The Independence of Regulators and Broadband Expert Working Group (IRB EWG) has approved the Model Law on Electronic Communications, which was prepared by the EU4Digital Facility together with the IRB EWG of the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg). 

The Model Law contributes to strengthening the independence of National regulatory authorities (NRAs) of EaP countries. It was formally adopted on 25 November in Lisbon, during 12th meeting of the working group, which unanimously agreed that the Model Law, together with the assessment report that highlights important recommendations for each country,are valuable instruments to strengthen national regulatory authorities in the field of electronic communications. 

The report builds on the Insights report on independence of National Regulatory Authorities in Eastern partner countries finalised in 2020, by bridging identified legislative gaps and related recommendations. 

The gaps assessment follows criteria listed under the Methodology on national electronic communications regulatory authorities’ independence assessment for Eastern Partnership countries.

The Model Law includes all the necessary norms ready for transposition to ensure full compliance with the relevant requirements of the European Union. The members of the IRB EWG agreed to regularly assess the transposition of the Model Law into the national legislations of EaP countries.