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This snapshot, taken on 07/08/2007, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
There are three key areas to look at when assessing international concerns that have an impact on postal services of the UK, these being:
>> The work of the European Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP)
>> The work of the Universal Postal Union
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.
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 The Directive was transposed in the UK by the Postal Services Regulations 1999 (S.I.1999/2107), which were superseded by the Postal Services Act 2000.
On the 10th June 2002 the European Parliament and the Council adopted a Second Postal Services Directive (2002/39/EC) amending the earlier Directive, with regard to further opening up to competition of European Community postal services. The Postal Services (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 (S.I.2002/3050), which transpose the requirements of the 2002 Directive in the UK, came into force on the 1st January 2003. The Regulations had the effect of first 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. The Regulations also provided for a further reduction to 50 grams or 65p from the 1st January 2006, however, after comprehensive consultation and consideration the UK regulator took the decision to go a step further than this and fully open the UK market from 1st the January 2006. It should be noted that the regulated area of the UK postal sector remains at items weighing 350 grams or less or items costing £1 or less.
Further information can be found on the European Commission's website and if you have any questions relating to the regulation you should contact the UK Regulator (Postcomm).
>> The 2002 or 1999 Postal Services Regulations
EC Postal Services Directive - 97/67/EC
EC Postal Services Directive - 2002/39/EC
European Union Postal Services website
Universal Postal Union's website
European Committee for Postal Regulation's website
European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations' website