Effective September 8, 2009, the Postal Service™ is revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 301.1 and 301.3.2.1 to adopt new polywrap and deflection standards for flat-size commercial mail of all classes, as published April 6, 2009, in our Federal Register final rule (74 FR 15380–15384).
Polywrap standards, currently applicable only to automation flats, will apply to all flat-size mailpieces using polywrap, except saturation and high-density Periodicals or Standard Mail® flats. We originally proposed to implement this broader application of polywrap standards on May 11, 2009, but chose to delay implementation to allow mailers who have not been using approved polywrap more time to transition to the new standards. Detailed specifications for polywrap approved for use on flats, as well as a list of approved products, are available at http://ribbs.usps.gov; click Site Index by Topic in the upper frame, and then under “RIBBS™ Links (cont.)”, Polywrap Manufacturers.
The polywrap selvage (overhang) will be included on a polywrapped flat when measured for maximum dimensions. However, we increase the maximum length of a polywrapped flat to 15.75 inches (inclusive of selvage) from the current 15 inches to accommodate additional selvage for larger publications. We continue to allow no more than 1-1/2 inches of selvage in the length and no more than 1/2 inch in the height. We do not include selvage when measuring for minimum dimensions.
On September 8, 2009, we also will extend the deflection standards currently applicable to automation flats, to all flat-size mailpieces, except those mailed as saturation and high-density Periodicals or Standard Mail flats. The deflection standards change to allow 1 inch less of vertical deflection (droop) than is currently allowed. We eliminate the current exception for oblong flats (those with a bound edge on the shorter side) so all flats are tested with the length placed perpendicular to the edge of a flat surface. As a reminder, USPS® reduced the deflection standards in 2007, permitting up to a 4-inch drop for pieces at least 10 inches long. The new standards will allow a 3-inch drop for pieces at least 10 inches long, compared to a maximum of 2-3/8 inch drop before May 2007. Our difficulties in processing oblong flats, and those that come close to the current maximum deflection, made it clear that the reduction in 2007 was too extreme. Our delayed implementation has granted mailers the opportunity to make changes to slightly stiffen their “droopy” flats to meet the new standards.
We will be revising Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as explained here.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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300 Commercial Mail Flats
301 Physical Standards
1.0 Physical Standards for Flats
1.1 General Definition of Flat Size Mail
Flat-size mail other than that in 3.0, Physical Standards for Automation Flats, is:
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[Revise the text of item b as follows:]
b. Not more than 15 inches long, 12 inches high, or
3/4 inch thick, except for:
1. Periodicals mailed under 707.26.0.
2. Polywrapped flats, with selvage that extends beyond the contents, up to a maximum length of 15-3/4 inches. The enclosed contents must not be longer than 15 inches.
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1.2 Length and Height of Flats
[Revise the text of 1.2 by adding new third and fourth sentences about selvage as follows:]
***When determining the maximum height or length of a flat, include any selvage of polywrap material that may enclose the piece. When determining the minimum height or length of a flat, do not include the selvage of any polywrap material that may enclose the piece.
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[Renumber current 1.5 as new 1.7.]
[Move 301.3.2.3 in its entirety, renumber as 1.5, revise heading and text to extend maximum deflection standards to all flat-size mailpieces, and delete item c as follows:]
1.5 Maximum Deflection for Flat-Size Mailpieces
Flat-size mailpieces must be flexible (see 1.3) and must meet maximum deflection standards. Flat-size pieces mailed as high density or saturation carrier route pieces are not required to meet these deflection standards. Test deflection as follows:
a. For pieces 10 inches or longer (see Exhibit 1.5a):
1. Place the piece on a flat surface with the length perpendicular to the edge of the surface and extend the piece 5 inches off the edge of the surface. Test square-shaped bound flats by placing the bound edge parallel to the edge. Turn the piece around and repeat the process.
2. The piece is mailable as a flat if it does not droop more than 3 inches vertically at either end.
Exhibit 1.5a Deflection Test—Pieces 10 Inches or Longer
b. For pieces less than 10 inches long (see Exhibit 1.5b):
1. Place the piece on a flat surface with the length perpendicular to the edge of the surface and extend the piece one-half of its length off the edge of the surface. Test square-shaped bound flats by placing the bound edge parallel to the edge. Turn the piece around and repeat the process.
2. The piece is mailable as a flat if it does not droop more than 2 inches less than the extended length from both ends. For example, a piece 8 inches long would extend 4 inches horizontally off a flat surface. It must not droop more than 2 inches vertically at either end.
Exhibit 1.5b Deflection Test—Pieces Less Than 10 Inches Long
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[Renumber current 301.3.4 in its entirety as new 1.6 and revise heading and text to extend polywrap standards to all flats as follows:]
1.6 Polywrap Coverings
1.6.1 Polywrap Films and Similar Coverings
[Revise renumbered 1.6.1 as follows:]
Mailers using polywrap film or similar material to enclose or cover flat-size mailpieces must use a product meeting the standards in 1.6. Polywrapped flat-size pieces mailed as high density or saturation carrier route pieces are not required to meet these polywrap standards. Film approved for use under 1.6.5 must meet the specifications in Exhibit 1.6.1 as follows:
a. Films or similar coverings must meet all six properties in Exhibit 1.6.1.
b. If the address label is affixed to the outside of the polywrap, the haze property (property 2) does not apply.
c. Only products listed as approved on the USPS RIBBS Web site (http://ribbs.usps.gov) may be used on flat-size mailpieces.
Exhibit 1.6.1 Polywrap Specifications
[Revise the introductory sentence of renumbered exhibit 1.6.1 as follows:]
Mailers who polywrap flats, except for saturation and high density carrier route pieces, must use polywrap that meets all of the properties in this exhibit.
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[Delete renumbered 1.6.4, Polywrap on Mailpieces, in its entirety and redesignate renumbered 1.6.5 to new 1.6.4.]
1.6.4 Polywrap Certification Process for Manufacturers
[Revise the first sentence of the introductory paragraph in 1.6.4 as follows:]
To ensure that all polywrap manufacturers use the same criteria, the Postal Service developed specification USPS-T-3204, Test Procedures for Polywrap Films. ***Manufacturers should follow this procedure before submitting the letter certifying compliance with the specifications:
[Revise item a as follows:]
a. Test each film according to procedures listed in USPS-T-3204, Test Procedures for Polywrap Films.
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1.7 Flat-Size Pieces Not Eligible for Flat-Size Prices
[Revise text of renumbered 1.7 as follows:]
Mailpieces that do not meet the standards in 1.1 through 1.6 are not eligible for flat-size prices and must pay applicable prices as follows:
a. First-Class Mail—parcel prices.
b. Standard Mail—Not Flat-Machinable or parcel prices.
c. Bound Printed Matter—parcel prices.
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3.0 Physical Standards for Automation Flats
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3.2 Additional Criteria for Automation Flats
3.2.1 Shape and Size
Each flat-size piece must be rectangular, except that flat-size mailpieces may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch (1/8 inch). See Exhibit 1.1c. The following minimum and maximum dimensions apply to First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals (except under 707.26.0), and Bound Printed Matter pieces:
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[Revise item b as follows:]
b. Minimum length is 6 inches. Maximum length is 15 inches, except for polywrapped flats as allowed in 1.1.
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[Renumber current 3.5 through 3.8 as new 3.4 through 3.7.]
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— Mailing Standards,
Pricing, 7-30-09
