Directive 2002/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

Id-Direttiva 2002/39/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill

of 10 June 2002

ta' l-10 ta' Ġunju 2002

amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the further opening to competition of Community postal services

li temenda d-Direttiva 97/67/KE fir-rigward tal-ftuħ ulterjuri għal kompetizzjoni tas-servizzi postali Komunitarji

IL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW U L-KUNSILL TA' L- UNJONI EWROPEA,

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Wara li kkunsidraw it-Trattat li jistabbilixxi l-Komunità Ewropea, u b'mod partikolari l-Artikolu 47(2), l-Artikolu 55 u l-Artikolu 95 tiegħu,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 47(2), Article 55 and Article 95 thereof,

Wara li kkunsidraw il-proposta mill-Kummissjoni [1],

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),

Wara li kkunsidraw l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat Ekonomiku u Soċjali [2],

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(2),

Wara li kkunsidraw l-opinjoni tal-Kumitat tar-Reġjuni [3],

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions(3),

Filwaqt li jaġixxu skond il-proċedura stabbilita fl-Artikolu 251 tat-Trattat [4],

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty(4),

Billi:

Whereas:

(1) Fir-Riżoluzzjoni tagħha tas-7 ta' Frar 1994 dwar l-iżvilupp tas-servizzi postali Komunitarji [5], il-Kunsill identifika bħala waħda mill-miri ewlenija tal-politika postali Komunitarja r-rikonċiljazzjoni tat-titjib tal-liberalizzazzjoni gradwali, kkontrollata tas-suq postali u dik ta' garanzija durabbli tad-disposizzjoni ta' servizz universali.

(1) In its Resolution of 7 February 1994 on the development of Community postal services(5), the Council identified as one of the main objectives of Community postal policy the reconciliation of the furtherance of the gradual, controlled liberalisation of the postal market and that of a durable guarantee of the provision of universal service.

(2) Id-Direttiva 97/67/KE tal-Parlament Ewropew u tal-Kunsill tal-15 ta' Diċembru 1997 dwar regoli komuni għall-iżvilupp tas-suq intern ta' servizzi postali Komuitarji u t-titjib ta' kwalità ta' servizzi [6] stabbiliet qafas regolatorju għas-settur postali f'livell Komunitarju, inklużi miżuri biex jiġi garantit servizz universali u jiġu stabbiliti limiti massimi għas-servizzi postali li Stati Membri jistgħu jirriservaw għall-provditur(i) tas-servizz universali tagħhom bl-iskop li jinżamm is-servizz universali, u skeda biex jittieħdu deċiżjonijiet dwar il-ftuħ ulterjuri tas-suq għall-kompetizzjoni, għall-iskopijiet li jiġi kkreat suq singolu f'servizzi postali.

(2) Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service(6) established a regulatory framework for the postal sector at Community level, including measures to guarantee a universal service and the setting of maximum limits for the postal services which Member States may reserve to their universal service provider(s) with a view to the maintenance of the universal service, and a timetable for decision-making on the further opening of the market to competition, for the purposes of creating a single market in postal services.

(3) l-Artikolu 16 tat-Trattat jemfasizza l-post okkupat minn servizzi ta' interess ekonomiku ġenerali fil-valuri mqassma ta' l-Unjoni kif ukoll ir-rwol tagħhom fil-promozzjoni ta' koeżjoni soċjali u territorjali. Ikompli biex jgħid li għandha tingħata kura li dawn is-servizzi joperaw fuq il-bażi ta' prinċipji u kondizzjonijiet li jippermettulhom jissodisfaw il-missjonijiet tagħhom.

(3) Article 16 of the Treaty highlights the place occupied by services of general economic interest in the shared values of the Union as well as their role in promoting social and territorial cohesion. It goes on to state that care should be taken that such services operate on the basis of principles and conditions which enable them to fulfil their missions.

(4) Ir-Riżoluzzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew ta' l-14 ta' Jannar 1999 [7] u tat-18 ta' Frar 2000 [8] dwar is-servizzi postali Ewropej jemfasizzaw l-importanza soċjali u ekonomika ta' servizzi postali u l-bżonn li tinżamm kwalità għolja ta' servizz universali.

(4) The European Parliament's Resolutions of 14 January 1999(7) and 18 February 2000(8) on European postal services highlight the social and economic importance of postal services and the need to maintain a high quality of universal service.

(5) Il-miżuri f'dan il-qasam għandhom ikunu maħsuba b'tali mod li x-xogħolijiet soċjali tal-Komunità skond l-Artikolu 2 tat-Trattat, l-iktar, livell għoli ta' mpjieg u ta' protezzjoni soċjali, jintlaħqu wkoll bħala miri.

(5) The measures in this area should be designed in such a way that the social tasks of the Community pursuant to Article 2 of the Treaty, namely, a high level of employment and of social protection, are also achieved as objectives.

(6) Ir-rettikolat rurali postali inter alia f' reġjuni muntanjużi u gżejjer għandu rwol essenzjali fl-integrazzjoni ta' negozji fl-ekonomija nazzjonali/globali u f'li tinżamm koeżjoni f'termini soċjali u ta' impjieg f'reġjuni rurali muntanjużi u gżejjer.

(6) The rural postal network inter alia in mountain and island regions plays an essential role in integrating businesses into the national/global economy and in maintaining cohesion in social and employment terms in rural mountain and island regions. Furthermore, rural post offices in mountain and island regions can provide an essential infrastructure network affording universal access to new telecommunications technologies.

