EC ACCUSES DEUTSCHE POST OF ABUSING ITS DOMINANT POSITION IN MAIL

EC ACCUSES DEUTSCHE POST OF ABUSING ITS DOMINANT POSITION IN MAIL    The European Commission has sent a statement of objections to Deutsche Post that accuses the German postal service and logistics giant of abusing its dominant position in Germany by restricting competition in cross-border mail services.
   “The European Commission has concluded an extensive investigation, prompted by a number of complaints, into the way incoming cross-border mail is handled by Deutsche Post,” a spokesman for the EC said.
   The EC “considers that Deutsche Post’s frequent and systematic interception, surcharging and delay of normal incoming cross-border mail infringes the competition rules of the European Union,” it said.
   The first complaint about this practice was filed by the British Post Office in February 1998 and has been followed by five additional complaints including the same allegations.
   A statement of objections is a legal act by the EC which opens formal proceedings under EU procedural rules. Deutsche Post will have access to the case files and the possibility to respond to the charges made by the EC.