PRD on Transparency and regulatory oversight regarding cross border parcels delivery

The proper functioning of the e-commerce sector is instrumental for the European economic growth, in particular considering its potential to decrease retail prices, widen consumer choices, reduce transaction costs and, hence, contribute towards the deepening of the internal market. However, empirical evidence suggests that a number of relevant barriers related to public policy aspects as well as to commercial conduct of companies may be hindering the adequate functioning of this sector.

Concerning public policy aspects, the European Commission’s (EC) Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy has proposed several actions to overcome related barriers. With regard to barriers related to the commercial conduct of companies, the EC launched an anti-trust inquiry on e-commerce on May 2015, with a preliminary report for consultation expected by mid-2016 and a final report expected in the first quarter of 2017.

In this context, BEREC and ERGP have agreed to work closer to provide inputs to the discussion regarding cross-border parcel delivery in the context of DSM, namely creating a joint working group, to advise the EC.