[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 44 (Monday, March 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 10529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4861]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. MC2010-19; Order No. 415]


Mail Classification Change

AGENCY:  Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
request to make a minor modification to the Mail Classification 
Schedule. The change affects a change in terminology. This notice 
addresses procedural steps associated with this filing.

DATES:  Comments are due: March 10, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Commenters who cannot submit their 
views electronically should contact the person identified in the For 
Further information Contact section by telephone for advice on 
alternatives to electronic filing.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
202-789-6820 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 26, 2010, the Postal Service 
filed a notice with the Commission pursuant to 39 CFR 3020.90 et seq. 
concerning a change in classification which reflects a change in 
terminology from Bulk Mailing Center (BMC) to Network Distribution 
Center (NDC), and revises its regulations to change the terms in 
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM) and other related manuals and publications effective March 
15, 2010.\1\ The Postal Service states revisions will also be made in 
its service standard regulations in 39 CFR part 121 to indicate the 
terminology change from BMC to NDC. The Postal Service states it will 
concurrently file a notice explaining these changes in the Federal 
Register. Id. at 1.
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    \1\ Notice of the United States Postal Service of Minor 
Classification Change, February 26, 2010 (Notice). This notice is 
available on the Commission's Web site, http://www.prc.gov.
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    The Postal Service indicates that the original BMC network was 
established in the 1970s to process mail which now includes Parcel 
Post, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, Standard Mail, and Periodicals. 
Id. However, variation in volume and changes in the mailing habits of 
the public and large mailers require modifications to BMC processing 
and transportation. Id. The Postal Service states in order to maximize 
its efficiency, changes have been made to mail flow processes through 
the new NDC network, and it is converting BMCs to NDCs. Id. at 1-2. It 
notes that as part of the transition to the new NDC concept, only a 
terminology change is being implemented now and there are no revisions 
to mailing standards, service standards, or processes as a result of 
this notice. Id. at 2. The Postal Service states that in the future, it 
intends to propose changes to the preparation, entry and deposit of 
mail related to the NDC concept. Id. The Postal Service proposes 
conforming Mail Classification Schedule language to replace references 
to the BMC, with references to the NDC.\2\ Id. at 2-3.
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    \2\ The Postal Service also notes that on August 3, 2009, it 
changed all of its applicable labeling lists to effectuate the name 
change from BMC to NDC. It states that mailers were given a 73-day 
transition period to make the appropriate changes to mailing 
software applications. Id. at 2.
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    Pursuant to 39 CFR 3020.92, the Commission provides notice of the 
Postal Service's filing and affords interested persons an opportunity 
to express views and offer comments on whether the proposed 
classification change is inconsistent with 39 U.S.C. 3642. Comments are 
due March 10, 2010.
    Section 3020.91 requires the Postal Service to file notice of the 
proposed change with the Commission no less than 15 days prior to the 
effective date of the proposed change. The Notice states that the 
classification change is to become effective March 15, 2010.
    The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as Public 
Representative in this docket.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2010-19 for 
consideration of the matters raised in this docket.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Paul L. Harrington is appointed to 
serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in these proceedings.
    3. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than March 10, 2010.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-4861 Filed 3-5-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-S