The Global Envelope Alliance is an association of envelope manufacturers from around the world.  Its purpose is to promote new and sometimes revolutionary uses for envelopes, and new technologies and materials for their production.   In fact, the envelope can be more than just a covering, or bearer of an address.  It can perform many other remarkable functions if it is properly coded.

The following downloadable paper describes a new barcode concept that would truly render envelopes “intelligent” and conceivably enable mailers and postal systems to “negotiate” delivery terms, services and “in-transit” changes to delivery of the letter.  The paper is written by Leon Pintsov of Pitney Bowes and is presented here with the permission of the Global Envelope Alliance.  This bar code is in process of being presented to the Standards Board of the Universal Postal Union as a potential UPU standard.