DIN CEN/TS 15844-1:2011-03

This standard defines the information content, structure and possible printed representations of the UPU ID-tag. This is an identifier for individual mail items which: a) is globally unique; b) can be applied to any item which is not already ID-tagged by any postal administration (or other issuer) which previously processed the item; c) can be read, with a high degree of reliability, by any postal handling organisation possessing appropriate equipment. The UPU ID-tag defined in this standard may be placed on items so that, in subsequent processing, individual items can be recognized and associated with computer-based information relating to the item concerned. Whilst being generally applicable to domestic mail, the standard has been designed to allow the encoding of cross-border mail and to support its application in the automated processing of such mail. The key purpose of the standard is to allow information about items to be exchanged between postal handling organizations. Such exchange will take place through the electronic communication of messages (for example, EDI messages), or through the exchange of computer files.