4. CONFIRM CLASSIFICATION CASE: DOCKET NO. MC2002-1
On April 24, 2002, the Postal Service filed a request with the Commission seeking the establishment of a new special service, CONFIRM^®. CONFIRM employs barcode technology that enables subscribing mailers to track the processing of automation compatible letter- and flat-sized mail. The new service is designed to benefit both mailers and the Postal Service.

Available on a subscription basis, CONFIRM provides mailers with valuable, near real-time information concerning the processing of their outgoing or incoming reply mail. This information enables mailers to improve the effectiveness of their mailing operations, e.g., by fine-tuning their drop shipping plans or scheduling the staffing of fulfillment or customer service operations. The Postal Service benefits through the availability of information that can be used to evaluate and improve mail processing operations.

On June 21, 2002, the Postal Service filed with the Postal Rate Commission a settlement agreement that was joined by all participants, with the exception of one individual who did not oppose the agreement. The Commission issued its opinion on July 26, 2002, recommending the fees and classifications proposed by the Postal Service and embodied in the settlement agreement, although it also modified the DMCS language in certain respects. The Governors approved that recommendation on August 5, 2002, and the Board of Governors directed implementation of CONFIRM service to take effect on September 22, 2002.