(7) Il-Kunsill Ewropew, li ltaqa' f'Lisbona, fit-23 u fl-24 ta' Marzu 2000, stabilixxa fil-konklużjonijiet tal-Presidenza tiegħu żewġ deċiżjonijiet li japplikaw għal servizzi postali, fejn kienet mitluba azzjoni mill-Kummissjoni, mill-Kunsill u mill-Istati Membri skond il-poteri rispettivi tagħhom. L-azzjonijiet mitluba huma: l-ewwel, biex tiġi stabbilita sa l-aħħar ta' l-2000 strateġija għat-tneħħija ta' barrieri għas-servizzi postali, u t-tieni, sabiex issir iktar mgħaġġla l-liberalizzazzjoni f'oqsma bħal servizzi postali, bil-mira dikjarata li tkun sabiex jintlaħaq suq kompletament operazzjonali f'dawn is-servizzi.

(7) The European Council, meeting in Lisbon, on 23 and 24 March 2000, set out in its Presidency conclusions two decisions applying to postal services, whereby action was requested of the Commission, the Council and the Member States in accordance with their respective powers. The requested actions are: first, to set out by the end of 2000 a strategy for the removal of barriers to postal services, and secondly, to speed up liberalisation in areas such as postal services, the stated aim being to achieve a fully operational market in such services.

(8) Il-Kunsill Ewropew ta' Lisbona ikkunsidrah essenzjali wkoll li, fil-kwadru tas-suq intern ta' ekonomija bbażata fuq it-tagħrif, jittieħed kont sħiħ tad-disposizzjonijiet tat-Trattat li jirrelataw għas-servizz ta' interess ekonomiku ġenerali u għall-intrapriżi fdati bl-operazzjoni ta' dawn is-servizzi.

(8) The Lisbon European Council also considered it essential that, in the framework of the internal market and of a knowledge-based economy, full account is taken of the Treaty provisions relating to services of general economic interest and to the undertakings entrusted with operating such services.

(9) Il-Kummissjoni għamlet reviżjoni dettaljata tas-settur postali Komunitarju, inkluża l-kummissjoni ta' studji dwar l-iżviluppi ekonomici, socjali u teknologici fis-settur u kkonsultat estensivament ma' partijiet interessati.

(9) The Commission has undertaken a thorough review of the Community postal sector, including the commissioning of studies on the economic, social and technological developments in the sector, and has consulted extensively with interested parties.

(10) Is-settur postali Komunitarju jeħtieġ qafas modern regolatorju li jimmira b'mod partikolari biex itejjeb is-suq intern għal servizzi postali. Kompetittività miżjuda għandha tippermetti li s-settur postali jiġi integrat ma' metodi alternattivi ta' komunikazzjoni u tippermetti li l-kwalità tas-servizz provdut lil utenti li dejjem jiddomandaw iktar titjieb

(10) The Community postal sector requires a modern regulatory framework which aims in particular at enhancing the internal market for postal services. Increased competitiveness should enable the postal sector to be integrated with alternative methods of communication and allow the quality of the service provided to ever-more demanding users to be improved.

(11) Il-mira bażika ta' salvagwardja tad-disposizzjoni durabbli ta' servizz universali li jaqbel ma' l-istandard ta' kwalità definit mill-Istati Membri skond l-Artikolu 3 tad-Direttiva 97/67/KE fuq bażi konsistenti fil-Komunità tista' tiġi assigurata jekk, f' dan il-qasam, il-possibiltà li jiġu riżervati servizzi tinżamm u, fl-istess ħin, kondizzjonijiet ta' effiċjenza għolja assigurati bi grad suffiċjenti ta' libertà li jiġu provduti servizzi.

(11) The basic aim of safeguarding the durable provision of a universal service matching the standard of quality defined by the Member States in accordance with Article 3 of Directive 97/67/EC on a consistent basis throughout the Community can be secured if, in this area, the possibility of reserving services is maintained and, at the same time, conditions of high efficiency ensured by a sufficient degree of freedom to provide services.

(12) Iż-żieda fid-domanda fis-settur postali kollu, prevista għat-terminu medju, tista' tgħin sabiex ikun hemm offset tat-telf tas-sehem tas-suq li l-provdituri tas-servizz universali jistgħu isofru bħala riżultat ta' ftuħ tas-suq ulterjuri u għalhekk ikun hemm iktar salvagwardja tas-servizz universali.

(12) The increase in demand within the postal sector as a whole, predicted for the medium term, could help to offset the loss of market share that the universal service providers may incur as a result of further market-opening and would thereby further safeguard the universal service.

(13) Fost il-fatturi li jġibu bidla li teffettwa l-impjieg fis-settur postali, l-iżvilupp tekniku u l-pressjoni tas-suq għal gwadanni fl-effiċjenza huma l-iktar importanti; mill-fatturi rimanenti għal bidla, il-ftuħ tas-suq ikollu parti inqas prominenti. Il-ftuħ tas-suq jgħin għall-espansjoni tad-daqs globali tas-swieq postali, u kull tnaqqis fil-livelli tal-personal fost il-provdituri tas-servizz universali minħabba dawn il-miżuri (jew l-antiċipazzjoni tagħhom) x'aktarx ikunu offset bit-tkabbir li jirriżulta fl-impjieg fost operaturi privati u introduzzjonijiet oħra fis-suq

(13) Amongst the factors which bring about change affecting employment in the postal sector, technological development and market pressure for efficiency gains are the most important; of the remaining factors for change, market-opening will play a less prominent part. Market-opening will help to expand the overall size of the postal markets, and any reductions in staff levels among the universal service providers due to such measures (or their anticipation) are likely to be offset by the resulting growth in employment among private operators and new market entrants.

