27.06.2013
The European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP) met in the 1st plenary session of 2013 in Rome today, under the chairmanship of Catalin MARINESCU, Director of the Romanian regulatory authority (ANCOM).
Members of ERGP took mid-year stock of the work of the various sub-groups in view of the ambitious deliverables identified in the ERGP Work Programme 2013.
Being in a third year of its functioning ERGP benefited from the participation of all national regulators in its work, which is also reflected in three documents that were adopted by the plenary, notably ERGP Common position on cost allocation rules, ERGP Report on net cost of USO – VAT exemption as a benefit or a burden and ERGP Report on data on market indicators, which will be published on the ERGP website.
Members of the ERGP took special note and discussed the collected data, which confirms a general decline of the letter mail market, while showing that some submarkets such as parcels and registered mail are nevertheless growing. Furthermore, the express segment is also expanding.
In spite of the declining tendency in letter mail market and increased e-substitution, the number of postal outlets appears steady, while the number of persons employed is slightly decreasing.
Furthermore, ERGP approved for a public consultation draft ERGP Report on specific cost allocation issues, which will run from 15 July until 30 August 2013.
In a Workshop preceding the plenary meeting ERGP members also exchanged their views on the possible work streams in the years to come in view of the changes that postal markets are facing and what these may mean for the existing regulatory environment.
The next ERGP Plenary meeting will be held on 21st November 2013 in Luxembourg.
About ERGP
ERGP is composed of the 27 national regulatory authorities (NRAs) of the EU, as well as national regulatory authorities from countries of the European Economic Area and countries with candidate status to join the European Union.
ERGP’s tasks are to advise and assist the Commission in consolidating the internal market for postal services or any other matter related to postal services within its competence. Furthermore, ERGP is advising and assisting the Commission as to the development of the internal market for postal services and as to the consistent application in all Member States of the regulatory framework for postal services.