The Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC) established a regulatory framework for European postal services. The universal service obligation (USO) is the core of the postal services directive. In line with the principle of subsidiarity and acknowledging the differences in the postal markets of EU countries, the directive gives flexibility to EU member countries, allowing them to adapt elements of domestic postal services to their particular needs.
The universal service obligation (USO) is the core of the Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC, amended by Directives 2002/39/EC and 2008/6/EC). This is the requirement that letters and parcels should be delivered to each home or business premises, on 5 days each week, throughout each EU country (with exemptions).
In particular, the postal services directive
The Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC) amended by Directives 2002/39/EC and 2008/6/EC.
Latest report on the application of the postal services directive (2015)