​​​​​​The Board of Regulators plays a key role within the Agency. It is in charge of the regulatory policy and provides opinions on various Agency Acts considered for adoption and issues guidance to the Director.

It approves the Agency’s work programme and is consulted on other key matters.

The Board of Regulators consists of senior representatives of the 27 National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) of Member States and non-voting representatives from EEA EFTA States, the European Commission and the EFTA Surveillance Authority.

The Board of Regulators must act independently and must not take instructions from any government of a Member State, from the European Commission, or from another public or private entity.​

The Board of Regulators adopts its ⁠rules of proc​edure, regulating the way NRAs cooperate together through ACER.

Decisions of the BoR are adopted on the basis of a two-thirds majority of the members present (each membe​r has only one vote).​​​

ACER Board of Appeal adopted the Rules of Organisation and Procedure for appeals in 2019. These Rules (last amended in November 2023) establish the framework for the appeal process, ensuring efficient decision-making and upholding the procedural rights of the parties involved.

To support parties acting in compliance with the legal requirements and prepare their appeals in the most effective way, the Board of Appeal has adopted Practice Directions and a set of templates (cover sheet with general information, table of annexes, confidentiality request, announcement of appeal and a checklist). 

Whilst they are not compulsory, the Board recommends their use to avoid​ possible delays or declarations of inadmissibility.​

The Board of Appeal has also adopted Instructions to the Registrar which can be found in the box below.

The relationship of the Board of Appeal and the Agency in administrative terms is governed by the Administrative Arrangement.​

The ACER Regulation grants ACER the authority to make individual decisions and establishes a Board of Appeal to handle appeals against specific decisions, outlined in Article 2(d). These include decisions related to:

• requests for information;
• approval of methodologies;
• terms and conditions;
• infrastructure; and
• some aspects of wholesale market integrity and transparency.

Any natural or legal person may appeal an ACER decision that is addressed to them or is of direct and individual concern to them.

The Board of Appeal operates as an independent body to address complaints lodged against ACER decisions. It examines whether the appeal is valid and can either confirm ACER’s decision or remit the case back to the competent ACER body for further action. 

Decisions taken by the Board of Appeal may as well be appealed before the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The Board of Appeal is part of ACER but at the same time independent from its administrative and regulatory structure. It is essential that members and alternates act independently and in the public interest.

The Board of Appeal is composed by six members and six alternates for a mandate of 5 years (renewable once).

Members and alternates are selected among current or former senior staff of the national regulatory authorities (NRAs), competition authorities or other national or EU institutions with relevant experience in the energy sector.​

The Board designates its Chair and Vice-Chair from among its members. The Chair is responsible for presiding and allocating appeal proceedings, while the Vice-Chair steps in for the Chair in case of unavailability.

To ensure the Board of Appeal operates smoothly and efficiently, a Registry has been established. The Registry supports the Board by managing the appeal process, handling correspondence and maintaining case files.

For more information on the Registry’s responsibilities, please refer to the Instructions to the Registrar.

For questions on the appeal procedure, you can contact the Registry via email at:

European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators
Trg republike 3
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia

A word from Volker on his appointment as ACER Director ad interim (from 16 October 2025):

“I am honoured to be entrusted with leading ACER through this interim period from 16 October 2025 until the new Director is recruited. My main goal in the coming months is to ensure that the Agency continues to deliver on its mandate so that this transition is a time of consolidation - steadying the ship and preparing a solid foundation for the future.”

 - Volker Zuleger ​-

ACER is managed and represented by its Director. 

The Director’s term of office is five years. It may be prolonged by the Administrative Board once only, for a further five years.

Mr Volker Zuleger was appointed Director ad interim of ACER, following a decision by the Agency’s Administrative Board on 12 September. He took over as Director ad interim from 16 October 2025, ensuring the continuity of the service and the proper running of the Agency. He succeeds Mr Christian Zinglersen, who vacated the ACER Director post on 15 October to take up a new position elsewhere.

The Director represents the Agency vis-à-vis external stakeholders and ensures its internal functioning.

He adopts and publishes the official acts (opinions, recommendations and decisions), receiving a favourable opinion from the Board of Regulators.

He is responsible for drafting the annual work programme of the Agency and implementing it under the guidance of the Board of Regulators and the administrative control of the Administrative Board. The Director also draws up a preliminary draft budget and implements the Agency's approved budget. ​

Download high resolution photos of the ACER Director ad interim, Volker Zuleger:

• Official portrait
• Official portrait with ACER logo

Download Mr Zuleger's bio.

​You can contact Mr. Zuleger at:

The Annual Work programme contains ACER's multi-annual outlook, priorities and strategies. 

It is prepared by the Director and adopted by the Administrative Board.

​Before its adoption, the Administrative Board consults the European Commission and must receive a favourable opinion from the Board of Regulators on the ​​regulatory outline.
 

After the adoption, the Administrative Board transmits the Work programme to the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the Commission. 

The Work pr​​ogramme is then made public.​

​Have a look at the latest edition:

Every year ACER produces a Consolidated Annual Activity Report (CAAR) describing the activities performed and the objectives achieved during the year, as indicated in the Wo​rk Programme.

​Have a look at the latest edition:​