Stakeholder hearing concerning the state of the internal market in road freight transport

Stakeholder hearing concerning the state of the internal market in road freight transport

Brussels, 6 & 7 October 2011

As of 4 December 2011 the access to the road haulage market is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 that replaces Regulation (EEC) 881/92 . The provisions of this Regulation concerning road cabotage are applicable as of 14 May 2010.

This Regulation modernises, simplifies and streamlines rules in the road haulage transport sector in order to improve the efficiency of the EU by harmonising rules on cabotage and minimising the administrative burden to the industry.

Article 17(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 requires the Commission to draw up a report on the state of the EU road haulage market by the end of 2013.

In order to prepare the drafting of this report, the Commission is assessing the situation of the EU road haulage market with the assistance of a group of "wise men" which started its work in June 2011. This High Level Group has helped to prepare a document for a public consultation.

The Commission and the High Level Group will also consult stakeholders in small-scale hearings. A first hearing will be organized on 6^th and 7^th October 2011 aimed at users of freight transport such as shippers and freight forwarders. The participants in this event will be invited directly.

A second hearing will focus on road hauliers, road haulage organisations and trade unions. That hearing will take place in February 2012. The European Commission may also call more hearings if necessary.