State aid: Commission clears financing of Post Danmark's universal service obligation

11 Aug 2022 12:04 PM

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Denmark's compensation to Post Danmark for its universal postal service obligation in 2020.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, yesterday said:

“In today's digital world, ordinary mail continues to be replaced by digital communications. This puts a strain on the activities of postal operators, which continue to offer a service that is important for citizens. Today's decision confirms that the compensation in favour of Post Danmark for the provision of universal postal services is in line with EU State aid rules. Post Danmark will be able to continue to provide this fundamental service across Denmark at uniform prices for consumers and companies, without unduly distorting competition.”

In March 2021, Denmark notified the Commission of its plan to compensate Post Danmark for a maximum amount of approximately €30 million (DKK 225 million) for discharging its universal postal service obligation in 2020. The notification followed a complaint filed with the Commission by a Danish association, representing companies active in the road transport and logistics sectors, alleging that the compensation to Post Danmark constitutes incompatible State aid.

In July 2021, the Commission opened an in-depth investigation because it had doubts about the compliance of the measure with EU State aid rules. In particular, the Commission had concerns regarding Post Danmark's allocation of costs between its universal and non-universal postal services, and consequently regarding the calculation of the net cost of the universal service obligation (‘USO') by Denmark based on this cost allocation.

The Commission's assessment

The Commission has assessed the Danish measure under EU State aid rules, and in particular under Article 106(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as well as the rules on public service compensation, under the Service of General Economic Interest (‘SGEI') Framework and the Postal Services Directive.

The Commission concluded that, while the USO compensation constitutes State aid, it complies with the provisions of the SGEI Framework. In particular:

On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish measure under EU State aid rules.

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