In July 2009, the 3rd Package was adopted by the European Union and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on August 14, 2009. This package includes two directives on electricity and gas respectively, as well as three regulations on access rules to electricity and gas networks and the creation of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). These texts will enter into force on March 3, 2011.
 
Concerning natural gas, the 3rd Package aims at deepening market integration by improving regulatory harmonisation throughout Europe through the adoption of European network codes. The preparation of network codes will be a two-step process: the ACER will develop framework guidelines on specific topics which will be translated into codes by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSO-G). On 27 January 2011 the Commission invited ACER to start the procedure on a framework guideline on capacity allocation in gas transmission networks.
 
In accordance with the priorities agreed, and in light of the Agency's work program for 2011, the Agency will in accordance with Article 6 (2) of Regulation (EC) No. 715/2009 submit to the Commission a framework guideline on gas capacity allocation rules by 04 July 2011.
 
This framework guideline is based on ERGEG’s Revised Pilot Framework Guideline on Capacity Allocation Mechanisms, adopted on 7 December 2010.
 
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