EPP Group protecting SMEs against big platforms

New fairness and transparency rules for digital platforms

The new rules on fairness and transparency for digital platforms and App stores (like Amazon, Google or eBay) will end unfair practices and ensure a fair and transparent online environment for businesses using online platforms. Members of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee today approved the agreement that was reached last week with the Council.

Philippe Juvin MEP, who negotiated the agreement on behalf of the EPP Group, stressed the importance of the fact that this is the first legislation of this kind at EU level. “The Digital Single Market is getting another boost with the new transparency rules and we have successfully protected SMEs against big platforms. Businesses that sell their goods on online platforms and rely on search engines to attract customers will have clear parameters for their rankings in the lists.

The new rules also foresee that ’Terms and Conditions’ between platforms and a business have to be in a plain and intelligible language and users have to be notified of any modifications.

On an EPP Group initiative, the new rules will also include drawing up so-called black lists of unfair practices that customers and businesses can be aware of and be better protected against.

“The EU has set a global standard here to help businesses deal with the growing power of the big platforms”, said Juvin, underlining the advantages for business of the new transparency rules.

On the request of MEPs, the European Commission is obliged to review the rules after 18 months after the entry-into-force.