Singapore launches last-mile parcel delivery standards

The new standards aim to improve the areas of packaging and labelling, amongst others.

Singapore introduced new industry standards for last-mile delivery of parcels that aim to improve the e-commerce experience of customers and raise operational efficiency across the value chain.

In a statement, the Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) and the Singapore Standards Council (SSC) said Technical Reference (TR) 105 laid out guidelines on various areas such as packaging, labelling, data collection and transmission, communication content and operation practices.

Specifically, TR 105 aim to improve the productivity of last-mile deliveries by having standard packaging and labelling guidelines to reduce delivery failure rates and optimise storage and delivery schedules.

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The guidelines also enable data exchange and harmonisation across marketplaces, sellers and last-mile service providers to protect data and reduce delivery failure frequency.

It will also allow end consumers to track the status of their parcel better and communicate with deliveries at critical touchpoints by aligning datasets between marketplace and service providers’ platforms, and information relayed to end-consumers.

Guidelines were also provided for delivery logistics, instructions, and authorisation across key modes of delivery which will improve operational processes and more efficient and punctual contactless deliveries.

The crafting of the new standard, launched by SingPost and SSC overseen by Enterprise Singapore involved various industry stakeholders including Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings, Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management, Republic Polytechnic, GOGOX (Singapore, and Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore.

Also part of the working group led by SingPost was Lazada, Park N Parcel, Qxpress, Shopee, the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies, Singapore Logistics Association, and the Singapore Retailers Association.