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

Digital communications and changing user needs will continue to drive modernisation of the postal universal service
07 October 24 Armen Ghalumyan

The shift to digital communications and other changes in user needs will continue to be the main drivers for modernisation of the postal universal service. The changing postal market in Denmark led to the abolition of the universal service obligation since 1 January 2024. Participants in Cullen International’s postal briefing on 25 September 2024 discussed and exchanged views on whether the Danish example could be a precedent or an outlier for other European countries.

ComReg proposes to revise its postal dispute resolution procedures
03 October 24 Armen Ghalumyan

ComReg, the Irish communications regulator, is consulting on its proposed revisions to the current postal dispute resolution procedures until 28 October 2024. Among other changes, the regulator’s proposals aim to clarify the time limits applying to the procedure and to specify that postal users may be entitled to compensation of up to €5,000.

ERGP forum discusses Commission study on the future of the postal sector
30 September 24 Michael van Maris van Dijk

Postal participants at the European Regulators Group for Postal Services' stakeholder forum disagreed on whether and how the European regulatory framework should be revised. The forum also discussed a number of draft conclusions from the forthcoming European Commission study on the future of the postal sector.

EU Timeline
16 September 24 Javier Huerta Bravo

This edition of Cullen International’s EU Timeline highlights key regulatory developments foreseen at EU level until the end of 2024.

CNMC mandates Correos to stop classifying administrative notifications as a USP product
13 September 24 Carmen Mateas

The Spanish postal regulator, CNMC, mandated Correos, the universal service provider, to modify its regulated cost accounts for the financial year of 2022. The regulator ordered Correos to classify administrative notifications as falling outside the scope of the universal service.

Ofcom will assess Royal Mail’s proposed reforms to the postal universal service
10 September 24 Armen Ghalumyan

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, announced that it will assess proposed reforms to the postal universal service obligation, including a possible shift to alternate weekday delivery for Royal Mail’s second class letters and access products. Following its assessment, Ofcom plans to consult on the USO changes in early 2025, with a decision expected during summer 2025.

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