USPS® proposed a new method for measuring Move Update compliance, and it will be a big change from the current process.
The proposed rules aren’t final yet, and you have some time to comment on them before they become final. Here’s an overview of what has been proposed.
No more MERLIN
If you’ve done a Full-Service mailing in the past month, you’ll be moved over to the new Census method of measurement. Rather than having a sample of your mailing run through the MERLIN machine before the entire mailing is accepted, all mailings will be accepted, then checked as it is processed on USPS sorting equipment. This means that you’ll spend less time getting your mailing verified, but you won’t have the chance to take your mailing back to be “re-worked” if any errors are found. You’ll need to do at least one Full-Service mailing per month to qualify for the new method though, so if you’re still using the plain IMb you’ll be stuck with MERLIN for a while.
All pieces will be measured
The new method is called “census” for a reason – any mail piece processed on USPS equipment will be scanned and compared with the USPS database of moves. Once you’re eligible for the new method, all your mail, not just Full-Service, will be measured and counted against your Move Update score.
You can monitor your progress
Your address quality scores, including your Move Update compliance, are already on the Mailer Scorecard. Your compliance will be measured over a calendar month. Basically, if an individual, family or business has moved and is in the USPS database, you’ll need to update that address before mailing. If you don’t, that address will count against your score. Your errors will be calculated as a percentage of your total mail volume, and that percentage will be compared against an error threshold. Go over the threshold, and you could be penalized.
A new threshold
Mailers who average above the new error threshold will be subject to penalties for the volume of mail over the threshold. The previous threshold was a tight 0.8%, but the new proposal shrinks it to 0.5%. This means that if over a half percent of your mail hasn’t been updated, you could be charged well after the mail has already been delivered.
But not for all mailers or mail pieces
Only First-Class and Standard Mail letters and flats will be subject to the new threshold. And there will be other exceptions as well. Mailings that have been approved for the 99 Percent Accurate or Legal Restraint compliance methods will not be subject to the new rules. Mailpieces that have temporary or foreign moves, are marked as Moved Left No Address (MLNA) and Box Closed No Order (BCNO) also won’t count toward your threshold. Additionally, any pieces paid at single piece prices or without electronic documentation will not be counted toward the threshold. Periodicals and Package Services mailers will be able to see their scores on the Mailer Scorecard, but there won’t be any repercussions for exceeding the threshold.
ACS data will be available for free
Full-Service mailers already have access to ACS data for their Full-Service mail. But with the new rules, mailers who send 95 percent of their eligible mail as Full-Service will be able to get their basic and single piece ACS data for free as well. Previously, executives from USPS had stated that they wanted to extend free ACS to all pieces.
Mail Service Providers take note
The threshold and any associated penalties are calculated at the eDoc submitter CRID level. Basically this means that the company preparing and entering the eDoc will be liable for any Move Update errors over the threshold. If you don’t already, be prepared to ensure that your customers are compliant.
Stay tuned and get heard
There are still some unknowns in this proposal. USPS has not announced what the assessment fee would be for mailers who go over the threshold, and it’s likely that some of the details will change after the industry comments on the proposal. It’s most likely that the new rules will go into place with the next price change, which we anticipate will happen in January. If you’d like to comment, you can send your questions and comments to the manager, Product Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, Washington, DC 20260-5015. You can also submit comments by email to ProductClassification@usps.gov with the subject line “Address Quality Census Measurement and Assessment Process”. We’ll let you know when the final rules are approved.
