The FFPI welcomes the German Competition Authority’s decision to stop discrimination in mail preparation services

The Free and Fair Post Initiative (FFPI) welcomed the
decision taken today by the German Cartel Office ordering Deutsche Post to allow
competition in the area of mail preparation services, as foreseen by EU rules.
The FFPI has in the past raised its concerns about existing restrictions in the German
postal market and considers that the action taken by the Cartel Office is a significant step
towards establishing a level-playing field for postal services in Germany. This decision
addresses a distorting situation whereby Deutsche Post abused its monopoly by refusing
to grant competitors rebates for collecting and sorting business mail, harming both smaller
providers and ultimately postal users. “Today’s decision launches a positive messages for
alternative operators, particularly SMEs, and users of postal services. It is also in line with
and supportive of the European Commission’s efforts in ensuring that EU competition rules
are respected and in promoting the attainment of an open and dynamic European postal
market” commented FFPI President, Philippe Bodson.
The FFPI believes that the Bundeskartellamt’s decision of today, together with the
infringement procedure launched by the Commission last year against a provision of the
German Postal Law, will create the conditions for a better functioning postal market. The
FFPI also trusts that German legislators, as well as decision-makers in all EU Member
States, will acknowledge the urgent need for more and fair business opportunities, higher
quality of service and more affordable rates for users, and that they will finally take the
direction of liberalisation.
The Free and Fair Post Initiative (FFPI) is a unique European initiative that brings together users
and competitors of the public postal operators who strongly believe in the benefit of a liberalised
and more competitive postal market. Through its membership, the FFPI currently represents more
than 7,1 million companies. The FFPI’s key objectives are to secure a final date for full liberalisation
of postal services at the latest in 2009 and a fair playing field in the postal sector to prevent public
postal monopolies to turn into private ones.
For more information, visit the FFPI Web site www.freefairpost.com or contact Valeria Fagone.
Tel: 32-2-777.05.35. Fax: 32-2-777.05.36. E-mail: [email protected].