It has been formed to:
a. Encourage industry compliance with the standards set out in the Press Distribution Charter (PDC).
b. Provide comment to the Press Distribution Forum (PDF) on compliance issues.
c. Ensure continuity of decisions resulting from the Charter’s complaints resolution process.
d. Provide an ongoing mechanism for the identification of supply chain trends.
e. Collect, audit and publish data on compliance with the Charter.
The PDRP is an independent body made up of newspaper, magazine, wholesale and retail representatives as follows:
Darren Barker (pictured), Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA)
Richard Church, R & J Newsagents, Kent
Jonathan Denton, Smiths News
Raj Ganatra, Sweet News, Luton
Carrie Rooks, Professional Publishers Association (PPA)
David Shedden, Menzies Distribution
Mark Williams, Williams Brothers, Guildford
The Press Distribution Charter sets out the standards that retailers of newspapers and magazines, whatever their size or location, should expect to receive from wholesalers and publishers. It will improve service and help retailers provide a better service to their customers.
The Charter helps retailers to resolve most problems quickly and effectively; however, in the event that problems are more serious or persistent, the Charter is supported by a complaints resolution process that includes independent arbitration.
The complaints resolution process and compliance to the Charter will be overseen by the new independent review panel, the PDRP. Through this review process, supply chain performance will be monitored and the results published in a transparent fashion.
PDRP Chairman, Neil Robinson, said “Through a self-regulatory system which has the support and commitment of the newspaper and magazine industry it will be possible to maintain the high standards established in the Press Distribution Charter. The Press Distribution Review Panel is the independent watchdog at the heart of self regulation and, as such, will have a mission to ensure compliance and identify trends that may be harmful to the efficiency of distribution chain and thus sales. In order to ensure that procedures are open and transparent, Independent Arbitration decisions will be published on the PDF web site and there will be a quarterly report of data resultant from the process.”
Background Information
PRESS DISTRIBUTION FORUM (PDF) The purpose of the Press Distribution Forum (PDF) is to provide a self regulated forum for associations and companies involved in the supply and distribution of newspapers and magazines and to ensure the continuation of a diverse and plural press with its widespread availability to retailers and consumers.
PRESS DISTRIBUTION CHARTER (PDC) The Charter sets out the minimum standards that a retailer can expect from publishers and wholesalers and, as such, intends to ensure that the supply chain gets the right product to the right place at the right time. In the event of serious or persistent problems with supply, the Charter is supported by a complaints resolution process which can be escalated up to a qualified Independent Arbitrator.
