USPS Proposes Mailing Label Automation Requirement
The U.S. Postal Service has proposed requiring that detached address labels (DAL) accompanying saturation mailings of standard mail and periodicals be automation-compatible and have a correct delivery point Postnet or Intelligent Mail barcode with an 11-digit routing code.
In a Federal Register notice Wednesday, the USPS said this requirement would increase efficiency and reduce handling costs.
The postal service noted this rule would not apply to such labels with simplified addresses.
Current mailing standards do not require DALs that accompany saturation mailings of standard mail or flats to be automation-compatible and barcoded unless advertising appears on the front, according to the USPS.
Automation-compatible and barcoded DALs may be processed with letter mail in delivery point sequence order, thereby eliminating the need for carriers to manually case the labels, the USPS argued.
The USPS is accepting comments until Sept.26.
