The workshop provided an opportunity to:

• find out more about the studies
• share experiences of how the postal market is being fundamentally reshaped through digitalisation and e-commerce 

Attendees were also able to exchange views on the most important developments in the letter and parcel markets, the evolving needs of users, the sustainability of the universal service obligation, and the social and environmental impact of the changes in the sector.

Morning session

Copenhagen Economics presented their interim findings for a study on the main developments in the postal sector between 2013 and 2016.

This study focuses on changes in the postal market, especially:

• the impact of digitalisation in the letter sector
• developments in the universal service
• the impact on employment

Afternoon session

WIK-Consult presented the objectives, the methodology and the timetable of the study they are conducting on parcel delivery services with the support of the European Parliament.

The study will examine:

• market developments – in particular the impact of new technologies
• regulatory, social and environmental issues
• user needs – by carrying out comprehensive surveys of what e-retailers and their customers want from cross-border parcel delivery services

There was also an update on the next steps for the regulation on cross-border parcel delivery services. This follows the political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council in December last year.

Presentations from the workshop on developments in the postal sector