The USPS wants to restrict Standard Mail (now known as Marketing Mail) content to paper based only. All other items would become parcels. They list three reasons for the proposed change:
- Service Level Retention
- Move fulfillment of merchandise out of the Marketing Mail Environment
- Reduce automation operational inefficiencies
Nonprofits would be severely impacted by the content restriction and The Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers were quick to respond to the notice. They countered by stating the proposal is a classification change and the USPS cannot legally make such changes without the authorization of the Governors and the approval of the Commission.
It would seem that the USPS must now decide to either reconsider the proposal or prepare for a legal battle.