On 19 December 2024, when we announced the launch of a new D+3 service into the Access Letters Contract (ALC), we also communicated that we need to make some changes to the D+2 service specification in anticipation that the new D+3 service becomes the standard service in the ALC. The new service and the changes to the D+2 service specification are due to take effect following the date the Access Condition is amended as part of Ofcom’s “Future of the universal postal service” decision.

Following customer engagement in 2024 we confirmed that migration from the current Standard (D+2) service to the new Standard (D+3) service would require no operational change for customers, with the existing D+2 product codes flowing through to the new D+3 service.

There are changes to the new D+2 service specification, to enable us to distinguish between D+2 and D+3 items and process them accordingly in the network:

• New product codes: We will be introducing new D+2 Priority service product codes. As a reminder, on 6 March 2025, we informed customers that, in consideration of their feedback, only the following D+2 service variants and Product Codes will be available after the Access Condition changes:
  Business Mail Mailmark Letters in trays (DLM & ZPC)
  Business Mail Mailmark Large Letters in trays (DLW & ZPM)
  Magazine Subscription Mailmark Large Letters in bags/trays (DNL, DNM, ZPW & ZPX).
• New visual class identifier on D+2 Priority mailing items and container labels: Customers will need to apply a ‘1’ indicia on the front of their D+2 mailing items and tray, bag & York card labels.
• New class identifier within the Mailmark barcode and eManifest: Customers will be required to apply the class identifier ‘8’ within the 2D and 4-state barcode formats, and in the class section of the eManifest.
• Segregation in Yorks: D+2 Mailmark Large Letters must be presented in separate Yorks to D+3. D+2 Mailmark Letters however may be included in Yorks which also comprise D+3 Mailmark mailing items and/or Economy Mailmark mailing items. This is because Large Letters cannot be deferred by the automation, and such work needs to be deployed manually, enabled by the indicia.

From a contractual standpoint, as notified under contract change notice 114, the above changes to the D+2 specification will take effect into the ALC on either:

1. where the Access Condition changes on a Monday, that Monday, provided that the Ofcom decision is not published on the same day; or
2. if the Ofcom decision is published on the same day as it implements changes to the Access Condition, the first Monday after the Access Condition change; or
3. where the Access Condition changes on a day other than a Monday, the first Monday after the Access Condition change.

Whilst customers have confirmed the belief that the majority of volume would remain on the standard service (D+3 after USO reform), over the last few weeks, some have asked how Royal Mail will help manage the migration for customers who continue to post D+2 volume, given we do not know when Ofcom’s consultation decision will be published.

In recognition of the scope and uncertain timing of USO transformation, we have sought to simplify the transition for customers. We made the switch from Access Standard D+2 to D+3 a ‘no change’ one for customers and, by making the announcement in December 2024 of the introduction of new D+2 product codes, we have given as much notice as possible to enable customers to prepare, significantly more than the contractual requirement.

In addition, we have now also decided to make the new D+2 product codes live in DocketHUB from 2 June 2025, which we believe will be at least four weeks before the Access Condition changes. Customers who post D+2 volume on the new product codes between this date and the date contract change notice 114 becomes effective will be charged the prevailing D+2 postage rate (i.e. the rates which take effect from 31 March 2025) with the VAT status mirroring current equivalent products. Upon contract change notice 114 taking effect, the new prices notified by virtue of contract change notice 115 will apply to the new D+2 product codes.

From 2nd June 2025, customers who elect to use the new D+2 product codes will need to adhere to the new D+2 specification published in December 2024 under change notice 114. However, in respect of the new ‘1’ visual class identifier, which customers will be required to put on the D+2 Priority mailing item, to support customers during the transition we will not enforce the use of this from 2nd June. Whilst we strongly recommend the use of the new 1c visual class identifier on D+2 mailing items from the day on which the Access Condition changes, to make it easier for posting brands to make the transition, we will also allow customers to continue to use the existing standard indicia for a period up to four weeks after the Access condition changes.

We thank you once again for your ongoing contributions regarding the future of the Universal Service, which will help shape the future of Royal Mail and how we can best serve our Access customers and posting brands in the future.