Annual Work Programme

BEREC Work Programme 2023

The image shows the cover of the BEREC Work Programme 2023The legal basis for BEREC is set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/1971 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the Agency for Support for BEREC (BEREC Office) – the ‘BEREC Regulation’. The new Regulation replaces Regulation (EC) No 1211/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 establishing the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the Office, which was part of the Telecoms Reform package.

BEREC aims to ensure the independent, consistent and high-quality application of the European regulatory framework for electronic communications for the benefit of Europe and its citizens. The objectives of the BEREC Work Programme 2023 are based on the mandatory tasks arising from the new European Electronic Communications Code (EECC), but also fundamentally on the BEREC Strategy 2021-2025, with a keen focus on the following three strategic priorities:

  • Promoting full connectivity;
  • Supporting sustainable and open digital markets; 
  • Empowering end-users.

Preparation and approval process

Striving to achieve the goals outlined in the BEREC Strategy 2021-2025, the incoming BEREC Chair must prepare an outline of the BEREC Work Programme, to be adopted by the Board of Regulators by 31 January of the year preceding the chairmanship.

Once adopted, the draft BEREC Work Programme is prepared, if required, in assistance with the Agency for Support for BEREC (BEREC Office). Moreover, the BEREC Working Groups and all BEREC Members and Participants without voting rights may make proposals to the incoming BEREC Chair. Subsequently, the draft BEREC Work Programme will be submitted to the Contact Network, where BEREC Members and Participants without voting rights will have the opportunity to submit their comments. Having received comments and any amendments having been implemented, the updated draft BEREC Work Programme is submitted to the Board of Regulators (BoR) for approval.

In addition, the draft BEREC Work Programme is submitted to the European Parliament (EP), the European Council (the Council) and the European Commission (EC) for consultation. Furthermore, and in accordance with Article 4(5) of the BEREC Regulation, other interested parties and stakeholders are able to provide their input to the draft BEREC Work Programme through the public consultation. After the consultation processes, the BoR must adopt the final BEREC Work Programme by 31 December of the year preceding the chairmanship. The BEREC Chair, on behalf of the BoR must transmit the final BEREC Work Programme to the EP, the Council and the EC.

BEREC Work Programmes from previous years can be consulted under the document category BEREC Strategies and Work Programmes. 

BEREC maintains close relations with the EC, the Council and the EP, which, in accordance with the BEREC Regulation, may ask for its opinion. BEREC assigns high priority to such requests and therefore needs to ensure that sufficient resources can be made available at short notice. In order to meet such requests, it may become necessary to reprioritise or make changes to the Work Programme, especially with regard to the timing of individual items in it.

In order to achieve the objectives set out in the BEREC Regulation and carry out its tasks, BEREC and the BEREC Office may cooperate with competent Union bodies, offices, agencies and advisory groups, with competent authorities of third countries and with international organisations. Further information is provided in the External Cooperation section.