83 FR 31712 - New Mailing Standards for Mailpieces Containing Liquids

POSTAL SERVICE

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 131 (July 9, 2018)

Page Range		31712-31713
FR Document		2018-14382

The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 601.3.4 to provide for more rigorous packaging requirements for mailpieces containing liquids.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 131 (Monday, July 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31712-31713]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14382]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


New Mailing Standards for Mailpieces Containing Liquids

AGENCY: Postal Service^TM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 
601.3.4 to provide for more rigorous packaging requirements for 
mailpieces containing liquids.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the manager, Product 
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446, 
Washington, DC 20260-5015. If sending comments by email, include the 
name and address of the commenter and send to 
[email protected] with a subject line of ``New Standards 
for Liquids''. Faxed comments are not accepted. You may inspect and 
photocopy all written comments, by appointment only, at USPS 
Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 11th Floor North, 
Washington, DC 20260. These records are available for review Monday 
through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., by calling 202-268-2906.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct questions to Wm. Kevin Gunther 
at [email protected] or phone at (202) 268-7208, or Michelle Lassiter 
at [email protected] or phone at (202) 268-2914.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service and United States Postal 
Inspection Service (USPIS) have observed an increased frequency of 
incidents involving containers of liquids rupturing while in Postal 
Service networks. A typical result of these incidents is damage to 
surrounding mailpieces and to Postal Service equipment.
    When responding to incidents involving liquid spills, Postal 
Service employees frequently note that mailpieces containing liquids 
are often not marked on the outer mailing container as required by DMM 
601.3.4. Many of these leaking mailpieces contain plastic primary 
receptacles. Mailers often do not consider plastic primary receptacles 
to be breakable, and therefore do not cushion these primary receptacles 
with absorbent material or include secondary containers, as specified 
by DMM 601.3.4.
    The Postal Service and USPIS have also observed that spills of non-
hazardous materials in relatively small quantities can result in damage 
to surrounding mailpieces and cause temporary equipment shutdowns. This 
is especially true with viscous or oily substances, such as oils and 
lotions. These materials are often mailed by First-Class Package 
Service[supreg]. When ruptured, they will frequently leak onto other 
lightweight mailpieces containing photographs and documents.
    This proposed revision would require mailers of all liquids in 
nonmetal containers, regardless of volume, to provide triple packaging, 
including

[[Page 31713]]

absorbent cushioning materials, sealed secondary packaging, and a 
strong outer mailing container. The Postal Service is also adding 
language to encourage the use of locking rings when mailing metal 
containers with friction-top closures (push-down tops).
    The Postal Service believes these new mailing standards will 
prevent spills in general and reduce the frequency of incidents in 
which ruptured containers of liquid cause significant damage to 
surrounding mailpieces. The Postal Service anticipates that this 
proposed revision will result in decreased cost and time related to 
spill response, mail decontamination, site cleanup, and provide for an 
improved customer experience.
    If this proposed rule is adopted, the Postal Service will revise 
and align the language referencing the packaging of nonhazardous 
liquids located in DMM 601.3.4 and add clarifying language regarding 
the use of orientation arrows. The Postal Service will also publish an 
appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these changes. 
Finally, if the proposed rule is adopted, the Postal Service will also 
make corresponding revisions to Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, 
and Perishable Mail, section 451 to align both publications with regard 
to the packaging of liquids in its networks.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites public 
comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing Standards of 
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), 
incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations (see 39 
CFR 111.1).

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Incorporation by reference, 
Postal Service.

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, the Postal 
Service proposes that 39 CFR parts 111 and 113 be amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.

0
2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services

601 Mailability

* * * * *

3.0 Packaging

* * * * *

3.4 Liquids

    [Revise the introductory paragraph of 3.4 to read as follows:]
    Mailers must mark the outer container of a mailpiece containing 
liquid to indicate the nature of the contents, and include orientation 
arrows in accordance with Publication 52, section 226. Mailers must 
package and mail liquids under the following conditions:
    [Revise 601.3.4a to read as follows:]
    a. Use screw-on caps with a minimum of one and one-half turns, 
soldering, clips, or similar means to close primary containers 
containing liquids. Do not use containers with friction-top closures 
(push-down tops) except as provided in 3.4d.
    [Renumber the current 601.3.4b through 601.3.4d as the new 601.3.4c 
through 601.3.4e and add a new 601.3.4b to read as follows:]
    b. The use of locking rings or similar devices is encouraged when 
mailing containers with friction-top closures (push-down tops).
* * * * *
    [Revise renumbered 601.3.4d to read as follows:]
    d. All nonmetal containers of liquids, including plastic 
containers, and metal containers with friction top closures, without 
regard to volume, must be triple-packaged according to the following 
requirements:
    1. Cushion the primary container(s) with absorbent material capable 
of absorbing all of the liquid in the container(s) in case of breakage;
    2. Place the primary container inside another sealed, leakproof 
container (secondary container), such as a watertight can or plastic 
bag; and
    3. Use a strong and securely sealed outer mailing container durable 
enough to protect the contents and durable enough to withstand normal 
processing in Postal Service networks.
* * * * *

Ruth Stevenson,
Attorney, Federal Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2018-14382 Filed 7-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-12-P

