6-3.5 Step 5: Determine If the Mailpiece Meets Content Requirements for a Periodical Publication

6-3.5.1 Process

Determine whether the mailpiece meets the content requirements for a periodical publication. Consider the following two conditions and proceed as follows:

  1. If the mailpiece meets the four content requirements for a periodical publication (discussed in 6-3.5.2), the content-based restrictions for advertisements discussed in step 6 do not apply. However, you must consider whether the publication contains prohibited or ineligible restricted advertisements as discussed in step 4.
  2. If the mailpiece does not meet the four content requirements for a periodical publication, go to step 6.

6-3.5.2 Content Requirements

To meet the content requirements for a periodical publication, the mailpiece must meet all of the following conditions:

  1. Have a title. The title must be printed on the front cover page in a style and size of type that clearly distinguish the title from other information on the front cover page.
  2. Be formed of printed sheets. (The publication may not be reproduced by stencil, mimeograph, or hectograph processes; however, reproduction by any other process is permitted.) Any style of type may be used.
  3. On one of the first five pages of the publication, contain an identification statement (see Exhibit 6-3.5.2 for a sample identification statement) that includes the following elements:
    1. Title.
    2. Issue date. The date may be omitted if it is on the front cover or cover page.
    3. Statement of frequency showing when issues are to be published (e.g., daily; weekly; monthly; monthly except June; three times a year in June, August, and December; annually; irregularly).
    4. Name and address of the authorized organization, including street number, street name, and ZIP+4 or five-digit ZIP Code. The street number and street name are optional if there is no letter carrier service.
    5. Issue number. Every issue of each publication is numbered consecutively in a series that may not be broken by assigning numbers to issues omitted. The issue number may be printed on the front cover or cover page instead of in the identification statement.
    6. International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), if applicable.
    7. Subscription price, if applicable.
  4. Consist of at least 25 percent nonadvertising matter in each issue.

Exhibit 6-3.5.2 

Sample Identification Statement

 

Publication’s title and number

CHURCH A WEEKLY BULLET N (ISSN 1111111X)

Issue date

JULY 10, 1995 (may be omitted if on the front cover or cover page)

Statement of frequency

PUBLISHED WEEKLY

Authorized organization’s name and address

CHURCH A
123 MAIN ST
WASHINGTON DC 20013-1111

Issue number

ISSUE NO. 30 (may be omitted if on the front cover or cover page)

Subscription price

(If applicable)

6-3.5.3 Comparison With Other Tests

The test in this exception (meeting the content requirements for a periodical publication) is more liberal than the following tests:

  1. The product rules (see 6-3.3.2) for mailing periodical publications.
  2. The advertising rules (see 6-3.3) for advertising periodical publications.

That is, this exception requires that the mailpiece meet only the content requirements for a periodical publication rather than all requirements prescribed for a periodical publication.

For example, an organization’s newsletter published three times a year does not meet the requirements for a periodical publication. However, if the newsletter meets the four requirements listed in 6-3.5.2 for “content requirements for a periodical publication,” the advertised products and services in the newsletter do not have to be substantially related to the authorized organization’s purposes.

Examples: Eligible Advertisements