If there is no agreement, then the existing directive including its universal services measures would lapse at the end of 2008 under the so-called sunset clause, leaving no postal services legislation at all.
Pasta pakalpojumu liberalizācija Eiropā sākās 1997. gadā, vispirms konkurencei pakļaujot sūtījumus, kuru svars pārsniedz 350 g, un kopš 2002. gada — sūtījumus svarā no 100 g līdz 350 g.