Postal services licence – obstacles blocking access to the Belgian postal market will be removed

Postal services licence – obstacles blocking access to the Belgian postal market will be removed

Access to the Belgian postal market will be made simpler. The Minister’s council approved a new postal services bill on Friday, which will remove some legislative hurdles.

Up until now, new businesses entering the Belgian postal market had to ensure post would be distributed at least twice a week for the first two years. They also had to progressively increase the territory they cover in the first five years and apply a single tariff throughout the whole of Belgium.

The European Commission severely criticised these conditions at the end of April. They thought they were too strict for businesses wanting to compete with bpost.

The new law also confirms bpost’s status as the universal provider for Belgium. It means the public company has to ensure a universal postal service of a certain standard and at an accessible price throughout Belgium.

The bill also talks about quality working conditions, says the Postal Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld). There are also clauses to avoid social dumping and fake independent businesses.

The Minister added that the law provides favourable and stable legislation for the future, which should encourage investment and innovation in the Belgian postal sector. The law meets the need for more digital and flexible solutions, for example in delivering packages.

More than 25,000 people work for the postal sector in Belgium.      

(Source: Belga)


Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.