there's a 15 page thread in Rumors and News about this. The requirement is put out by ICAO and EVERY country has to abide by it.
Just because you have an English or American citizenship does not mean you can speak fluent English, right?
So, most countries, like Germany, too, are passing out either new licences or official letters (which Germany is doing) for level 4 to all who already have an English radio licence, without the testing. The testing then must take place latest in 3 years, so the letter is good for that time period and must accompany the licence. Without the letter,and you fly to say France, the French do not necessarily have to recognise your licence priviledges!
Not receiving a notice automatically, or in your case a new licence, could mean you have changed your mailing address and didn't inform the authorities or you have a radio licence that the CAA doesn't know about. I would give them a call.
It seems the ICAO put this notice out long ago, I believe around 2002, yet most countries ignored it until the date "suddenly" came close.
So, don't get all fluffed about it, all pilots and controllers around the world are in the same boat!