(14) Huwa approprjati li tiġi provduta f'livell Komunitarju skeda għall-ftuħ gradwali u kkontrollat ta' l-ittri fis-suq għall-kompetizzjoni li tippermetti lill-provdituri kollha ta' servizz universali żmien biżżejjed sabiex jitqiegħdu f'posthom miżuri oħra ta' modernizzazzjoni u ristrutturazzjoni meħtieġa sabiex ikun hemm assigurazzjoni tal-vijabilità tagħhom għal żmien twil taħt il-kondizzjonijiet ġodda tas-suq. Huwa wkoll meħtieġ perjodu ta' żmien approprjat sabiex l-Istati Membri jkunu jistgħu jaddattaw is-sistemi regolatorji tagħhom għal ambjent iktar miftuħ. Hu għalhekk approprjat li jkun hemm provediment għal approċ pass b'pass għal ftuħ ulterjuri tas-suq, li jikkonsisti f'passi intermedji li jirrappreżentaw ftuħ sinifikanti imma kkontrollat tas-suq, b'warajh reviżjoni u proposta li tikkonferma, jekk approprjat, id-data ta' 2009 għat-tlestija kompleta tas-suq intern għal servizzi postali jew li jiddetermina pass rilevanti alternattiv lejh fid-dawl tar-riżultati ta' reviżjoni.

(14) It is appropriate to provide at Community level a timetable for a gradual and controlled opening of the letters market to competition which allows all universal service providers sufficient time to put in place the further measures of modernisation and restructuring required to ensure their long-term viability under the new market conditions. An appropriate period of time is also needed to enable Member States to adapt their regulatory systems to a more open environment. It is therefore appropriate to provide for a step-by-step approach to further market-opening, consisting of intermediate steps representing significant but controlled opening of the market, followed by a review and proposal confirming, if appropriate, the date of 2009 for the full accomplishment of the internal market for postal services or determining a relevant alternative step towards it in the light of the review results.

(15) Huwa approprjat li jiġi assigurat li l-fażijiet li jmiss tal-ftuħ tas-suq huma kemm sostanzjali in-natura kemm li jistgħu jintlaħħqu fil-prattika għall-Istati Membri waqt li wkoll jassiguraw il-kontinwazzjoni ta' servizz universali.

(15) It is appropriate to ensure that the next phases of market-opening are both substantial in nature and achievable in practice for the Member States whilst also ensuring the continuing of universal service.

(16) Tnaqqis ġenerali sa 100 gramma fl-2003 u 50 gramma fl-2006 fil-limitu tal-piż tas-servizzi li jistgħu jiġu rriżervati għall-provdituri tas-servizz universali, kumbinat bil-ftuħ komplet għal kompetizzjoni ta' posta transfruntiera għal barra, b'eċċezzjonijiet possibbli sal-limitu neċessarju sabiex tiġi assigurata disposizzjoni ta' servizz universali, jirrappreżentaw fażijiet ulterjuri relattivament sempliċi u kkontrollati li madankollu huma sinifikanti.

(16) General reductions to 100 grams in 2003 and 50 grams in 2006 in the weight limit of the services which may be reserved to the universal service providers, combined with opening outgoing cross-border mail fully to competition with possible exceptions to the extent necessary to ensure the provision of universal service, represent relatively simple and controlled further phases which are nevertheless significant.

(17) Fil-Komunutà, oġġetti ta' korrispondenza ordinarja li jiżnu bejn 50 gramma u 350 gramma jirrappreżentaw fuq medja bejn wieħed u ieħor 16 % tad-dħul totali postali tal-provdituri tas-servizz universali, li minnhom 9 % jikkorrispondu għal oġġetti ta' korrispondenza ordinarja li jiżnu bejn 100 gramma u 350 gramma, waqt li oġġetti ta' korrispondeza trans-fruntiera għal barra taħt il-limitu ta' piż ta' 50 gramma jirrappreżentaw bejn wieħed u ieħor 3 % oħra, fuq medja, tad-dħul postali totali tal-provdituri tas-servizz universali.

(17) In the Community, items of ordinary correspondence weighing between 50 grams and 350 grams represent on average approximately 16 % of the total postal revenues of the universal service providers, out of which 9 % correspond to items of ordinary correspondence weighing between 100 grams and 350 grams, whilst items of outward cross-border correspondence below the 50-gram weight limit represent a further 3 % or so, on average, of the total postal revenues of the universal service providers.

(18) Limiti tal-prezz għas-servizzi kapaċi li jiġu rriżervati, ta' rispettivament tlieta fl-2003 u darbtejn u nofs fl-2006 it-tariffa pubblika għal oġġett ta' korrispondenza fl-ewwel livell ta' l-użin tal-kategorija standard l-iktar mgħaġġla, huma approrpjati in kombinazzjoni ma' limiti tal-piż ta' 100 gramma u 50 gramma meta applikabbli.

(18) Price limits for the services capable of being reserved, of respectively three in 2003 and two-and-a-half times in 2006 the public tariff for an item of correspondence in the first weight step of the fastest standard category, are appropriate in combination with 100-gram and 50-gram weight limits where applicable.

(19) Il-posta diretta diġà tirrappreżenta fil-biċċa l-kbira ta' l-Istati Membri suq dinamiku u li qed jikber bi prospetti sostanzjali ta' tkabbir waqt li fl-Istati Membri li jibqa' hemm potenzjal konsiderevoli għal tkabbir. Posta diretta hija diġà miftuħa fil-biċċa l-kbira għal kompetizzjoni f'sitt Stati Membri. It-titjib fil-flessibiltà tas-servizz u t-tqegħid ta' prezzijiet li jirriżulta minn kompetizzjoni itejjeb il-posizzjoni ta' posta diretta meta mqabbla ma' medja ta' komunikazzjoni alternattiva, li, imbagħad, x' aktarx twassal għal partiti postali ġodda bħal spin-off addizzjonali u ssaħħaħ il-posizzjoni ta' l-industrija postali in ġenerali. Madankollu, sal-limitu neċessarju sabiex tiġi assigurata l-provvista ta' servizz universali, għandu jkun provdut li posta diretta tista' tibqa' tiġi rriżervata fil-limiti tal-piż u tal-prezzijiet ta' hawn fuq.

