EEA EFTA States welcome modernised framework for postal and parcel services across entire EEA

The European postal and parcel market has undergone drastic changes over the last 20 years. Today, digitalisation through e-substitution, innovative last-mile delivery solutions and new digital platforms are challenging traditional postal value chains and services. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in parcel delivery services through e-commerce.

The EEA EFTA States emphasise that the future regulatory framework must take these developments into account. In their joint position paper, they underline the importance of this revision progressing quickly, and set out four objectives that the new EU Delivery Act should aim to achieve.

First, it should safeguard the Universal Service Obligation in a flexible manner, allowing Member States to adapt service requirements to national needs.

Second, the upcoming legal proposal should clearly define the scope of the regulation to ensure a common understanding of which activities are covered and which are excluded. This will future-proof the modernised framework and accommodate different business models.

Third, the EU Delivery Act must address the current divergences in how e-commerce is regulated across Member States, as these divergences jeopardise a level playing field in the Internal Market of 30 States.

Finally, it is essential that the new proposal recognises the interlinkages with other areas of legislation, such as transport, customs, data protection and security, and that it supports a uniform and effective framework for postal and parcel services across the European Economic Area.

EEA EFTA Comments are one of the tools the EEA EFTA States use to actively participate in shaping EU policies, programmes and legislation.