The Law and Parcel Cotransportation

The Mobility Orientation Law of 24 December 2019 profoundly reforms the general framework of mobility policies in France. It incorporates environmental issues.

It was developed following the National Mobility Conferences and published in the Official Journal on 26 December 2019.

One article of this law is of particular interest to us. It concerns parcel cotransportation. We are delighted that it has come into being, as Cocolis has worked hard to make it happen!

The LOM Law, an Accelerator of Innovation in Mobility and Transport

As highlighted by Droit du Partage, a legal blog specialising in the collaborative economy:

"We believe that a few key points are worth mentioning. Supporting innovation in goods transport: the law establishes 'parcel cotransportation' (that is, the movement of parcels based on cost-sharing) and provides that an ordinance may define the conditions for the operation of digital intermediation platforms, particularly between customers and companies carrying out public road transport of goods." Droit du Partage

The Transport Code now contains a new article, Article L3232-1. This sets out the legal framework for parcel cotransportation. Read it here. Parcel cotransportation is included in the LOM law, in Article 40. Read it here.

The LOM Law, in Line with Our Vision of Parcel Cotransportation

The Cocolis platform is dedicated to collaborative transport, now called 'parcel cotransportation'.

Since Cocolis was founded at the end of 2015, we have encouraged practices that do not create unfair competition for carriers. We are not 'cowboys'.

We believe that carriers already have enough to deal with in terms of regulations and unfair competition from some foreign carriers (cabotage activity). That’s why, in 2018, we proactively met with carrier representatives (FNTR) to explain the Cocolis approach.

We believe that cotransportation is a win-win system that brings value. Cotransportation (previously called 'parcel carpooling') allows goods to be transported at a lower cost.

We believe that cotransportation complements traditional transport. In most cases, the goods delivered would not have been transported by a professional carrier.

Furthermore, prices are regulated by Cocolis to ensure they remain within the cost-sharing framework, with no profit possible for the cotransporter.

We are a trusted partner to facilitate this service exchange. Cocolis is recommended by 98% of its customers and has an excellent average rating of 4.9/5.

We offer our customers:

• an Android and iPhone mobile app,
• insurance for parcels at some of the lowest prices on the market,
• an intuitive private messaging service,
• a secure online payment system,
• and customer support that responds on average in less than an hour.

Cocolis, a Player in the LOM Law

Elisabeth Borne, Minister of Transport, wanted to include mobility stakeholders in the development of the LOM law. This took the form of the Mobility Conferences, bringing together mobility stakeholders, Ministry of Transport staff, and more.

Cocolis joined the initiative from the very beginning: we were present at the launch meeting of the Mobility Conferences at the Palais Brongniart. We then took part in the working groups and suggested including 'parcel carpooling' in the LOM law.

The term 'parcel cotransportation' was chosen to name the activity of parcel carpooling.

Bringing our experience to the discussion was essential in our view, so that this reform would closely match our vision of cotransportation and the expectations of our loyal community.

In 2019, we were pleased to be received at the National Assembly as part of consultations by MPs on the draft law (thanks to Damien Abad and Bérengère Couillard!).

We are delighted with the enactment of this new law, which underpins the approach we have taken from the very beginning! 🙂

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