(19) Direct mail already represents in most Member States a dynamic and growing market with substantial growth prospects while in the remaining Member States there is considerable potential for growth. Direct mail is already largely open to competition in six Member States. The improvements in service flexibility and pricing resultant from competition would improve the position of direct mail versus alternative communications media, which, in turn, would be likely to lead to new postal items as an additional spin-off and strengthen the position of the postal industry as a whole. Nevertheless, to the extent necessary to ensure the provision of universal service, it should be provided that direct mail may continue to be reserved within the above weight and price limits.

(20) Posta għal barra transfruntiera tirrapreżenta fuq medja 3 % tad-dħul postali totali. Il-ftuħ ta' din il-parti tas-suq fl-Istati Membri kollha, b'eċċezzjonijiet li kienu jkunu neċessarji sabiex tiġi assigurata l-provvista ta' servizz universali, ikun jippermetti operaturi postali differenti li jiġbru, jorganizzaw u jittrasportaw il-posta kollha għal barra trans-fruntiera.

(20) Outgoing cross-border mail represents on average 3 % of total postal revenues. Opening this part of the market in all Member States, with exceptions that would be necessary to ensure the provision of universal service, would allow different postal operators to collect, sort and transport all outgoing cross-border mail.

(21) Il-ftuħ ta' posta għal ġewwa transfruntiera għal kompetizzjoni tkun tippermetti li jiġu evitati l-limiti ta' 100 gramma fl-2003 u 50 gramma fl-2006 permezz ta' l-allokazzjoni mill-ġdid ta' l-impustar ta' proporzjon ta' posta domestika bl-ingrossa, biex b'hekk l-effetti tiegħu ma jkunux jistgħu jiġu ppreveduti. L-identifikazzjoni ta' l-oriġini ta' oġġetti ta' korrispondenza tista' tippreżenta diffikultajiet addizzjonali ta' applikabilità. limiti tal-piż ta' 100 gramma u 50 gramma għal oġġett ta' korrispondenza ordinarju trans fruntier għal ġewwa u posta diretta, kif ukoll għal korrispondenza domestika ordinarja, huma prattiċi peress li ma jippreżentawx riskju ta' ċirkumvenzjoni jew b'dan il-mod jew permezz ta' żieda artifiċjali fil-piż ta' oġġetti individwali ta' korrispondenza.

(21) Opening incoming cross-border mail to competition would allow circumvention of the 100-gram in 2003 and 50-gram in 2006 limits through relocation of the posting of a proportion of bulk domestic mail, thereby making its effects unpredictable. Identifying the origins of items of correspondence could present additional enforcement difficulties. 100-gram and 50-gram weight limits for items of ordinary incoming cross-border correspondence and direct mail, as for ordinary domestic correspondence, are practical as they do not present a risk of circumvention either in this way or through an artificial increase in the weight of individual items of correspondence.

(22) Li tiġi stabbilita skeda issa, li timmira lejn passi ulterjuri lejn li jseħħ kompletament suq intern għal servizzi postali, huwa importanti kemm għall-vijabbilità għal żmien twil tas-servizz universali u kemm għall-iżvilupp li jkompli ta' posta moderna u effiċjenti.

(22) Setting a timetable now, aimed at further steps towards the full accomplishment of the internal market for postal services, is important for both the long-term viability of the universal service and the continued development of modern and efficient posts.

(23) Huwa approprjat li jibqa' jkun hemm provvediment għall-possibiltà għal Stati Membri li jirriżervaw ċerti servizzi postali għall-provditur(i) universali tagħhom tas-servizz. Dawn l-arranġamenti jippermettu lill-provedituri universali tas-servizz li jikkompletaw il-proċess ta' adattament ta' l-operazzjonijiet u r-riżorsi umani tagħhom għal kondizzjonijiet ta' kompetizzjoni akbar mingħajr ma jitħawwad l-ekwilibriju finanzjarju tagħhom u għalhekk mingħajr ma tiġi pperikolata s-salvagwardja ta' servizz universali.

(23) It is appropriate to continue to provide for the possibility for Member States to reserve certain postal services to their universal service provider(s). These arrangements will enable the universal service providers to complete the process of adapting their operations and human resources to conditions of greater competition without upsetting their financial equilibrium and thus without jeopardising the safeguarding of universal service.

(24) Huwa approprjat kemm li jiġu definiti limiti ġodda ta' piż u ta' prezz u s-servizzi li jistgħu japplikaw għalihom u kemm li jiġi provdut għal reviżjoni ulterjuri u konfirma ta' deċiżjoni, jekk approprjat, tad-data ta' l-2009 biex jintlaħaq kompletament is-suq intern għal servizzi postali, jew biex jiġi determinat pass alternattiv lejh fid-dawl tar-riżultati tar-reviżjoni.

(24) It is appropriate both to define the new weight and price limits and the services to which they may apply and to provide for a further review and decision confirming, if appropriate, the date of 2009 for the full accomplishment of the internal market for postal services, or determining a relevant alternative step towards it in the light of the review results.

