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09.25.08
USPS Move Update Standards
The Postal Service is stepping up its efforts to reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail. On November 23, 2008, new Move Update Standards will take effect. Mailers must begin using addresses that were updated no earlier than August 20, 2008. The Move Update Standard provide options for customers to reduce the number of mail pieces that require forwarding, return or are treated as waste, by periodically matching address records with customer-filed change-of-address orders.
The following changes will take place relating to the Move Update processing.
Increase the minimum frequency of Move Update processing from 185 calendar days to 95 calendar days prior to the date of mailing.
Extend the new Move Update Standards to include all standard mail: letters, flats, parcels and not flat-machinables, as well as automation-rate and presort-rate first class mail.
Listed below are some frequently asked questions that address the new Move Update Standards.
Q: If I use "Current Resident" in addition to a name on my mail piece, do I still need to qualify with NCOA?
A: No. As long as you either mail to "Current Resident" or "Jane Johnson or Current Resident" you are in compliance and do not require any Move Update processing.
Q: I have a large list that I mail in segments. Do I have to certify each segment that I mail, or is it okay to certify the list every three months?
A: When a mailing is supplied to the USPS the USPS may ask for supporting documentation to prove that the mailing list was processed through Move Update. We do not believe that each segment must be processed but rather you must demonstrate that you complied with requirement.
Q: How do the changes in the Move Update policy affect the Valassis file?
A: As long as "name or Current Resident" or "Current Resident" is used our List fully qualifies for the new USPS Move Update Standards.
Q: What are NCOA and MaxCOA? How are the two different?
A: MaxCOA, is a proprietary Change of Address system, with approximately 130 million names and addresses should be used in conjunction with NCOA to identify the maximum number of changes of address. The combined processes significantly improve mail deliverability providing mailers substantial savings. MaxCOA provides address changes for up to 60 months and may also be used as a separate process. MaxCOA often finds an additional 50% or more moves above NCOA moves by using MaxCOA after NCOA processing.
Q: What is AEC?
A: When CASS Certified address-matching software cannot match an address to the ZIP + 4 Product, the address becomes a candidate for Address Element Correction (AEC). AEC is a service that corrects and standardizes address elements. AEC processing may transform problem addresses into accurate, standardized addresses, which allows mailers to take full advantage of automation discounts.
AEC focuses on correcting address element deficiencies such as misspellings, nonstandard abbreviations, incorrectly joined elements, improperly ordered elements, address lines containing data other than the actual address, and missing elements. After resolving address element issues, AEC matches the address against the ZIP + 4 Product using CASS Certified address-matching software, resulting in a correct, standardized address.
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