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Study on the future of the Postal Sector: The Commission has published and communicated to the Council the ‘Prospective Study on the future of the Postal Sector'. The study analyses the potential mid-to-long-term developments of the EU postal sector and develops a framework for estimating the future trends while exploring their potential effects on postal stakeholders. The study identifies the possible challenges that future developments are likely to raise for the sector, proposes a comprehensive inventory of solutions and a framework for their assessment.
Postal Statistics: The EU postal statistics website has been updated to include the 2022 postal data. Letter volumes continued to decrease in 2022 and the parcel volumes also declined compared to 2021, after several years of sharp increase. The combined volume of inbound and domestic letters decreased by 5.4%, while the volume of inbound and domestic parcels declined by 2.2%. The postal statistics include a detailed overview of key metrics such as domestic and cross-border letter and parcel volumes; postal employment; quality of the postal service; postal access points; tariffs of letters and parcels; and turnover. These findings are compiled with the help of the postal regulators in the Member States to provide insights into the performance and trends of the EU postal sector.
Future scenarios workshop: As part of the prospective study, an online workshop was held on 13 February 2024 to discuss the draft scenarios, issues facing the sector and market failures that could arise under these future scenarios. Potential policy options to mitigate any identified issues and market failures were also discussed.
Megatrends workshop and survey: In preparation of the prospective study of the postal sector, the Commission organised a workshop to get postal stakeholders’ opinions on the most relevant megatrends for the EU postal sector. Based on the conclusions of the workshop, the Commission used an online survey to develop the conclusions and give more stakeholders the opportunity to contribute and express their opinions.
Stakeholder workshop: Over 150 members of the postal community attended a stakeholder workshop, held on 20 April 2023 and organised by the European Commission, to discuss the objectives and the proposed approach of the prospective study of the European postal sector that the Commission is currently preparing.
Postal Main Developments study: The Commission has published the 'Main Developments in the Postal Sector (2017-2021)', the latest in a series of studies that assess the most important evolutions in the postal market and the regulatory framework of the EU member countries and EFTA countries. The study finds that the substitution of letter mail for electronic alternatives is continuing to drive letter mail volumes down, pushing prices increases and cost reductions across many European universal service providers. In parallel, the increase in e-commerce, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has boosted competition in the courier, express and parcel market.
- Main developments in the postal sector (2017-2021) Volume 1: Main report
- Main developments in the postal sector (2017-2021) Volume 2: Country Fiches
Environmental impact of e-commerce study: The Commission has published the full report and executive summary of a study to assess and analyse the impact of e-commerce driven transport and parcel delivery on air pollution and CO2 emissions.
This environmental study models and assesses greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollution emissions caused by transport activities carried out for online, hybrid and traditional retail purchases. It models and assesses several case studies that cover a wide variety of shopping and delivery possibilities: online or brick-and-mortar, intercontinental or intra-EU, urban or rural delivery, different product categories, different modes of transport for different transport legs.
Each case study examines whether a specific logistic or consumer trend has potential to reduce GHG emissions. The study lists possibilities and concludes that we need a comprehensive effort to bring all involved stakeholders together and combine measures suited to different local circumstances.
- Full report on the impact of e-commerce driven transport and parcel delivery on air pollution and CO2 emissions
- Executive summary
On 30 September 2022, the European Commission and the European Regulators Group for Postal Services met the members of the postal community gathered in Brussels for the third ERGP stakeholders forum. More details and the presentations, under 'Meetings'.
On 29 September 2022 the European Commission held a stakeholder workshop to present and discuss with members of the postal community the preliminary results of the 'Main Developments in the Postal Sector 2017-2021' study. More details and the presentation.
On 8 November 2021, the European Commission adopted the report on the application of the Postal Services Directive and the report on the application and implementation of the Regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services:
- Report on the application of the Postal Services Directive
- Staff working document on the evaluation of the Postal Services Directive
- Staff working document on the evaluation of the Postal Services Directive – Executive Summary
- Report on the application and implementation of the Regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services
EU policy on postal services
Postal services play a key role for EU citizens and businesses in the single market. The postal sector (which includes express services) employs about 1.8 million people providing an important source of employment in the EU. The aim of the postal services directive is to ensure that affordable, high quality and efficient postal services are available throughout the EU.
EU postal legislation, implementation and enforcement
The postal services directive sets out the objectives for postal services and establishes a regulatory framework for European postal services. The EU Postal Directive Committee, established by the directive, serves as a scrutiny body for the application of postal legislation and for the improvement of quality of service, notably the establishment of quality standards for intra-EU cross-border services.
EU postal legislation, implementation and enforcement
Parcel delivery in the EU
Digitalisation and the development of e-commerce have caused a shift in users' needs and a large increase in the number of parcels being sent. Growth in the parcel and express delivery market was estimated at 13% per year between 2013-2016. To allow consumers and companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to buy and sell products online more easily and confidently across the EU, the regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services was adopted in April 2018. The regulation aims to increase price transparency and regulatory oversight of cross-border parcel delivery services in the EU so that individual consumers and small e-retailers can benefit from more affordable deliveries. One measure foreseen by the regulation is the tool to find public tariffs on cross-border parcel delivery services.
The European Regulators Group for Postal Services
The European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP) reviews postal services in the EU and provides advice to the European Commission. It also aims to facilitate consultation, coordination and cooperation between EU countries and the Commission.
The European Regulators Group for Postal Services
Postal statistics
Since 2014, the Commission has been collecting annual data on postal services in cooperation with national postal regulatory authorities in the context of the 'EU Postal Survey'. The postal statistics offer an analytical working tool for users of postal data in a single source.
Standardisation in the postal sector
Since 1993, the Commission has promoted and supported the creation of technical standards in the postal sector. The postal services directive recognises the role standardisation plays in benefitting postal customers and operators, for example, by providing a standardised measurement of quality of service.
Standardisation in the postal sector
International activities
The European Commission represents the EU as an official observer to the United Nation’s specialised agency for the postal sector, the Universal Postal Union (UPU). The Commission has advisory status in the European Committee for Postal Regulation (CERP). Postal services also form part of EU accession negotiations and free trade agreements in terms of regulatory provisions and commitments.
International activities on postal services
Studies on the postal sector
We commission a number of studies on the postal sector in the EU.
Brexit transition period
Stakeholder guidance on EU rules in relation to online purchase with subsequent parcel delivery
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