The Netherlands Launches Market Study Into Platform-To-Business Regulation

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) will launch a study into how online platform companies deal with the rules laid down in the Platform-to-Business Regulation (P2B Regulation), and into the problems that businesses that are active in this market encounter.

The P2B Regulation contains transparency obligations for online platform companies as well as rules for effective settlement of disputes. At the moment, platform companies must already comply with the rules laid down in the regulation, but efforts are currently underway to strengthen the enforcement thereof. The Dutch State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has drafted a bill, which proposes to charge the ACM with enforcement of compliance with the rules laid down in this regulation.

The ACM will thus launch a market study in order to prepare itself for that future duty. The ACM expects to complete the first part of that study in the spring of 2022. The ACM will then decide whether or not it should provide more clarity regarding the rules laid down in the regulation.

“Online platforms play a key role in the economy where the process of digitalization is increasingly picking up steam”, said Manon Leijten, Member of the Board of the ACM. “Such platforms offer benefits, for example because they allow businesses to serve their customers in an easy and efficient manner. As a result, successful platform companies can also become very powerful. As regulator of the digital economy, we remain vigilant that small businesses are protected against unfair commercial practices, while also keeping in mind that innovation is sufficiently stimulated.”

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