(25) Miżuri adottati minn Stat Membru, inkluż l-istabbiliment ta' fond ta' kumpens jew kull bidla fl-operazzjoni tiegħu jew kull implimentazzjoni tiegħu, jew pagament minnu, jista' jinvolvi għajnuna mogħtija minn Stat Membru jew permezz ta' riżorsi ta' l-Istat fi kwalunkwe forma fis-sens ta' l-Artikolu 87(1) tat-Trattat li tinneċessita notifika minn qabel lill-Kummissjoni skond l-Artikolu 88(3) tiegħu,

(25) Measures adopted by a Member State, including the establishment of a compensation fund or any change in its operation or any implementation of, or payment from, it, may involve aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the Treaty necessitating prior notification to the Commission pursuant to Article 88(3) thereof.

(26) Il-kunċett ta' l-għoti ta' liċenza lil kompetituri fiż-żona ta' servizz universali jista' jiġi kkumbinat ma' ħtiġiet li jobbligaw li dawn il-liċenzi jikkontribwixxu għall-provvista ta' servizz universali.

(26) The concept of licensing competitors in the universal service area can be combined with requirements obliging such licensees to contribute to the provision of universal service.

(27) Id-Direttiva 97/67/KE stabbiliet li Stati Membri għandhom jinnominaw awtorità regolatorja waħda jew iktar għas-settur postali li huma legalment separati minn, u operazzjonalment indipendenti mill-operaturi postali. In vista tad-dinamiċi tas-swieq Postali Ewropej, ir-rwol importanti li awtoritajiet nazzjonali regolatorji jiżvolġu għandu jkun rikonoxxut u għandu jiġi estiż, b'mod partikolari fejn jidħol il-kompitu li jiġi assigurat li s-servizzi riżervati huma rispettati, ħlief fi Stati Membri fejn ma hemm ebda servizzi riżervati. L-Artikolu 9 tad-Direttiva 97/67/KE jippermetti lil Stati Membri jmorru lil hinn mill-miri ta' dik id-Direttiva.

(27) Directive 97/67/EC established that Member States are to designate one or more national regulatory authorities for the postal sector that are legally separate from, and operationally independent of, the postal operators. In view of the dynamics of the European Postal markets, the important role national regulatory authorities play should be acknowledged and furthered, in particular concerning the task of ensuring that the reserved services are respected, except in Member States where there are no reserved services. Article 9 of Directive 97/67/EC allows Member States to go beyond the objectives of that Directive.

(28) Jista' jkun approprjat għal awtoritajiet regolatorji nazzjonali li jorbtu l-introduzzjoni ta' liċenzi mal-ħtiġiet li konsumaturi tas-servizzi tal-liċenzjati għandu jkollhom proċeduri trasparenti, sempliċi u mhux għoljin disponibbli lilhom biex jittrattaw l-ilmenti tagħhom, minkejja l-fatt ta' jekk jirrelatawx għas-servizzi tal-provditur (i) tas-servizz universali jew għal dawk ta' operaturi fil-pussess ta' awtorizzazzjonijiet, inklużi detenturi individwali ta' liċenza, Jista' wkoll ikun approprjat li dawn il-proċeduri jkunu disponibbli lill-utenti tas-servizzi postali kollha, kemm jekk huma servizzi universali u kemm jekk le. Dawn il-proċeduri għandhom jinkludu proċeduri biex tiġi determinata responsabbiltà fil-każ ta' telf ta', jew ħsara lil, oġġetti tal-posta.

(28) It might be appropriate for national regulatory authorities to link the introduction of licences to requirements that consumers of the licensees' services are to have transparent, simple and inexpensive procedures available to them for dealing with their complaints, regardless of whether they relate to the services of the universal service provider(s) or to those of operators holding authorisations, including individual licence-holders. It might be further appropriate for these procedures to be available to users of all postal services, whether or not they are universal services. Such procedures should include procedures for determining responsibility in case of loss of, or damage to, mail items.

(29) Il-provdituri tas-servizz universali normalment jipprovdu servizzi, per eżempju lil klijenti kummerċjali, konsolidaturi ta' posta għal klijenti differenti u għal dawk li jibagħtu l-posta bl-ingrossa, u jippermettulhom jidħlu fil-proċess tal-posta f'punti differenti u taħt kondizzjonijiet differenti b'paragun mas-servizz standard ta' l-ittri. B'hekk, il-provdituri tas-servizz universali għandhom jikkonformaw mal-prinċipji ta' trasparenza u non-diskriminazzjoni, kemm bħal bejn partijiet terzi u kemm bħal bejn partijiet terzi u provdituri tas-servizz universali li jipprovdu servizzi ekwivalenti. Huwa wkoll neċessarju għal dawn is-servizzi li jkunu disponibbli għal klijenti privati li jimpustaw f'kondizzjonijiet simili, mogħti l-bżonn għal non-diskriminazzjoni fil-provvista tas-servizzi.

(29) The universal service providers normally provide services, for example to business customers, consolidators of mail for different customers and bulk mailers, enabling them to enter the mail stream at different points and under different conditions by comparison with the standard letters service. In doing this, the universal service providers should comply with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination, both as between different third parties and as between third parties and universal service providers supplying equivalent services. It is also necessary for such services to be available to private customers who post in similar conditions, given the need for non-discrimination in the provision of services.

(30) Sabiex il-Parlament Ewropew u l-Kunsill jibqgħu infurmati dwar l-iżvilupp tas-suq intern għal servizzi postali, il-Kumissjoni għandha regolarment tissottometti rapporti lil dawk l-istituzzjonijiet dwar l-applikazzjoni ta' din id-Direttiva.

(30) In order to keep the European Parliament and the Council informed on the development of the internal market for postal services, the Commission should regularly submit reports to those institutions on the application of this Directive.

(31) Huwa approprjat li d-data għall-iskadenza tad-Direttiva 97/67/KE tiġi postposta sal-31 ta' Diċembru 2008. Proċeduri ta' awtorizzazzjoni stabbiliti fi Stati Membri in konformità mad-Direttiva 97/67/KE m'għandhomx jiġu effettwati b'din id-data.

