EU's McCreevy urges rapid implementation of postal directive

European Union internal market commissioner Charle McCreevy has called for the rapid implementation of the European Commission’s postal directive into national legislation.

Speaking at a conference on postal market reform, he said member states’ complacency about the transposition period of the directive will only lead to delay.

The commissioner said the directive’s transposition will be a ‘test’ for member states and the commission as to whether postal reform is taken seriously.

The EU executive’s postal services directive, which liberalises the letter mail market, aims at opening up the European market in 2011. New member states have until 2013 to implement the legislation.

McCreevy said a level playing field was a ‘pre-condition’ for a true internal market of postal services, yet there are different interpretations over its definition.

‘In the worst-case scenario, the transposition period is used to invent creative market entry barriers. Barriers that are then concealed under a blanket which is inappropriately called a level playing field. Paying lip service to free markets and introducing protectionism through the back door is not acceptable,’ he said.

The commissioner stressed the smooth transition to a level playing field will require strong national postal regulatory authorities.

European Union internal market commissioner Charle McCreevy has called for the rapid implementation of the European Commission’s postal directive into national legislation.

Speaking at a conference on postal market reform, he said member states’ complacency about the transposition period of the directive will only lead to delay.

The commissioner said the directive’s transposition will be a ‘test’ for member states and the commission as to whether postal reform is taken seriously.

The EU executive’s postal services directive, which liberalises the letter mail market, aims at opening up the European market in 2011. New member states have until 2013 to implement the legislation.

McCreevy said a level playing field was a ‘pre-condition’ for a true internal market of postal services, yet there are different interpretations over its definition.

‘In the worst-case scenario, the transposition period is used to invent creative market entry barriers. Barriers that are then concealed under a blanket which is inappropriately called a level playing field. Paying lip service to free markets and introducing protectionism through the back door is not acceptable,’ he said.

The commissioner stressed the smooth transition to a level playing field will require strong national postal regulatory authorities.