The USPS has posted an advance copy of our Federal Register final rule, Eligibility for Commercial Flats Failing Deflection, on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com. Click on Federal Register Notices in the left frame. The final rule, effective June 7, 2010, provides background, summary of the comments received on our prior proposal, our response to the comments, a summary of the changes, and revisions to the applicable prices for pieces that do not meet the deflection standards.

The Federal Register final rule on deflection standards will be effective June 7, 2010 (see our DMM Advisory on February 17, 2010. However, the implementation of postage consequences will be deferred until October 3, 2010. A revised Federal Register final rule notice will be available on Postal Explorer on Monday, February 22, 2010.