MASS certification is an extension of the CASS™ system, which is a process designed in cooperation with the mailing industry to improve the accuracy of postal codes that appear on mail.

MASS certification is a process similar to CASS but is designed for certification for Multiline Optical Character Readers (MLOCRs), Remote Video Encoding (RVE), and encoding stations. The MASS certification process is designed to evaluate the ability of MLOCRs and encoding stations to process address information and apply an accurate delivery point barcode (DPBC) to a mailpiece. However, RVE and LVE is designed to evaluate the ability of the entire remote or local video encoding operation to process address information and apply an accurate DPBC to a mailpiece.

The MASS certification cycle is comprised of the following phases:

1. Software manufacturer certification
2. Hardware manufacturer certification
3. RVE/LVE manufacturer certification
4. User certification

All MASS tests are similar to CASS Stage II tests in that the performance of address-matching software and barcode application hardware is evaluated after it has processed a test file. The National Customer Support Center (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 (i.e., from August 1 of one year through July 31 of the next). Customers must reapply for certification and meet the accuracy requirements each year to remain certified and avoid interrupted service to their customers.

MASS certification is mandatory for mailers using MLOCRs, RVE, LVE, or encoding stations to print DPBCs on mailpieces submitted for mailing at discounted automation rates (see DMM 708.3.0).