(31) It is appropriate to postpone until 31 December 2008 the date for the expiry of Directive 97/67/EC. Authorisation procedures established in Member States in compliance with the Directive 97/67/EC should not be affected by this date.

(32) Id-Direttiva 97/67/KE għandha għalhekk tiġi emendata kif dovut.

(32) Directive 97/67/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(33) Din id-Direttiva hi mingħajr preġudizzju għall-applikazzjoni tar-regoli tat-Trattat dwar il-kompetizzjoni u dwar il-libertà li jiġu provduti servizzi, kif spjegat b'mod partikolari fin-Notifika mill-Kumissjoni dwar l-applikazzjoni tar-regoli tal-kompetizjoni għas-settur postali u dwar l-istima ta' ċerti miżuri ta' l-Istat li jirrelataw għal servizzi postali [9],

(33) This Directive is without prejudice to the application of the Treaty rules on competition and on the freedom to provide services, as explained in particular in the Notice from the Commission on the application of the competition rules to the postal sector and on the assessment of certain State measures relating to postal services(9),

ADOTTAW DIN ID-DIRETTIVA:

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Artikolu 1

Id-Direttiva 97/67/KE hija hawnhekk emendata kif ġej:

Article 1

1. L-Artikolu 7 għandu jiġi sostitwit b'dan li ġej:

Directive 97/67/EC is hereby amended as follows:

"Artikolu 7

1. Article 7 shall be replaced by the following: "Article 7

1. Sa fejn neċessarju sabiex jiġi assigurat il-manteniment ta' servizz universali, Stati Membri jistgħu ikomplu jirriżervaw servizzi għall-provditur(i) tas-servizz universali. Dawk is-servizzi għandhom ikunu llimitati għal clearance, organizzazzjoni, trasport u kunsinna ta' oġġetti ta' korrispondenza domestika u korrispondenza għal ġewwa trans fruntiera, kemm b'kunsinn aaċċelerata u kemm jekk le, fil-limiti ta' kemm il-piż u kemm il-prezz li ġejjin. Il-limitu tal-piż għandu jkun 100 gramma mill-1 ta' Jannar 2003 u 50 gramma mill-1 ta' Jannar 2006. Dawn il-limiti tal-piż m'għandhomx japplikaw mill-1 ta' Jannar 2003 jekk il-prezz huwa ugwali għal, jew iktar minn, tliet darbiet it-tariffa pubblika għal oġġett ta' korrispondenza fl-ewwel livell tal-piż tal-kategorija l-iktar mgħaġġla, u, mill-1 ta' Jannar 2006, jekk il-prezz huwa ugwali għal, jew iktar minn, darbtejn u nofs din it-tariffa.

1. To the extent necessary to ensure the maintenance of universal service, Member States may continue to reserve services to universal service provider(s). Those services shall be limited to the clearance, sorting, transport and delivery of items of domestic correspondence and incoming cross-border correspondence, whether by accelerated delivery or not, within both of the following weight and price limits. The weight limit shall be 100 grams from 1 January 2003 and 50 grams from 1 January 2006. These weight limits shall not apply as from 1 January 2003 if the price is equal to, or more than, three times the public tariff for an item of correspondence in the first weight step of the fastest category, and, as from 1 January 2006, if the price is equal to, or more than, two and a half times this tariff.

Fil-każ tas-servizz postali b'xejn għall-persuni neqsin mid-dawl u persuni b'vista parzjali, jistgħu jitħallew eċċezzjonijiet għar-restrizzjonijiet tal-piż u tal-prezz.

In the case of the free postal service for blind and partially sighted persons, exceptions to the weight and price restrictions may be permitted.

Sa fejn neċessarju sabiex tiġi assigurata provvista ta' servizz universali, posta diretta tista' tibqa' tiġi rriżervata fl-istess limiti tal-piż u tal-prezz.

To the extent necessary to ensure the provision of universal service, direct mail may continue to be reserved within the same weight and price limits.

Sa fejn neċessarju sabiex tiġi assigurata provvista ta' serviz uiversali, per eżempju meta ċerti setturi ta' attività postali diġà ġew liberalizzati jew minħabba l-karatteristiċi speċifiċi partikolari għas-servizzi postali fi Stat Membru, posta għal barra transfruntiera tista' tibqa' tiġi rriżervata fl-istess limiti ta' piż u ta' prezz.

To the extent necessary to ensure the provision of universal service, for example when certain sectors of postal activity have already been liberalised or because of the specific characteristics particular to the postal services in a Member State, outgoing cross-border mail may continue to be reserved within the same weight and price limits.

2. L-iskambju ta' dokumenti ma jista' jiġi riżervat.

2. Document exchange may not be reserved.

3. Il-Kummissjoni għandha tiffinalizza studju prospettiv li jistma, għal kull Stat Membru, l-impatt fuq servizz universali tat-tlestija kompleta tas-suq postali intern f'2009. Billi tibbaża fuq il-konklużjonijiet ta' l-istudju, il-Kumissjoni għandha tissottometti sal-31 ta' Diċembru 2006 rapport lill-Parlament Ewropew u lil-Kunsill li miegħu ikun hemm proposta li tikkonferma, jekk approprjat, id-data ta' l-2009 għat-tlestija tas-suq postali intern jew li tiddetermina kull pass ieħor fid-dawl tal-konklużjonijiet ta' l-istudju.";

3. The Commission shall finalise a prospective study which will assess, for each Member State, the impact on universal service of the full accomplishment of the postal internal market in 2009. Based on the study's conclusions, the Commission shall submit by 31 December 2006 a report to the European Parliament and the Council accompanied by a proposal confirming, if appropriate, the date of 2009 for the full accomplishment of the postal internal market or determining any other step in the light of the study's conclusions.";

