The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced at the recent Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) meeting in Washington DC that the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) and Postnet Barcode readability thresholds will be increased. The readability threshold for IMb is currently set at 70%. That threshold will increase to 80% effective November 30, 2009 and to 90% effective March 15, 2010.
The USPS originally planned to increase the readability threshold to 90% in May 2009. However, due to insufficient testing of IMb mailpieces, along with numerous other issues, the USPS decided to postpone the effective date, largely based on feedback from the mailing community. These new effective dates will allow for more testing of IMb coded mailpieces and sufficient time for both the mailing industry and the USPS to make the necessary adjustments to barcoding software and equipment.
The USPS also shared with MTAC members the results of barcode readability testing using MERLIN (Mail Evaluation Readability and Lookup Instrument) during the period of June 30, 2009 through November 2, 2009. During this time frame, MERLIN test results show that 96% of letter size IMb mailpieces passed with 90% or better readability, and the results for flat size IMb mailpieces was 94% passing with a score of 90% or better. These test results are now posted on the USPS RIBBS web site, and will continue to be updated on a monthly basis.
MERLIN testing is currently performed on a routine basis for mailings claimed at automation rates. Sample mailpieces are verified using the MERLIN equipment, which evaluates mail preparation, such as presort and barcode readability.
As part of the increased readability thresholds, the USPS will be implementing penalties for mailings that do not meet the new thresholds. Effective November 30, 2009, verified mailings that do not meet the 80% readability threshold will not qualify for automation or IM discounts. Effective March 15, 2010, the penalties will affect verified mailings that do not meet the 90% readability threshold. This information was also shared with mailers in the November 6, 2009 DMM Advisory.
Currently, the USPS is processing approximately 1 billion IM barcoded mailpieces per week, and anticipates that in FY 2010, at least one third of its mail volume will be coded with IM barcodes.
The USPS originally planned to increase the readability threshold to 90% in May 2009. However, due to insufficient testing of IMb mailpieces, along with numerous other issues, the USPS decided to postpone the effective date, largely based on feedback from the mailing community. These new effective dates will allow for more testing of IMb coded mailpieces and sufficient time for both the mailing industry and the USPS to make the necessary adjustments to barcoding software and equipment.
The USPS also shared with MTAC members the results of barcode readability testing using MERLIN (Mail Evaluation Readability and Lookup Instrument) during the period of June 30, 2009 through November 2, 2009. During this time frame, MERLIN test results show that 96% of letter size IMb mailpieces passed with 90% or better readability, and the results for flat size IMb mailpieces was 94% passing with a score of 90% or better. These test results are now posted on the USPS RIBBS web site, and will continue to be updated on a monthly basis.
MERLIN testing is currently performed on a routine basis for mailings claimed at automation rates. Sample mailpieces are verified using the MERLIN equipment, which evaluates mail preparation, such as presort and barcode readability.
As part of the increased readability thresholds, the USPS will be implementing penalties for mailings that do not meet the new thresholds. Effective November 30, 2009, verified mailings that do not meet the 80% readability threshold will not qualify for automation or IM discounts. Effective March 15, 2010, the penalties will affect verified mailings that do not meet the 90% readability threshold. This information was also shared with mailers in the November 6, 2009 DMM Advisory.
Currently, the USPS is processing approximately 1 billion IM barcoded mailpieces per week, and anticipates that in FY 2010, at least one third of its mail volume will be coded with IM barcodes.
From windowbook.com
