Product changes including new products

If Royal Mail wants to make changes to any of its regulated or non-regulated services it is required, under the terms of its licence, to notify Postcomm and publish details of the changes three months prior to the changes coming into effect.  These changes include details of prices, standards of service and compensation arrangements as well as general terms and conditions.  A full list of all Royal Mail notifications regarding changes to its products can be found on the following link http://www.psc.gov.uk/royal-mail-standards-and-prices/product-changes/royal-mail-s-new-products-and-the-price-control.html.

If Royal Mail wants to make “less beneficial” changes to any of its services that are regulated by Postcomm, it must follow the process that is set out in its licence under Condition 21.  A change to the terms and conditions of a service that makes them more onerous to customers would be considered “less beneficial”.

Part of the process for “less beneficial” changes is consultation with mail users about the proposed changes.  That consultation may be conducted through Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for postal services, or in some cases Postcomm will carry out a consultation.

Royal Mail is able to apply to Postcomm for exemption from the requirement to notify Postcomm and publish the details of changes to their products three months in advance.  Postcomm may, after consultation, determine that Royal Mail is required to make alternative notification arrangements or no notification for that particular service.

More information on Postcomm’s consultations on Royal Mail’s proposed changes to its products and requests for exemption from the notification requirements contained within its licence is available from the links below:

Requests for exemption (Condition 7)                                   

Product changes (Condition 21)