PAF® News

The latest announcements

• Raw data despatch update .... (amended 24 June 2009)
• PAF Code of Practice Consultation (updated June 09)
• PAF download dates for 2009 (updated 24 June 09)
• PAF raw data news & statistics (updated 24 June 09)
• Consultation news (updated May 09)
• Postcodes - 50 Years On (Updated May 09)
• New N1C postcode introduced (Updated 1 July 09)
• Links (updated 20 May 2009)
• Local Election Postcodes (Updated April 09)
• Opening a WINZIP file

1. Raw data despatch update .... (amended 24 June 2009)

   The despatch on our monthly raw data products usually goes smoothly, but if there are any hitches we will update you via posts in the document library below.  The document is called 'AMU raw data despatch update'. 

    

   You can always contact us about raw data delivery on 0845 606 6854 (option 4).

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2. PAF Code of Practice Consultation (updated June 09)
   At the end of May, Postcomm launched a two month consultation on changes to the PAF® Code of Practice, for detailed information on the consultation please see the document below. The document is called `PAF Code of Practice Consultation'. The consultation ends on the 28th July 2009.
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3. PAF download dates for 2009 (updated 24 June 09)

   Address data is downloaded from the Royal Mail mainframe onto our products once a  month.  The dates for 2009 are: 

    

   • Friday 17 July
   • Friday 21 August
   • Friday 18 September
   • Friday 16 October
   • Friday 20 November
   • Friday 11 December (1 week early due to Christmas)
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4. PAF raw data news & statistics (updated 24 June 09)

   In the Document Library at the bottom of this page you'll find the latest PAF Statistics, plus information on the types of PAF changes.  The attachments are:

    

   • PAF Activity Reports - show the number of Delivery Points updated on PAF per month, broken down to Postcode District level. 
     There are two reports per month: 'Single Changes' & 'Multiple Changes'.  You can compare delivery point growth year on year using the last thirteen months' reports. 
     The titles of the files are written like this (where Y08 = 'Y' is 'year', '08' is '2008',  M06 = 'M' is 'month', followed by the actual month, in the case below '06' is June)
   • PAFSingleChanges_Y08M06.TXT
   • PAFMultipleChanges_Y08M06.TXT
   • PAF Delivery Point Change Statistics  - shows the number of last month's changes by type: additions, deletions, amendments etc
   • PAF New Sectors & Localities  - shows any new sectors or localities added to PAF in the last month.
   • PAF Statistics - updated monthly to show total numbers of residential addresses, business addresses, towns and postcodes on PAF
   • Non-Geographic PO Box Sectors - a list updated occasionally when new sectors are added
   • Number of business and vacant organisations on PAF - these figures are a month in arrears of the other statistics above.  

    

   You can receive an email to let you know when the new statistical information is available on this webpage.  If you'd like to be added to this notification list, please email address.management@royalmail.com and put "PAF raw data mailing list" in the subject line.

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5. Consultation news (updated May 09)

   Our programme of consultations on amendments to our PAF Licences is an ongoing one.  For more information, visit www.royalmail.com/consultations.

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6. Postcodes - 50 Years On (Updated May 09)
   Royal Mail is promoting the 50th anniversary of the birth of postcodes in the UK. In the document below is a zip file containing the news release, additional documentation and an image of the original campaign mascot, Wilfred the Bulldog. 
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7. New N1C postcode introduced (Updated 1 July 09)

   A major redevelopment of a run-down area of London is to be assigned with a new postcode. The N1C outward code, which includes two sectors, will cover the planned 67 acre development, scheduled for completion in 2011. N1C is available now on June PAF products.
   
   Postmen and women from Royal Mail Islington will carry out both deliveries & collections in the new sectors which will also include 50 businesses currently in the NW1 postcode area. Sorting machines can already handle this new postcode but we are giving the existing companies a year’s notice before it is formally adopted. 

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8. Links (updated 20 May 2009)

   Here are some links to other address management pages related pages that you may find useful.

   • The independent body looking after the interests of all PAF users is the PAF Advisory Board (PAB).  For further information on the remit of the PAB visit www.pafboard.org.uk.  The Board's Chair is Ian Beesley, at ian.beesley@wotaco.com 
   • If you're interested in how we update our Postcode Address File database, visit: www.royalmail.com/quality 
   • For information on other companies providing address management solutions containing PAF: www.royalmail.com/supplierdirectory 
   • To find out more about Royal Mail's products containing PAF and other location data: www.royalmail.com/addressproducts
   • Here's a page on addressing your mail: www.royalmail.com/clearaddressing 
   • Read how your company may be affected by the Data Protection Act .
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9. Local Election Postcodes (Updated April 09)
   The `Local Authority Election Postcodes File' in the Document Library below contains details of the Postcodes that have been issued for the specific purpose of returning Postal Votes related to specific wards.
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10. Opening a WINZIP file
    •  To open the Zip file you need to have WinZip software on your PC.
    • WinZip software can be downloaded from www.winzip.com.
    • Alternatively you may email address.management@royalmail.com and ask us to send you an unzipped version
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