Changes to long term postal licences

3 November 2005

Postcomm has modified the postal licences of Royal Mail and other long term licence holders to include conditions on common operating procedures and mail integrity.

The modifications require licensees to:

• Identify any mail that has entered their system in error and repatriate it to the correct carrier in a timely and efficient manner, and re-direct any misdirected customer enquiries to the appropriate operator.
• Meet minimum standards to ensure the integrity of mail, and to have procedures for recruitment, training and disciplining of staff, the physical security of mail, reporting incidents and responsibilities of agents and subcontractors.

The modifications were made on 2 November with the agreement of licensees and will come into effect on 1 January 2006.

More information on the changes to long term postal licences.