Postal Services Act 2011

Postal Services Act 2011

2011 CHAPTER 5

Commentary on Sections

Part 3: Regulation of postal services

Postal operators generally

Section 49: Essential conditions

231. Section 28 allows OFCOM to impose regulatory conditions on those providing postal services, which may include an “essential condition”. This section describes what “essential condition” can be imposed and on whom.

232. Subsection (1) provides that these conditions may be applied to every postal operator or to those of a particular description specified in the condition.

233. Subsection (2) provides that the essential conditions may be imposed for one of five reasons: to safeguard confidentiality of sending, conveying and delivery of letters, to safeguard security where dangerous goods are transported; to safeguard confidentiality of information conveyed; to guard against theft or loss of or damage to postal packets; and to secure the delivery of postal packets to the intended addresses.