Polish postal inspection
A price increase for postal services that went into effect on January 1, 2001 will be re-examined by the Office for the Protection of Competition and Consumers (UOKiK) following a decision issued by the Anti-Monopoly Court. The UOKiK had previously analyzed the rate hikes, which on average ranged from 20% to 40%, but found them to be warranted by market conditions that include significant competition from courier firms. The Direct Marketing Association (SMB), which affiliates mail order companies, filed a protest against the price increase. In particular, it criticized the manner of its introduction through a three-day notice period. The UOKiK initially rejected the SMB charges on grounds that postal rate hikes take place annually and that state subsidies for the Polish post continue to fall. However, the SMB appealed this position with the Anti-Monopoly Court, which found that the UOKiK nevertheless failed to fully analyze all factual circumstances surrounding the postal action.
Copyright 2003 Polish News Bulletin of the British and American Embassies. Source : Financial Times Information Limited.
