Sweden comes out on top in a new report from Triangle
entitled “Best Practice in European Postal Regulations” which reviews the
state of play in 31 European countries.
As part of a 200+ page comprehensive report Triangle devised ten criteria
by which to judge progress based on the two EU postal directives, EC97 and
EC02 and looked at such issues as size of each country’s mail reserved
area, the separation of post office accounts, issue of licenses to operate
in the reserved area and ‘downstream’ access.
Some may be surprised by Germany’s position as runner up, as judged by
Triangle’s researchers, achieved by only failing to fully meet the
expectations for the European Commission’s directives in two areas. The UK
came third with its main failings associated with its late implementation
of the directives. However, given Royal Mail’s well-publicised financial
difficulties, this could be said to be a commendable performance.
Triangle has re-enforced its submissions and analysis by sampling the
views of major European mail users. This 'customer' panel expressed a
considerable degree of scepticism, and in some cases even a jaundiced
view, of the effect the pan-European postal liberalisation process (which
envisages a fully liberated single market by 2009) will have on mail
volumes.
The report further reviews progress across the whole of Europe covering a
range of topics, including the possible introduction of VAT on postal
services and also provides individual information for the 31 countries
reviewed (the existing 15 European Union member states, the 10 that will
accede to EU membership in May this year and the 3 countries hoping to be
candidates for the EU in 2007 plus the 3 European Economic Area
countries).
One of the most striking elements to emerge is that, in almost every
country in Europe, there are fundamental changes to postal services being
made. In many cases, the legislation is only just in place and it has yet
to be implemented. It is difficult to assess whether the implementation
will be whole-hearted, whether regulators will be truly independent and
whether accounts will be true and fair. Will the outcome match the
idealism of the EU legislators or will the cynicism of the Triangle panel
of mail users prevail?
This highly readable benchmark report is a must for anyone, any
organisation, legislator or regulator seeking to understand fully the
developments in postal regulation not just within the EU’s current 15
member countries, but also in the 10 accession and 6 other European
countries.
Notes to Editors:
Available now, the “Best Practice in European Postal Regulations” report
is available at just 4,500 Euros + VAT (where applicable) and can be
ordered through Triangle’s website:
http://www.triangle.eu.com/market_research/published_reports/euro_regs/default.htm
Triangle Management Services Ltd, founded in 1984, is the pre-eminent
independent specialist management services company within the global mail,
express and logistics sectors. As well as market research surveys,
Triangle also offers the following services to clients: Consultancy,
Recruitment, Mergers & Acquisitions and Conferences.
