The CASS™ (Coding Accuracy Support System) certification process is designed in cooperation with the mailing industry to improve the accuracy of postal codes {i.e., 5-digit ZIP, ZIP+4®, delivery point (DPCs), and carrier route codes that appear on mailpieces. The CASS software certification program provides hardware and software developers, service bureaus, and commercial mailers a common measure by which to test the quality of address-matching software. Software tests for CASS certification are graded by the US Postal Service® National Customer Support Center (NCSC), and the results are returned to the developer to provide useful diagnostics for correcting software deficiencies. However, CASS does not measure the accuracy of ZIP+4, delivery point, 5-digit ZIP, or carrier route codes in a mailer’s address file.
CASS certification is valid until the end of the current annual period (i.e., from August 1 of one year through July 31 of the next). To remain CASS certified for each annual period, developers must reapply for certification and meet the minimum accuracy requirements during Stage II testing.
Another certification program offered by the CASS Department is MASS™. MASS™ (Multiline Accuracy Support System) is an extension of CASS, which is a process designed in cooperation with the mailing industry to improve the accuracy of postal codes that appear on mail.
MASS provides certification for MLOCRs, (Multiline Optical Character Readers), RVE (Remote Video Encoding) systems, LVE (Local Video Encoding), and encoding stations to process address information and apply an accurate delivery point barcode (DPBC).
The NCSC issues MASS certification once the required level of accuracy is achieved. MASS certification is an annual requirement and is valid from the certification date until the end of any current annual period. MASS certification is required for all mailers using MLOCRs, RVE systems, LVE or encoding stations when printing DPBCs on mailpieces that are to be submitted for mailing at discounted automation rates.
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