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 27 July 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
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Postal services regulations implementing European Postal Directives in the UK


These Regulations modified certain sections of the Postal Services Act 2000 in order to facilitate full transposition of the latest European Postal Directive (2002/39/EC). This Directive amended the previous Directive (97.67/EC). The Regulations came in to force on the 1st January 2003. They had the effect of reducing the UK reserved area of the postal services sector to items weighing 100 grams or less or items costing 80p or less from the 1st of January 2003. They also provided for a further reduction to 50 grams or 65p from the 1st January 2006.

 

These Regulations implemented the Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC). The Directive was the first step towards a harmonised approach to postal services within the European Union. In particular, the Regulations designated the Secretary of State and Postcomm as the National Regulatory Authorities for the UK postal sector and also set the function and duties of the regulator. The regulations also amended the British Telecommunications Act 1981 to impose a duty on Royal Mail to provide a universal postal service, which was defined in the 1981 Act. This part of the 1981 Act has since been repealed and was replaced with a similar provision in the Postal Services Act 2000. As well as this the Regulations amended the Postal Privilege (Suspension) Order of 1981 to set the reserved area for UK postal services to items weighing 350 grams or less or items costing £1 or less.

You can find out more about EU policy the EU Directives by looking at the international pages of the website.

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