Mail delivery organizations - Committee approves amendment of Postal Law: signals green for progress
The old postal law is about to undergo a major facelift. On Wednesday, the economic committee of the Bundestag approved a plan that members of the traffic light coalition had already agreed on. The plenum is expected to approve it on Thursday, and the Bundesrat is set to review it in July. If the state chamber signs off on it, this will be the first major overhaul of the postal law since its inception in 1998. In those days, letters were far more significant than they are now, and e-commerce with its massive packages was still in its infancy.
According to the bill, which passed with a majority vote by the committee, the German Post is set to experience less pressure in the future. Instead of having to deliver 95% of the current mail within two working days after it's been thrown in, they'll have to do it within three working days. This means the post service can potentially save on costs by getting rid of airmail for domestic letters, advancing it in climate protection and cutting expenses. The unfortunate result for us consumers is that we'll have to wait longer on average for our letters to arrive.
The bill also deals with other aspects. Improving working conditions in the industry is one of them - heavier parcels weighing more than 20 kilograms should be delivered by two people by default unless suitable technical equipment is available. In that case, single-person delivery would still be allowed. Subcontractors, who are often criticized by unions, will be more closely monitored in the future.
Lastly, the use of letter and parcel machines is meant to be streamlined. They can now be counted towards fulfilling the branch network obligation requirement, meaning we might see more machines installed, especially in rural areas and city outskirts, and potentially do away with post offices where people are available to help. Municipalities will have a say in this decision, and the Federal Network Agency will be part of the process too.
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The amended Postal Act, once approved by the Bundestag and the Bundesrat, will significantly impact Deutsche Post AG's operations in Germany. The postal services will face less pressure to deliver mail within two working days, instead having three days to do so. This change could potentially reduce costs by eliminating airmail for domestic letters and contributing to climate protection.
The economic committee's approval of the bill also aims to improve working conditions in the postal industry, ensuring heavier parcels are delivered by at least two people unless specific equipment is available. Subcontractors will be subject to closer monitoring, addressing concerns raised by unions.
The use of letter and parcel machines is another focus of the amended Postal Act. These machines will now be incorporated into the fulfillment of the branch network obligation, potentially leading to more installations in rural areas and city outskirts. Municipalities will have input in this decision, and the Federal Network Agency will play a role in the process.
The German postal services will undergo significant changes under the new Postal Law, which is about to undergo its first major overhaul since it was enacted in 1998. This comes around a time when digital communication and e-commerce have significantly transformed the role and importance of postal services in Germany.
These developments in postal services fall under the jurisdiction of the German parliament, specifically the Bundestag, which must approve the bill passed by its economic committee before it becomes law. The Federal Council will also have a say in the matter, and the process will continue to unfold in the coming months.
