Post (international work)

Our aim is to contribute constructively to international legislative and regulatory developments which concern our duties and responsibilities in relation to postal matters, and which affect UK citizens and consumers in this area.

To achieve this, we engage with and contribute to the development of international regulatory thinking through participation in the relevant groups – as outlined below – and also through our bilateral contacts with other NRAs.

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

Ofcom aims to take part in the UPU Congress. The UPU is a UN organization of 192 member countries which is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector stakeholders. It works to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the terminal dues rates and standards for international mail and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail and parcels volumes and to improve quality of service for customers.

The UPU holds a Congress every four years. In addition, the UPU will hold an Extraordinary Congress in 2023 to take decision on opening the UPU to wider postal sector players.

Last held: 2021, Cote D'Ivoire
Next scheduled Congress: 2025, United Arab Emirates

European Committee for Postal Regulation

CERP is a body composed of the postal ministries and regulators of its 48 member countries covering an area wider than the EU.  It has two sub-groups, on policy and UPU issues respectively, to which we contribute. It is responsible for European co-ordination and preparation for UPU meetings, especially the Congress.

European Regulators' Group for Post (ERGP)

Before leaving the European Union, Ofcom was an active participant in the European Regulators’ Group for Post (ERGP) formed by the postal regulators of the EU and EEA Member States, which gives expert advice to the European Commission on postal regulatory issues.

We continue to cooperate with ERGP as appropriate, and to collaborate with European counterparts to exchange best practices for dealing with common challenges.