SingPost to pay a whopping $50,000 fine if they fail to deliver on time

So is it time to say goodbye to snail mail?

According to a release, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has revised the Quality of Service (QoS) framework for postal services. This revised framework will be applicable to Singapore Post Limited’s (SingPost) basic letter delivery service and will be effective from 1 July 2012.

One key change under the revised framework is the increase in financial penalty for breach of the QoS standards. A financial penalty of up to $50,000 per month per indicator, which indicates delivery requirements within a specified time frame, may be imposed for non-compliance with QoS, compared with the current penalty of $1,000 to $5,000 per month per indicator.

Another key change is the requirement for SingPost to appoint an independent assessor to conduct a sampling letter test. SingPost’s compliance with IDA’s QoS framework is currently measured via a sampling letter test that is carried out by SingPost. SingPost will be required under the revised framework to also appoint an Independent Assessor to conduct the sampling letter test at SingPost’s cost. This will serve as an additional method of measuring SingPost’s compliance with the QoS framework on a monthly basis.

Mr Leong Keng Thai, IDA Deputy Chief Executive and Director-General (Telecoms & Post) said, “IDA reviews its QoS framework regularly to ensure the continued relevance of the postal QoS standards in today’s environment. While the standards remain relevant, the changes underscore the importance of postal services, and ensure that SingPost will continue to improve its service standards to meet the public’s postal needs.”

The QoS framework for postal services was last reviewed in 2006. While its standards are already among the most stringent in the world, IDA initiated the review of the QoS framework in 2011 in view of the increase in consumer feedback regarding basic letter services, and to ensure that the standards remain relevant in the current environment.