One key stakeholder the MCA engages with is the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA), through its International Mail Distribution Accreditation Scheme, IMDAS. The MCA Quality Committee met IMDAS representatives earlier this month. The objective of the meeting was for the committee to ensure IMDAS would evolve to reflect the needs of the international marketplace.
The lively discussion and exchange of views covered many aspects most notably was the debate around Extra Territorial Office of Exchanges (ETOEs). ETOEs whilst seemingly natural adjuncts to traditional international mail logistics are seen by many as a distortion of the market. They are treated differently due to UPU regulations, which can lead to inconsistent and discriminatory treatment of ETOE origin mail, by some postal administrations. At present IMDAS does not take into account consolidators who are routing traffic through ETOEs however the IMDAS committee did agree to examine the UPU regulations of ETOEs and how ETOEs could be reflected in IMDAS member audits.
Multiple return addresses on international mail and Postage Paid Impressions that do not correspond is an additional area for IMDAS to provide guidance and best practice advice.
About the MCA
The MCA says: “The MCA is a trade organisation for companies providing international mail consolidation and distribution services ex UK. The MCA is a membership organisation, and it acts as a forum for approved mail consolidators and international mail distributors to share information, develop joint initiatives, and promote best practice, to the mutual benefit of members and their customers.”
