What is the primary purpose of the Deflection Test in evaluating mailpieces?

The primary purpose of the Deflection Test is to assess flexibility. This test is crucial because a mailpiece's flexibility can determine how well it can withstand the rigors of processing and handling during its journey through the mail system. By evaluating flexibility, postal services can ensure that mailpieces are less likely to suffer damage or jamming in sorting equipment. A flexible mailpiece can also improve the efficiency of automated processing systems, which often rely on the ability of items to move smoothly through various machines.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of mailpiece evaluation. Measuring weight is important for determining postage fees and ensuring compliance with mailing standards, checking dimensions ensures that the mailpiece fits within the established size requirements, and ensuring the readability of barcodes is critical for tracking and sorting mail. However, these aspects do not address how well a mailpiece can bend or flex during processing, which is why the assessment of flexibility is central to the Deflection Test.