08 September 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
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International concerns that impact on UK Postal Services

There are three key areas to look at when assessing international concerns that have an impact on postal services of the UK, these being:

You can find out more on the CERP and the UPU, as well as the background to the EU policy discussed below by using the links above.


EU Policy Overview

The 97/67/EC Postal Services Directive implemented the first steps towards a harmonised approach to postal services within the European Union. The Directive was transposed in the UK by the Postal Services Regulations 1999 (S.I.1999/2107), which were superseded by the Postal Services Act 2000.

In 2002 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a second Postal Services Directive (2002/39/EC) amending the earlier Directive, with regard to the phased development of competition in European Community postal services. The Postal Services (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 (S.I.2002/3050), which transposed the requirements of the 2002 Directive in the UK, came into force in January 2003.

In October 2006 the European Commission published proposals for Full Market Opening (FMO) of postal services across the EU. Following negotiations with both the European Council and Parliament, a common position was reached in November 2007 between the Commission and the Council.

This provided for FMO by the end of 2010, with a derogation of a further two years allowed for the 2004 and 2007 Accession States, together with Greece and Luxembourg. Member States wishing to take up the derogation would have to abide by a reciprocity clause during the transition period (December 2010 – December 2012).


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