Written by Marjorie Mumaw
The U.S. Postal Service is implementing new Move Update Standards, effective November 23, 2008, with new regulations concerning Standard Mail and presort-rate First-Class Mail. The goal of these new standards is to reduce the number of Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) mail pieces, which may require forwarding or return service.
Why the updates and the new focus on Standard Mail now?
- According to the USPS, $1.8 billion was spent to handle the 9.8 billion pieces of UAA mail in 2004.
- UAA mail does not just affect the USPS. Direct mailers and their clients get lower marketing response rates, dissatisfied customers, and utilize resources that end up as waste.
- Standard Mail accounts for almost 63% of all Undeliverable as Addressed Mail.
How to stem the tide of UAA
Poor address quality often lurks as the culprit behind UAA. In order to improve address quality, a Move Update Option approved by the USPS is required for compliance with the new regulations.
- Under the current regulations, addresses for only First-Class mailings must be updated within 185 days before the mail date.
- The new regulations require updated addresses for both First-Class and Standard-Class mailings within 95 days before the mail date.
Example:
Old Regulations:
First-Class mailings on September 7 must have been updated no earlier than March 7 of the same year (185 days).
New Regulations:
First-Class and Standard-Class mailings on September 7 must have been updated no earlier than June 5 of the same year (95 days).
USPS Approved Move Update Options
There are five options available for compliance with the new Move Update standards.
- NCOALink Processing (Pre-mailing option)
- FASTforward for MLOR Processing (Post-print for letter mail only)
- ACS™ Service (Post-mailing option)
- OneCode ACS™ (Post-mailing option)
- Ancillary Service Endorsement (ASE) (Post-mailing option)
Protocol is ready for the upcoming change and committed to making this new Post Office requirement as seamless as possible. To meet the November effective date, we have become NCOALink approved.
NCOALink processing
- Creates a mathematical value unique to every name/address in the file
- Uses matching logic strictly controlled by USPS
- Expands our accessibility to the USPS national Change-of-Address database
This certification allows us to process data directly in-house, meeting all Post Office Move Update requirements. Protocol will also request, review, and maintain all needed NCOA documentation, as well as track all cycle times for mailing, ensuring Move Update compliance.
These new Move Update Standards will increase the quality of the mail stream by decreasing the amount of UAA mail. Increased quality and decreased cost will not only make life easier for the USPS, but will add to return on marketing investment and ensure resources are properly utilized for direct marketers and their clients.
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