1.1 In order to exchange the data needed to execute electronic postal payment services, as well as to ensure due reporting and quality of service monitoring by the Union, designated operators shall have their systems and associated networks connected to the Union’s centralized exchange system, thus ensuring the interoperability of electronic postal payment services in accordance with this Agreement.
1.2 Without prejudice to § 1.1 above, the Union may also develop, and provide designated operators and eligible WPSPs (as referred to in article 5) with, a centralized platform (and associated centralized database) aimed at enabling interconnection between postal payment services and other financial or payment services not covered by this Agreement, on the basis of open and interoperable standards and subject to any relevant operational and technical parameters (including without limitation the requirements set forth in article 8) as further defined by the Union.
1.2.1 Use of the aforementioned centralized platform for the exceptional purpose of interconnection with other financial or payment services not covered by this Agreement (including any in-payment or out-payment modalities associated thereto) shall be under the sole responsibility of the designated operators and eligible wider postal sector players concerned. In this regard, the Union shall not assume any liability for the operation of services not covered by this Agreement, whose scope shall remain beyond the postal payment services perimeter of interconnection referred to herein.