The 411 on CASS

The US Postal Service's Coding Accuracy Support System evaluates the accuracy of data-cleansing software. CASS-certification is available to all mailers, service bureaus, and software vendors.

On August 1, the USPS began Cycle L of certification. It requires is the use of Delivery Point Validation (DPV) and LACSLink technologies when processing address lists. Each cycle, or round of certification requirements, lasts a year. Each year, the new cycle raises the bar for quality within the CASS certification process by implementing new technologies and requirements in the address matching software industry.

DPV validates each address for one of the following scenarios against the more than 145 million delivery points (deliverable addresses) on file with the USPS. It determines that either the address has the correct primary and secondary data, the address has the correct primary but not secondary data, or the address cannot be validated. It does not correct any missing data.

LACSLink automates the retrieval of new addresses that have been converted by local municipalities, usually when the community has implemented a 911 emergency system. 911 address conversions normally involve changing rural-style addresses to city-style addresses, but in some instances municipal conversions may result in the renaming or renumbering of existing city-style addresses.