The European Commission authorised, on 10 August, the compensation granted by Denmark to Post Danmark for its universal postal service obligation in 2020.
In March 2021, Denmark notified the Commission of its plan to compensate Post Danmark for a maximum amount of approximately €30 million for discharging its universal postal service obligation in 2020.
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 (see EUROPE 12768/18).
On the basis of more detailed explanations provided by Denmark of the cost allocation approach of Post Danmark, the Commission found that such cost allocation complies with generally accepted accounting principles, as well as with the relevant provisions of the Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) and the Postal Services Directive. In response to concerns expressed notably by interested parties, including the complainant, Denmark decided to introduce measures to further strengthen the supervision of Post Danmark’s cost allocation approach.
The net cost calculation has been adjusted downward by Denmark to take into account comments from interested parties. The Commission found the resulting approach to be robust and conservative. Irrespective of this adjustment, the Commission concluded that the compensation paid to Post Danmark does not exceed the cost of the public service and therefore Post Danmark is not overcompensated.
On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish measure under EU State aid rules. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)