Letter delivery times: Clear rejection of second-class letters

The shipping of parcels and parcels has experienced a real boom in recent years. More and more goods are being purchased via mail order. At the same time, the number of letters is continually decreasing. However, they remain an important means of communication.

Transformation of letter and parcel logistics

From the point of view of consumer advice centers, further challenges such as digitalization and the sustainable transformation of letter and parcel logistics make a fundamental modernization of the postal law necessary.

“When modernizing the postal law, consumer interests must not be ignored. Instead of discussing the introduction of a second-class letter, a first-class supply of postal services to consumers should continue to be ensured.”

Wolfgang Schuldzinski, board member of the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

In general, the consumer advice centers of North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia welcome the planned reform of the postal law by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. The key issues paper from January 26th contains important approaches for adapting the postal system to the new challenges of the digital world, according to consumer advocates.

Delivery specifications and “two-class delivery”

This applies, for example, to the idea of ​​rethinking the current delivery times for postal items. Currently, 80 percent of letters have to be delivered on the next working day on an annual average. From the point of view of the consumer advice centers in North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia, sticking to the current deadlines is not absolutely necessary.

A moderate extension of the delivery time by one day also makes sense in terms of sustainability. However, this must not be combined with allowing fast and slow deliveries for standard letters with different price levels. Wolfgang Schuldzinski is therefore critical of the “two-class delivery” recently brought up by providers and the federal government.

“In addition to adjusting delivery times, there is no need for two-class letters. It is feared that downgrading the standard letter to a second-class letter would amount to a price increase through the back door.”  

Wolfgang Schuldzinski, board member of the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

Digitalization with a sense of proportion

From the point of view of the consumer advice centers, the necessary further development of digital offers must take place with all population groups in mind. The expansion of digitalization should not lead to people being excluded from offers because, for example, the technical requirements in rural regions are not sufficient or they cannot keep up with the progress of the digital world.

“Postal services must therefore continue to be accessible to consumers in stationary locations. They must not be replaced without replacement by digital alternatives.”

Wolfgang Schuldzinski, board member of the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

Incentives for more sustainability

In order to promote the sustainable provision of postal services, transport companies should be obliged to jointly handle the so-called last mile delivery and to share existing infrastructure, such as parcel boxes. This could not only reduce the CO2 emissions of the providers, but also those of the users, who can collect their shipments without additional journeys. A possible CO2 labeling requirement for packages must be designed in such a way that greenwashing - for example through the purchase of certificates - is effectively prevented.

Further information and links

The entire position paper from the consumer advice centers of North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia on the amendment to the Postal Act can be found here .

Source:

North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center

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