31712 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 131 / Monday, July 9, 2018 / Proposed Rules

also be viewed online through the dysphoria and how reliable is that DATES: Submit comments on or before
Federal Docket Management System evidence? August 8, 2018.
(FDMS) at http://www.regulations.gov. Given the challenge of the high rates ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
of Veteran suicide, what does the comments to the manager, Product
Michael Shores, Director, Office of evidence, including peer-reviewed Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475
Regulation Policy and Management, evidence, suggest about the impact of L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446,
Office of the Secretary, Department of gender alterations on the rates of suicide Washington, DC 20260–5015. If sending
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue and suicide ideation among those comments by email, include the name
NW, Washington DC, 20420; (202) 461– suffering from gender dysphoria? and address of the commenter and send
Given that any addition to the to ProductClassification@usps.gov with
4921.
medical benefits package will have an a subject line of ‘‘New Standards for
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section associated cost and burden on existing Liquids’’. Faxed comments are not
1710 of title 38 United States Code specialists, especially urological and accepted. You may inspect and
(U.S.C.) requires VA to ‘‘furnish hospital vascular surgeons and other highly photocopy all written comments, by
care and medical services which the trained specialists who are already in appointment only, at USPS
Secretary determines to be needed’’ for shorty supply nationwide, what is the Headquarters Library, 475 L’Enfant
eligible veterans. In 1999, VA potential impact of adding ‘‘gender Plaza SW, 11th Floor North,
promulgated 38 CFR 17.38, establishing alterations’’ on Veterans’ access to care, Washington, DC 20260. These records
the Department’s medical benefits particularly for Veterans facing life- are available for review Monday through
package for veterans enrolled in VA’s threatening medical conditions waiting Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., by calling 202–
health care system. 64 FR 54207 (Oct. 6, to see surgical specialists? 268–2906.
1999). The regulation describes the We are providing a 60-day period
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
types of medical care and services from the date of publication of this
available for such veterans. Care Direct questions to Wm. Kevin Gunther
Federal Register Notice for the public to
referred to in the medical benefits at wkgunther@uspis.gov or phone at
submit comments on this subject. VA
package is provided to individuals only (202) 268–7208, or Michelle Lassiter at
will consider the comments received,
if it is determined by appropriate michelle.d.lassiter@usps.gov or phone at
and then determine whether to propose
healthcare professionals that the care is (202) 268–2914.
a regulatory change in response to the
needed to promote, preserve, or restore Petition for Rulemaking. VA will SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal
the health of the individual and is in announce any action it takes in the Service and United States Postal
accord with generally accepted Federal Register. Inspection Service (USPIS) have
standards of medical practice. 38 CFR observed an increased frequency of
17.38(b). Paragraph (c) of that section Signing Authority incidents involving containers of liquids
provides a list of medical services the The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or rupturing while in Postal Service
medical benefits package does not designee, approved this document and networks. A typical result of these
include. Paragraph (c)(4) explicitly authorized the undersigned to sign and incidents is damage to surrounding
excludes ‘‘gender alterations’’ from the submit the document to the Office of the mailpieces and to Postal Service
medical benefits package. Federal Register for publication equipment.
electronically as an official document of When responding to incidents
On May 9, 2016, VA received a
the Department of Veterans Affairs. involving liquid spills, Postal Service
Petition for Rulemaking petitioning VA
Jacquelyn Hayes-Byrd, Acting Chief of employees frequently note that
to amend its medical regulations by
Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, mailpieces containing liquids are often
removing the exclusion of ‘‘gender
approved this document on June 19, not marked on the outer mailing
alterations’’ from its medical benefits
2018, for publication. container as required by DMM 601.3.4.
package. The petition asks VA to
Many of these leaking mailpieces
remove 38 CFR 17.38(c)(4), allowing VA Michael Shores, contain plastic primary receptacles.
to provide gender alteration surgeries. Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Mailers often do not consider plastic
As part of its ongoing consideration of Management, Office of the Secretary, primary receptacles to be breakable, and
the petition, VA now seeks public Department of Veterans Affairs. therefore do not cushion these primary
comment on the petition and on [FR Doc. 2018–14629 Filed 7–6–18; 8:45 am] receptacles with absorbent material or
whether ‘‘gender alterations’’ should be BILLING CODE 8320–01–P include secondary containers, as
included in the medical benefits specified by DMM 601.3.4.
package. On February 22, 2018, the The Postal Service and USPIS have
Department of Defense issued a report POSTAL SERVICE also observed that spills of non-
that considered the efficacy of gender hazardous materials in relatively small
alteration surgery as treatment for 39 CFR Part 111 quantities can result in damage to
gender dysphoria. That report noted surrounding mailpieces and cause
considerable scientific uncertainty and New Mailing Standards for Mailpieces temporary equipment shutdowns. This
overall lack of high quality scientific Containing Liquids is especially true with viscous or oily
evidence demonstrating the extent to substances, such as oils and lotions.
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
which transition-related treatments such These materials are often mailed by
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS

as sex reassignment surgery remedy the ACTION: Proposed rule.
First-Class Package Service®. When
multifaceted mental health problems SUMMARY: The Postal Service is ruptured, they will frequently leak onto
associated with gender dysphoria. proposing to revise Mailing Standards other lightweight mailpieces containing
Commenters are specifically invited of the United States Postal Service, photographs and documents.
to address the following questions: Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section This proposed revision would require
What evidence is available about the 601.3.4 to provide for more rigorous mailers of all liquids in nonmetal
safety and effectiveness of gender packaging requirements for mailpieces containers, regardless of volume, to
alterations for the treatment of gender containing liquids. provide triple packaging, including

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Document Created: 2018-07-07 00:42:41
Document Modified: 2018-07-07 00:42:41

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Proposed Rules
Action		Proposed rule.
Dates		Submit comments on or before August 8, 2018.
Contact		Direct questions to Wm. Kevin Gunther at [email protected] or phone at (202) 268-7208, or Michelle Lassiter at [email protected] or phone at (202) 268-2914.
FR Citation		83 FR 31712
CFR Associated		Administrative Practice and Procedure; Incorporation by Reference and Postal Service