postal regulation

The postal sector is changing fast. As the traditional market enters a steep decline, e-commerce is driving rapid and unprecedented growth in parcel delivery - all of which has an impact on the way the sector is regulated.

At Cullen International, we provide independent and expert insight into the past, present and future of EU postal regulation. Subscribe to our intelligence services, and we’ll help you to stay informed as the sector evolves and to understand how that evolution affects you.

general topics covered

Universal service obligations

Use our Postal service to stay informed on the steps taken by regulators to maintain the sustainability of the universal service despite the decline in traditional postal volumes. Track and compare different national regimes, and anticipate new rules and reforms taking place at the EU level. Topics covered include :

  • Postal Services Directive
  • Universal service scope and changes
  • Price caps
  • Funding
E-commerce

E-commerce has led to rapid growth in the parcel sector, driving providers to innovate and diversify to rise to new challenges and meet changing consumer expectations. As national and EU level regulation is now increasingly focusing on this area, our intelligence services provide an essential independent resource on this transformative trend. Topics covered include:

  • Horizontal consumer protection rules
  • Postal sector rules on parcel delivery
  • Alternative means of delivery
  • VAT and customs

latest intelligence

Review of the postal universal service will be among Ofcom’s priorities for the next three years
01 April 25 Armen Ghalumyan

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, defined its strategic priorities in the postal sector regulation in its newly published workplan. The regulator aims to ensure the availability of a sustainable and affordable universal service throughout the UK that meets changing user needs.

European Commission approves state aid for Czech Post to reimburse the net cost of the universal service
18 March 25 Jan Cisar

The regulator can compensate the postal incumbent for the provision of the postal universal service for the period of 2023–2024.

PostNord to cease handling letters in Denmark
10 March 25 Peter Dunn

PostNord, previously the postal universal service provider in Denmark, has decided to stop handling letters after 30 December 2025. PostNord will also take down all of its current 1,500 mailboxes around the country by the end of 2025 and will stop selling postage stamps on 18 December 2025.

ERGP report shows postal quality of service performance varies significantly across Europe
28 February 25 Michael van Maris van Dijk

Universal service providers (USPs) reported a slight increase in the achievement of priority mail quality targets in 2023. At the same time, USPs reported a rise in end-user complaints. These are some of the findings from a report analysing trends related to postal quality of service, consumer protection and complaint handling, published by the European Regulators Group for Postal Services.

Dutch government refuses PostNL’s request for compensation of universal service obligation costs
21 February 25 Martin Schraa

PostNL had asked €68m in total for 2025 and 2026.

Portugal requires CTT to compensate users if it fails to achieve quality targets
20 February 25 Pedro Miranda

Under a new regulation, if Correios de Portugal (CTT) does not meet quality of service targets, the ministry may mandate it to compensate users through investments in the postal network or retail price reductions. The compensation may be at most 3% of CTT’s annual earnings from services that are part of the universal postal service.

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