Effective December 31, 2021, the Postal Service™ revised the Administrative Support Manual (ASM), subchapter 69, which establishes the Postal Service’s commitment to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations, while providing the corresponding polices for managing compliance. These policies are applicable to all Postal Service facilities, managers, employees, programs, projects, operations, products, and services.
Most notably, the following revisions were made to subchapter 69:
n Updated organizational restructure, clarified roles and responsibilities of various USPS® stakeholders for managing compliance, and further reinforcement of longstanding compliance programs.
n The addition of a table of commonly regulated equipment and operations, a summary of requirements for each, and links to the supporting Environmental Compliance Bulletins and other documents (e.g., relevant Maintenance Management Orders).
Subchapter 69 was also updated to reflect new language related to the following processes and systems currently in use to manage compliance:
n Environmental Compliance Review (ECR) process.
n 30-day Corrective Action requirement for non-compliance findings identified during an ECR.
n Use of the Environmental Tool Kit as a USPS information management system.
n Requirement to notify Environmental Assessment/Regional Managers for regulator interactions or Notices of Violations.
n Use of the environmental training matrix.
n Fiscal responsibilities for compliance.
While the above sections contain new language, they do not reflect new requirements. The revised content reflects the priorities put forth in the recent Commitment to Environmental Excellence, signed by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, which underscores the Postal Service’s commitment to environmental responsibility and stewardship (see about.usps.com/what/corporate-social-responsibility/sustainability).
For more information on compliance requirements, visit the Environmental Affairs website at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/environmental.htm or consult your designated environmental contact at blue.usps.gov/sustainability/contact.htm.
— Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability,
Environmental Affairs, 6-30-22
