CHAPTER 1

Objective and scope
Article 1
This Directive establishes common rules concerning:
- the conditions governing the provision of postal services,
- the provision of a universal postal service within the Community,
- the financing of universal services under conditions that guarantee the permanent provision of such services,
- tariff principles and transparency of accounts for universal service provision,
- the setting of quality standards for universal service provision and the setting-up of a system to ensure compliance with those standards,
- the harmonisation of technical standards,
- the creation of independent national regulatory authorities.
Substituted by Directive 2008/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the full accomplishment of the internal market of Community postal services.