ERGP investigates potential access issues in the parcel delivery segment
15 July 24
Celine Senay
On 25 June 2024, the European Regulators Group for Postal Services published a report on access to the infrastructure for the delivery of parcels. In particular, the report focused on out-of-home (OOH) delivery solutions, especially parcel lockers and pick-up drop-off (PUDO) points.
Postal stakeholders discuss vulnerable postal users at ERGP workshop
15 July 24
Michael van Maris van Dijk
At a public workshop held in Vienna on 20 June 2024, postal stakeholders and policymakers identified several different vulnerable groups which could be subject to special legal protections in a possible future revision of the EU postal regulatory framework.
The ERGP organised the workshop, which was open to stakeholders from the postal industry for the first time. Generally, the ERGP workshops have only been accessible to postal national regulatory authorities of its member countries.
Second chamber of German parliament approves new Postal Act but asks for better protection of workers
05 July 24
Dieter Kronegger
The second chamber of German parliament, the Bundesrat, approved the new Postal Act but asked for better protection of workers in the parcel sector. The new postal law will enter into force after publication and will fully replace the Postal Act 1997. It will amend the postal universal service and rules for market access, and will strengthen the role of BNetzA, the German regulator.
Commission's postal study aims for comprehensive list of possible policy options and an assessment framework
01 July 24
Armen Ghalumyan
The main outputs of the European Commission's study on the future of the postal sector should be a comprehensive list of possible policy options and the establishment of a framework that will enable the impact of such policy decisions to be assessed. The third workshop on the study, held in Brussels and online on 26 June 2024, discussed the draft conclusions on these and other matters with postal stakeholders.
German parliament adopts new Postal Act
14 June 24
Dieter Kronegger
The first chamber of the German parliament, the Bundestag, adopted the new Postal Act on 13 June 2024. The new law will fully replace the Postal Act of 1997, amending the universal service and rules for market access, and strengthening the role of BNetzA, the German regulator. The Bundesrat, the second chamber of parliament, will vote on the bill on 5 July 2024.
Ofcom launches investigation into Royal Mail’s delivery performance during 2023/24
28 May 24
Armen Ghalumyan
Ofcom has launched an investigation into Royal Mail’s quality of service performance during 2023/24. The investigation was opened following Royal Mail’s announcement that it missed its regulatory delivery targets for first class and second class letters included in the universal service obligation. If the postal operator is found to have failed to comply with its regulatory obligations, Ofcom may impose a fine on Royal Mail.