Michael Kunter, spokesperson for mail alliance’s management explains the background of the accession: "In order to keep pace with changing consumer and order behaviour and increased competitive pressure in e-commerce, postal services are looking for new delivery solutions that meet and are compatible with the global IT systems and standards of the postal world. As mail alliance, we have laid the foundations for this and are very pleased, that our application for membership in the Consultative Committee of the Universal Postal Union has been accepted!" Mario Eichelmann, Managing Director of mail alliance, adds: “Via the universal postal network, international consignments can now also be handed over to mail alliance for delivery in Ger-many".

To become a member of the Universal Postal Union, several conditions need to be met. Ac-cording to its statutes, the Universal Postal Union’s task is the "promotion of the sustainable development of high-quality, efficient and universally accessible postal services worldwide with the aim of facilitating communication between the people of this world."

Since its foundation in 1874, the Universal Postal Union, headquartered in Bern, has regulated not only the international cooperation of postal companies from 192 countries, but also the framework conditions for cross-border postal traffic. International Cooperation is promoted and can go as far as providing mutual technical assistance in the field of postal services.

mail alliance acts as the network of private letter service providers and specialises in the na-tionwide last-mile delivery of mailbox-compatible e-commerce consignments such as books, mobile phones and IT-accessories, fashion jewellery or fashion items.

About the Universal Postal Union (UPU)

Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is the second oldest international organization worldwide.

With its 192 member countries the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

In this way, the organization fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides tech-nical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel and financial services volumes and im-prove quality of service for customers.

Postal stakeholders that are not public postal operators or regulators can add their voice to the UPU’s deliberations through the Consultative Committee (CC). The Committee represents the interests of the wider postal sector and provides a framework for effective dialogue.