2. l-inċiżi li ġejjin għandhom jiżdiedu ma' l-Artikolu 12:

2. the following indents shall be added to Article 12: "- whenever universal service providers apply special tariffs, for example for services for businesses, bulk mailers or consolidators of mail from different customers, they shall apply the principles of transparency and non-discrimination with regard both to the tariffs and to the associated conditions. The tariffs shall take account of the avoided costs, as compared to the standard service covering the complete range of features offered for the clearance, transport, sorting and delivery of individual postal items and, together with the associated conditions, shall apply equally both as between different third parties and as between third parties and universal service providers supplying equivalent services. Any such tariffs shall also be available to private customers who post under similar conditions,

"- kull meta provdituri tas-servizz universali japplikaw tariffi speċjali, per eżempju għal servizzi għal negozji, dawk li jibagħtu l-posta bl-ingrossa jew konsolidaturi ta' posta minn klijenti differenti, għandhom japplikaw il-prinċipji ta' trasparenza u non-diskriminazzjoni fir-rigward ta' kemm it-tariffi u kemm il-kondizzjonijiet assoċjati. It-tariffi għandhom jieħdu kont ta' spejjeż evitati, meta pparagunati mas-servizz standard li jkopri l-firxa kompleta ta' fatturi offerti għall-clearance, it-trasport, l-organizzazzjoni u l-kunsinna ta' oġġetti postali individwali u, flimkien mal-kondizzjonijiet assoċjati, għandhom japplikaw ugwalment kemm bħal bejn partijiet terzi u kemm bħal bejn partijiet terzi u provdituri tas-servizz universali li jfornu servizzi ekwivalenti. Dawn it-tariffi għandhom ukoll ikunu disponibbli għal kijenti privati li jimpustaw taħt kondizzjonijiet simili,

- cross-subsidisation of universal services outside the reserved sector out of revenues from services in the reserved sector shall be prohibited except to the extent to which it is shown to be strictly necessary to fulfil specific universal service obligations imposed in the competitive area; except in Member States where there are no reserved services, rules shall be adopted to this effect by the national regulatory authorities who shall inform the Commission of such measures.";

- cross-subsidisation ta' servizzi universali barra s-settur riżervat minn dħul minn servizzi fis-settur riżervat għandu jiġi pprojbit ħlief sa fejn jidher li jkun strettament neċessarju sabiex jiġu sodisfatti obbligi speċifiċi ta' servizz universali imposti fiż-żona kompetittiva; ħlief fi Stati Membri fejn ma hemm ebda servizzi riżervati, regoli għandhom jiġu adottati għal dan l-iskop mill-awtoritajiet regolatorji nazzjonali li għandhom jinfurmaw lill-Kummissjoni b'dawn il-miżuri.";

3. the first and second subparagraphs of Article 19 shall be replaced by the following: "Member States shall ensure that transparent, simple and inexpensive procedures are drawn up for dealing with users' complaints, particularly in cases involving loss, theft, damage or non-compliance with service quality standards (including procedures for determining where responsibility lies in cases where more than one operator is involved).

3. l-ewwel u t-tieni subparagrafi ta' l-Artikolu 19 għandhom jiġu sostitwiti b'dan li ġej:

Member States may provide that this principle is also applied to beneficiaries of services which are:

"Stati Membri għandhom jassiguraw li proċeduri trasparenti, sempliċi u mhux għaljin jitfaslu biex jiġu trattati ilmenti ta' utenti, partikolarment f każijiet li jinvolvu telf, serq, ħsara jew non-konformità ma' standards ta' kwalità ta' servizz (inklużi proċeduri biex jiġideterminat fejn hi r-responsabbiltà f' każijiet fejn iktar minn operatur wieħed hu involut).

- outside the scope of the universal service as defined in Article 3, and

L-Istati Membri jistgħu jipprovdu li dan il-prinċipju huwa wkoll applikat lil benefiċjarji ta' servizzi li huma:

- within the scope of the universal service as defined in Article 3, but which are not provided by the universal service provider.

- barra l-qasam ta' applikazzjoni tas-servizz universali kif definit fl-Artikolu 3, u

Member States shall adopt measures to ensure that the procedures referred to in the first subparagraph enable disputes to be settled fairly and promptly with provision, where warranted, for a system of reimbursement and/or compensation.";

- fil-qasam ta' applikazzjoni tas-servizz universali kif definit fl-Artikolu 3, imma li mhumiex provduti mill-provditur tas-servizz universali.

4. the third subparagraph of Article 22 shall be replaced by the following: "The national regulatory authorities shall have as a particular task ensuring compliance with the obligations arising from this Directive and shall, where appropriate, establish controls and specific procedures to ensure that the reserved services are respected. They may also be charged with ensuring compliance with competition rules in the postal sector."

L-Istati Membri għandhom jadottaw miżuri sabiex jasiguraw li l-proċeduri msemmija fl-ewwel subparagrafu jippermettu li disputazzjonijiet jiġu riżoluti b'mod ġust u malajr b'disposizzjoni, meta garantita, għal sistema ta' rimbors u/jew kumpens.";

5. Article 23 shall be replaced by the following: "Article 23

4. it-tielet subparagrafu ta' l-Artikolu 22 għandhom jiġi sostitwit b'dan li ġej:

Without prejudice to Article 7, every two years, on the first occasion no later than 31 December 2004, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Directive, including the appropriate information about developments in the sector, particularly concerning economic, social, employment and technological aspects, as well as about quality of service. The report shall be accompanied where appropriate by proposals to the European Parliament and the Council.";

"L-awtoritajiet regolatorji nazzjonali għandu jkollhom bħala kompitu partikolari li jassiguraw konformità ma' l-obbligi li jirriżultaw minn din id-Direttiva u għandhom, meta approprjat, jistabbilixxu kontrolli u proċeduri speċifiċi sabiex jassiguraw li s-servizzi riżervati huma rispettati. Jistgħu wkoll jiġu nkarigati b'li jassiguraw konformità mar-regoli ta' kompetizzjoni fis-settur postali."

