, 2017, the Postal Service published proposed product and price changes to reflect a notice of price adjustments filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC has found that price adjustments and product changes contained in the Postal Service's notice may go into effect on January 21, 2018. The Postal Service will revise Notice 123, Price List to reflect the new prices and Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®) to reflect the product changes.

On October 6, 2017, the Postal Service (USPS®) filed a notice of mailing services price adjustments with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) in Docket No. R2018-1. On October 13, 2017 the Postal Service published a proposed rule containing the revisions to Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) that we planned to adopt to implement rule changes coincident with the price adjustments.

The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®), to reflect the prices, product features, and classification changes to Competitive Services, as established by the Governors of the Postal Service.

The Commission is updating the product lists. This action reflects a publication policy adopted by Commission order. The referenced policy assumes periodic updates. The updates are identified in the body of this document. The product lists, which are re-published in its entirety, include these updates.

The Commission is noticing a recent filing requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to an analytical method for use in periodic reporting (Proposal Nine). This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

The Postal Service is contemplating amendment of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to address the challenges presented by overweight parcels that make their way into the postal network. To aid us in this effort, we are requesting comments from the postal community regarding a variety of suggested actions to resolve or ameliorate this problem. Overweight parcels for the purpose of this notice are defined as anything in excess of 70 pounds or the maximum weight allowed for HAZMAT.

The Postal Service TM is amending Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), in various sections, as a result of the transfer of First-Class Mail® Parcels, a market-dominant product, to the competitive product list.

The Commission is announcing a recent filing requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to an analytical method for use in periodic reporting (Proposal Eight). This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

The Postal Service is revising its rules concerning employee conduct to specify the circumstances under which a nonbargaining employee may consume intoxicating beverages at an Officer Approved Event or a Postmaster General Approved event. This revision is intended to ensure that the relevant rules conform to the Postal Service's existing practices regarding this matter.

The Postal Service is adding the definition of a record to its regulations concerning the Freedom of Information Act. The Postal Service is deleting language in order to clarify the timing of responses to requests. The Postal Service is also adding two words to two provisions in its Freedom of Information Act regulations concerning special categories of records, for clarification purposes.

The Commission is updating the competitive product list. This action reflects a publication policy adopted by Commission order. The referenced policy assumes periodic updates. The updates are identified in the body of this document. The competitive product list, which is re-published in its entirety, includes these updates.

The U.S. Postal Service® is making a technical correction to ensure that its regulations governing the use of mail covers are consistent with current mail classification terminology, by changing the product name “Standard Mail®” to “USPS Marketing Mail TM ” wherever necessary.