Postal Services Regulations
1999 [S.I.1999/2107]
These Regulations implemented the Postal
Services Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council to
the extent that it was not already covered by existing legislation. These were the first steps towards a
harmonised approach to postal services within the European Union.
In particular, the Regulations
designated the Secretary of State and the Postal Services Commission as the
National Regulatory Authorities for the postal sector in the United Kingdom
(Article 22 of the Directive required the designation of one or more national
regulatory authorities that are legally separate from and operationally
independent of postal operators) and set the function and duties of the Postal
Services Commission.
The regulations also amended the
British Telecommunications Act 1981 to impose a duty on the Post Office to
provide a universal postal service which was defined in the 1981 Act. The 1981
Act was also amended to make it possible to enforce the monopoly by civil
proceedings (as well as by criminal proceedings as was provided for in the 1981
Act).
The extent of the Post Office's
monopoly was defined by reference to the weight of a letter as well as its price
by and amendment to the Postal Privilege (Suspension) Order 1981 [S.I.1981/1483]
(Not weighing less then 350 grams or not costing less than £1).
The Regulations also made amendment to
the Post Office Act 1969 to require that the Post Office establishes schemes for
dealing with users' complaints.
Useful website links
Postal Services Regulations
1999 [S.I.1999/2107]
Postal
Services Directive 97/67/EC