How CoMRAA gives mail centers representation with USPS policy makers
For decades, commercial mail receiving agencies had no representation when the USPS made policy decisions.
Regulations were written in Washington, DC, without input from the people who would have to live with them.
That changed when CoMRAA was formed.
The Commercial Mail Receiving Agent Association now gives mail center operators—including coworking space operators who receive mail on behalf of their members or other customers—direct representation with USPS policy makers in Washington.
When regulations are being drafted, the industry finally has a voice in the room.
Why does that matter?
Because the 2023 CMRA regulation overhaul proved what happens when operators have no input: confusion, inefficiency, and scrambling to comply with the new rules.
This article explores the backstory and explains how CoMRAA is changing that dynamic.
The 2023 regulation changes caught operators off guard
In late 2023, the USPS overhauled CMRA compliance requirements as part of a Department of Justice mandate to reduce mail fraud.
The changes were significant:
All CMRAs had to register in the Business Customer Gateway (BCG) portal
The paper-based Form 1583 system moved to digital submission
Verification requirements tightened
Non-compliance could result in complete mail stoppage
The intent was valid, but the execution ignored operational reality. The new system was confusing, manual, and riddled with technical issues:
Requirements weren't clearly communicated
Postmasters weren't prepared
The BCG portal had problems
Operators scrambled to figure out compliance while the January 2025 deadline loomed.
And throughout all of it, the people running mail services every day had no input into how the system was designed.
CoMRAA was created to change the industry dynamic
The industry needed representation at the policy level—not after regulations were finalized, but during the process when input could actually matter.
The Commercial Mail Receiving Agent Association (CoMRAA) was formed to give mail center operators a seat at the table in Washington.
CoMRAA represents the interests of commercial mail receiving agencies and ensures that future USPS policy decisions include input from the people who understand how the business actually works.
What CoMRAA has built since it was founded
CoMRAA now has direct relationships with USPS leadership.
The organization works with Carl Swanson, United States Postal Inspector, and other key officials to:
Provide feedback on regulations
Submit recommendations for improvements
Flag implementation problems before they become industry-wide disasters
William Edmundson, EVP of the Workspace Channel at iPostal1, serves as CoMRAA Board Chairman and represents mail center operators on the USPS Mailers' Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC).
MTAC is where policy gets shaped. It's the advisory body that provides recommendations to the USPS on operational and regulatory issues. The committee comprises representatives from both the mail industry and USPS, and meets quarterly.
Having a CoMRAA representative on MTAC means mail center operators finally have a voice in the room when decisions are being made.
Why does this matter for your business?
Currently, CoMRAA is providing recommendations to the USPS for revisions and improvements to the CMRA regulations implemented in 2023. Equally important, the next time the USPS considers regulatory changes, mail receiving agents like you won't be blindsided.
CoMRAA provides the feedback loop that didn't exist before:
The industry can weigh in on proposed requirements before they're finalized
Implementation problems get escalated directly to USPS leadership instead of creating industry-wide chaos
But sustaining that influence requires a growing membership base. More members means more credibility when advocating for practical regulations, more resources for compliance education and operator support, and stronger relationships with the officials making decisions.
Without a robust industry association, you risk repeating the same cycle: regulations created without your input that you're forced to comply with anyway.
CoMRAA ensures you have representation when it matters.
If you operate a commercial mail receiving agency, consider joining CoMRAA to support the organization's work and strengthen the industry's voice in Washington.
iPostal1 is committed to advocacy, not just technology
At iPostal1, we don't just provide digital mail solutions. We're actively working to improve the regulatory environment for all mail center operators.
That's why we support CoMRAA's mission and why William Edmundson dedicates time to representing operators at the policy level.
When regulations are created with industry input, compliance becomes easier. When operators have a voice in Washington, the rules make sense. When the industry grows stronger, everyone benefits.
We're going to bat for our partners because your ability to operate successfully matters.
Ready to get started with iPostal1? Contact us today to start building a new revenue stream for your workspace with digital mailbox solutions.
