The Bichet Act on the modernisation of press distribution[1] stipulates that Arcep will set out the cost accounting rules that apply to approved press distribution companies, and establish the specifications of the accounting systems – commonly referred to as “regulatory accounting” – that they must put into place and use.
Today, Arcep is publishing its Decision that details the cost accounting rules that apply to these players.
The implementation of regulatory accounting will help ensure the efficient and non-discriminatory nature of the services being provided by approved press distribution companies
Among other things, this mechanism will enable Arcep to monitor compliance with the pricing obligations imposed on these companies.
Arcep’s work on defining cost accounting rules that apply to approved press distribution companies was informed by sectoral stakeholders’ contributions to the public consultation that ran from 8 June to 20 August 2023, which are also being published today.
Implementation in 2024, for fiscal year 2023
Pursuant to the Arcep Decision, approved press distribution companies will be required to produce the requested accounting information every year, along with the requested documentation for fiscal year N by 30 June of year N+1.
Exceptionally, because they will initially be producing elements that pertain to fiscal year 2023, the requested accounting information will include only two cost restitution records, and this filing must be done by 31 October 2024 at the latest.