Terms of Reference of the Free and Fair Post
Initiative
2008
The Free and
Fair Post Initiative (FFPI) promotes liberalisation of postal services and fair
competition in the postal sector. The FFPI welcomes the fixation of a final
date for full market opening at EU level. The FFPI also identifies and sheds
light on potential breaches of EU Internal Market rules and on competitive
distortions.
The initiative
recognises that the Universal Service Obligation is vital in order to guarantee
the supply of fundamental postal services for the benefit of consumers and
stresses the importance of the role of National Regulatory Authorities in
ensuring its provision.
Objectives
- The promotion
of the opening of the market for postal services to the benefit of users
and consumers even prior to full liberalisation at EU level at the end of
2010.
- Ongoing review
of the implementation of the Third Postal Directive to ensure the full and
correct execution of all its provisions and to prevent any barriers to
liberalisation.
- Constant
review and benchmarking of the Universal Service Obligation in order to
ensure that it is organised optimally and not used as a pretext to oppose
further market opening.
- Expose the
abuse of anti-competitive behavior of dominant national postal operators,
in particular the abuse of monopoly revenue to cross-subsidise
competitive activities.
- Expose and
pursue breaches of Internal Market and competition rules in the Member
States relating to the postal sector.
- The promotion
of the correct implementation of EC Directives on postal services by the
Member States.
Not-for-profit Organisation
The FFPI has been established as a
voluntary, independent, not-for-profit, initiative. The initiative does not
receive any subsidies from any governmental body and it relies on membership
fees to cover its operating expenses.
Membership in the FFPI is open to all persons and entities that agree to these
terms of reference.
Governance – Management Structure
The FFPI’s President oversees and supports,
as appropriate, the execution of the initiative’s programme. The President
ensures that the actions undertaken by the Initiative are in line with the
agreed terms of reference and overall action programme. He acts as the prime
spokesperson for the FFPI.
