Posts tagged “USPS Move Update”.

“Updated” Move Update Compliance Regulations

As rumored the USPS has announced they will not accept the 6014 as a legal document.  The original purpose of the document was never meant to serve as a transfer of liability from the mailer to a 3rd party.  Basically, the 6014 will not be accepted as proper certification of Move Update Compliance, and the mailer paying the postage will be held liable for a failure.

The USPS will treat detection of Move Update Compliance like any other verification test.   The same rules will apply to a Move Update Compliance failure as a barcode failure or presort error.  The presenter will have the options of paying additional postage or taking the mail back to resolve the problem.

This doesn’t change the fact that the document signed is a legal document.  The 6014 or any similarly signed document would hold as an agreement between the mail preparer and their client.  The document was never meant to serve as an agreement between the USPS and the client of the mail preparer.

The options for Move Update Compliance are:

  • OneCode ACS™ (Address Change Service) in conjunction with an Intelligent Mail barcode and a mailer ID or Address Change Service used with an ACS participant code and an appropriate on-piece ancillary service endorsement
  • FASTforward® MLOCR processing (letter mail only).
  • Ancillary Service Endorsement.

Input Technology is asking clients to use one of the above methods for all mailings.  Most of our clients simply take advantage of our cost-effective 48 month NCOA processing service.  We require all clients mailing through us to sign a PAF (Processing Acknowledgement Form), if not using an alternative addressing format or one of the above methods.

The Processing Acknowledgment Form is required by the USPS to adhere to the Privacy Act of 1974.  The purpose is to assure that the processing and returned data isn’t used for any purpose other than updating a mail list.

Alternative addressing includes using simplified addressing such as “Current Resident” or “Postal Customer”.  It can also be exceptional addressing such as “Or Current Resident” as well as “Or Current Occupant.”  If the client uses alternative addressing, we require nothing additional from them, since Move Update does not apply.

ITi NCOA Forms and Info ->

Move Update Standards for Standard Class

Well, the wait is over and Nov. 23rd has past.  This means we are under new guidelines regarding the Move Update Regulations of Standard Class Mail.

Move update refers to methods for making sure that the person or business you are mailing to is still at the address you have for them.  We have partnered with a leader in mailing technology to offer NCOA Full Service Processing.  This will enable us to provide our clients with quick and easy adherence to the new standards.

Learn more about it here:
http://www.inptech.com/ncoa_processing.php

The USPS is going to begin checking mailings for compliance using their current MERLIN program.  MERLIN program, an acronym for Mail Evaluation Readability Lookup INstrument, is a tool that is used by the U.S. Postal Service to assist with the acceptance of business mail.

MERLIN will read the addresses of mail pieces and check them against USPS Change of Address Database to determine if the mailing is compliant.  When a mailing is found to be Non-Compliant the USPS can (an likely will) levy fines against the mailer.

Mailers (that would be us) will require their clients to fill out a Form 6014 (Certification of Move Update Compliance) and/or submit their mail list through NCOA and fill out a PAF (Processing Acknowledgement Form).  It will be required of all mailers to be able to present to the USPS proof that the mailing is Move Update Compliant.

View the 6014 as well as a presentation by USPS on the Move Update:
http://www.inptech.com/resources.php