6. Article 27 shall be replaced by the following: "Article 27

5. L-Artikolu 23 għandu jiġi sostitwit b'dan li ġej:

The provisions of this Directive, with the exception of Article 26, shall expire on 31 December 2008 unless otherwise decided in accordance with Article 7(3). The authorisation procedures described in Article 9 shall not be affected by this date."

"Artikolu 23

Mingħajr preġudizzju għal l-Artikolu 7, kull sentejn, fl-ewwel okkażjoni sa mhux iktar tard mill-31 ta' Diċembru 2004, il-Kummissjoni għandha tissottometti rapport lill-Parlament Ewropew u lill-Kunsill dwar l-applikazzjoni ta' din id-Direttiva, inkluża l-informazzjoni approprjata dwar żviluppi fis-settur, partikolarment li jikkonċernaw aspetti ekonomiċi, soċjali, ta' l-impjieg u teknoloġiċi, kif ukoll dwar il-kwalità tas-servizz. Ir-rapport għandu jkollu miegħu meta approprjat proposti lill-Parlament Ewropew u lill-Kunsill.";

Article 2

6. L-Artikolu 27 għandu jiġi sostitwit b'dan li ġej:

1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive no later than 31 December 2002. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

"Artikolu 27

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.

Id-disposizzjonijiet ta' din id-Direttiva, ħlief għall l-Artikolu 26, għandhom jiskadu fil-31 ta' Diċembru 2008 sakemm ma jiġix deċiż xort' oħra skond l-Artikolu 7(3) Il-proċeduri ta' awtorizzazzjoni deskritti fl-Artikolu 9 m' għandhomx jiġu effettwati b'din id-data."

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Artikolu 2

1. L-Istati Membri għandhom idaħħlu fis-seħħ il-liġijiet, ir-regolamenti u d-disposizzjonijiet aministrattivi neċessarji sabiex jikkonformaw ma' din id-Direttiva sa mhux iktar tard mill-31 ta' Diċembru 2002. Għandhom minnufih jinfurmaw lill-Kummissjoni bihom.

Article 3

Meta l-Istati Membri jadottaw dawn il-miżuri, għandu jkollhom referenza għal din id-Direttiva jew għandu jkollhom magħhom din ir-referenza fl-okkazzjoni tal-pubblikazzjoni uffiċjali tagħhom. L-Istati Membri għandhom jistabbilixxu kif għandha ssir din ir-referenza.

This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

2. L-Istati Membri għandhom jikkomunikaw lill-Kummissjoni t-test tad-disposizzjonijiet ewlenija tal-liġi nazzjonali li huma jadottaw fil-qasam kopert b'din id-Direttiva.

Artikolu 3

Article 4

Dan id-Direttiva għandha tidħol fis-seħħ fil-jum tal-pubblikazzjoni tagħha fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali tal-Komunitajiet Ewropej.

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Artikolu 4

Din id-Direttiva hija ndirizzata lill-Istati Membri.

Done at Luxembourg, 10 June 2002.

Magħmula fil-Lussemburgu, fl-10 ta' Ġunju 2002.

For the European Parliament

Għall-Parlament Ewropew

The President

Il-President

P. Cox

P. Cox

Għall-Kunsill

For the Council

Il-President

The President

J. Piqué I Camps

J. Piqué I Camps

[1] ĠU C 337 E, tat-28.11.2000, p. 220 uĠU C 180 E, tas-26.6.2001, p. 291.

[2] ĠU C 116, ta' l-20.4.2001, p. 99.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000, p. 220 and

[3] ĠU C 144, 16.05.01, p. 20.

OJ C 180 E, 26.6.2001, p. 291.

[4] L-Opinjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew ta' l-14 ta' Diċembru 2000 (ĠU C 232, tas-17.8.2001, p. 287), il-Posizzjoni Komuni tal-Kunsill tas-6 ta' Diċembru 2001 (ĠU C 110 E, tas-7.5.2002, p. 37) u d-Deċiżjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew tat-13 ta' Marzu 2002 (għadha mhux ippubblikata fil-Ġurnal Uffiċjali). Id-Deċiżjoni tal-Kunsill tas-7 ta' Mejju 2002.

(2) OJ C 116, 20.4.2001, p. 99.

[5] ĠU C 48, tas-16.2.1994, p. 3.

(3) OJ C 144, 16.5.2001, p. 20.

[6] ĠU L 15, 21.01.98, p. 14.

(4) Opinion of the European Parliament of 14 December 2000 (OJ C 232, 17.8.2001, p. 287), Council Common Position of 6 December 2001 (OJ C 110 E, 7.5.2002, p. 37) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 March 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Council Decision of 7 May 2002.

[7] ĠU C 104, ta' l-14.4.1999, p. 134.

(5) OJ C 48, 16.2.1994, p. 3.

[8] ĠU C 339, tad-29.11.2000, p. 297

(6) OJ L 15, 21.1.1998, p. 14.

[9] ĠU C 39, tas-6.2.1998, p. 2.

(7) OJ C 104, 14.4.1999, p. 134.

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(8) OJ C 339, 29.11.2000, p. 297.

(9) OJ C 39, 6.2.1998, p. 2.