CEN/TS 14567:2004
(Main)Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator
General Information
- Abstract
This Technical Specification defines a set of physical marks called Address Block Locators (ABLs). ABLs are marks, printed in the vicinity of addresses on postal items, that are intended to facilitate automatic recognition of address location and processing of the addresses on mail sorting and video-coding equipment.
The Technical Specification describes two families of ABLs which may be printed on all types of postal items, including letters, flats and parcels.
In the first family, address block locators take the form of pictograms which bear no other information than being a landmark for the address block. One such pictogram is defined herein for use in association with the delivery address block. It may be printed at the same time as the address or pre-printed on an envelope, an insert, or a label, with the address being printed, on the same physical support, at a later stage.
The second family covers address block locators which contain an encoded specification of the address block type and location and which can also be used for encoding other data, not directly related to address block location. Such data may include addressee or postal item identifiers, routing data, non-delivery instructions, a return address and references or other data which are relevant for either the mailer or the addressee. It may also include address checking data which may be used to verify correct interpretation of the printed address by the OCR system. In this family, three types of ABL are defined: one based on a pattern of alphanumeric characters; one on a linear bar code and one based on two-dimensional symbologies. These locators can be applied to the delivery address block and to forwarding or return address blocks. They will normally be printed within the same process as the address itself.
The Technical Specification is intended to be used by:
- mailers, during the production of mail;
(....)
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 20-Jan-2004
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 320 - Transport - Logistics and services
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 331/WG 3 - Automatic identification of items - Addresses
- Current Stage
- 9020 - Submission to 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 15-Jul-2026
- Completion Date
- 15-Jul-2026
Overview
CEN/TS 14567:2004 - "Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator" defines a set of Address Block Locators (ABLs): physical marks printed near the address on letters, flats and parcels to help automatic systems detect and process address blocks. The Technical Specification describes two families of ABLs (simple pictogram landmarks and encoded locators) and explains where and how they may be applied to delivery, forwarding and return address blocks. The document is intended primarily for mailers and postal operators involved in automated mail production and sorting.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Two families of ABLs
- Pictogram family: simple landmark symbols (one pictogram is defined) that identify the location of the delivery address block; may be pre-printed or printed simultaneously with the address.
- Encoded family: ABLs that include encoded specifications of address block type/location and optionally additional data.
- Encoded ABL types (three types defined)
- Alphanumeric pattern - readable character pattern used to encode address block information.
- Linear bar code - machine-readable linear barcode variant for address/block data.
- Two-dimensional symbologies - 2D codes for higher data density and additional payloads.
- Optional encoded data: addressee or item identifiers, routing information, non-delivery instructions, return address, references, and address checking data to support OCR verification.
- Applicability: compatible with letters, flats and parcels; locators may be printed at address printing or pre-printed on envelopes, inserts or labels.
- Integration with automated equipment: intended to facilitate OCR/video-coding systems and mail sorting equipment by providing reliable address landmarks and encoded verification data.
Practical applications and users
- Mailers: design and production workflows that improve OCR hit rates and reduce manual coding.
- Postal operators: enhance throughput on sorting lines, reduce misreads and improve routing accuracy.
- Equipment manufacturers: implement ABL recognition in OCR, camera, and sorter firmware and software.
- Software developers: support encoding/decoding of ABL formats and validation of address-check data.
- Service bureaus and print houses: incorporate ABLs into envelopes, labels, and personalised mail streams.
Related standards
- Complementary standards include those covering postal barcodes, OCR specification for mail processing, and national or international postal automation guidelines (e.g., CEN/UPU recommendations). Check local postal authority and CEN documentation for applicable barcode and OCR interoperability standards.
Keywords: Address Block Locator, ABL, postal services, automated processing, mail sorting, OCR, bar code, 2D symbologies, delivery address block, CEN Technical Specification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
CEN/TS 14567:2004 is a technical specification published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator". This standard covers: This Technical Specification defines a set of physical marks called Address Block Locators (ABLs). ABLs are marks, printed in the vicinity of addresses on postal items, that are intended to facilitate automatic recognition of address location and processing of the addresses on mail sorting and video-coding equipment. The Technical Specification describes two families of ABLs which may be printed on all types of postal items, including letters, flats and parcels. In the first family, address block locators take the form of pictograms which bear no other information than being a landmark for the address block. One such pictogram is defined herein for use in association with the delivery address block. It may be printed at the same time as the address or pre-printed on an envelope, an insert, or a label, with the address being printed, on the same physical support, at a later stage. The second family covers address block locators which contain an encoded specification of the address block type and location and which can also be used for encoding other data, not directly related to address block location. Such data may include addressee or postal item identifiers, routing data, non-delivery instructions, a return address and references or other data which are relevant for either the mailer or the addressee. It may also include address checking data which may be used to verify correct interpretation of the printed address by the OCR system. In this family, three types of ABL are defined: one based on a pattern of alphanumeric characters; one on a linear bar code and one based on two-dimensional symbologies. These locators can be applied to the delivery address block and to forwarding or return address blocks. They will normally be printed within the same process as the address itself. The Technical Specification is intended to be used by: - mailers, during the production of mail; (....)
This Technical Specification defines a set of physical marks called Address Block Locators (ABLs). ABLs are marks, printed in the vicinity of addresses on postal items, that are intended to facilitate automatic recognition of address location and processing of the addresses on mail sorting and video-coding equipment. The Technical Specification describes two families of ABLs which may be printed on all types of postal items, including letters, flats and parcels. In the first family, address block locators take the form of pictograms which bear no other information than being a landmark for the address block. One such pictogram is defined herein for use in association with the delivery address block. It may be printed at the same time as the address or pre-printed on an envelope, an insert, or a label, with the address being printed, on the same physical support, at a later stage. The second family covers address block locators which contain an encoded specification of the address block type and location and which can also be used for encoding other data, not directly related to address block location. Such data may include addressee or postal item identifiers, routing data, non-delivery instructions, a return address and references or other data which are relevant for either the mailer or the addressee. It may also include address checking data which may be used to verify correct interpretation of the printed address by the OCR system. In this family, three types of ABL are defined: one based on a pattern of alphanumeric characters; one on a linear bar code and one based on two-dimensional symbologies. These locators can be applied to the delivery address block and to forwarding or return address blocks. They will normally be printed within the same process as the address itself. The Technical Specification is intended to be used by: - mailers, during the production of mail; (....)
CEN/TS 14567:2004 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 03.240 - Postal services. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
CEN/TS 14567:2004 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2002/39/EC, 97/67/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/240. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
CEN/TS 14567:2004 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2005
Poštne storitve – Avtomatsko usmerjanje poštnih pošiljk - Lokator naslovnega
polja
Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator
Postalische Dienstleistungen - Automatische Verarbeitung von Sendungen - Erkennung
des Adressblocks
Services postaux - Traitement automatique des envois postaux - Localisateur d'adresse
postale
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 14567:2004
ICS:
03.240 Poštne storitve Postal services
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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