Introduction

• Author: Pierre Hausemer - Julia Rzepecka - Marius Dragulin - Simone Vitiello - Lison Rabuel - Madalina Nunu - Adriana Rodriguez Diaz - Emma Psaila - Sara Fiorentini - Sara Gysen - Tim Meeusen - Simon Quaschning - Allison Dunne - Vadim Grinevich - Franz Huber - Linda Baines
• Pages: 14-17

Exploratory study of consumer issues in online peer-to-peer platform markets –

Task 1 Report

14

1 Introduction

This is the Task 1 report submitted as part of contract CHAFEA 2015 86 02 signed

with the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) on

an exploratory study on consumer aspects of peer -to-peer (P2P) markets facilitated

by online platforms.

1.1 Aims and objectives of this study

This study is undertaken within the scope of an action covered by Objective 3 of the

European Commission’s work programme for 2015

2 within its multiannual consumer

programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. Objective 3 aims for the

development and reinforcement of consumer rights, through smart r egulatory

action and improving access to simple, efficient, expedient and low-cost redress,

including alternative dispute resolution mechanisms3. The present study

complements other national and international initiatives in this field by considering

user and consumer aspects and issues in selected online P2P markets.

The overall objective of the present exploratory study is to explore and construct

a picture of the main P2P and sharing economy markets with a focus on

user and consumer aspects and issues.

The study objective is achieved through collecting primary and secondary data from

EU Member States and Norway to provide an exploratory analysis of the:

 Indicative economic importance of P2P markets facilitated by online

platforms in the EU Member States, and the main P2P business models;

 Main experience, perceptions, expectations and problems of

consumers/users in P2P markets facilitated by online platforms in 10 EU

Member States;

 Relevance of the EU consumer acquis and other related EU and national

legislation in addressing specific issues and problems in the main P2P

business models, and in its enforcement, concerning the distinction between

P2P and business-to-consumers (B2C) transactions;

 Transparency of business models and effectiveness of self-regulatory

mechanisms for verification, redress/complaint handling, fulfilling tax

obligations as operated by online P2P platforms,

 Policy options for resolving any major issues or problems identified.

The ultimate purpose of this exploratory analysis is to identify the main

issues for consumers in this new and fast developing market and to develop

operational policy options that support the highest level of consumer prote ction in

line with the relevant regulatory frameworks at EU and Member-State levels.

2 As adopted by the Commission Implementing Decision C(2014)9393 final of 11 December 2014.

3 Article 3(1)(c) of Regulation (EU) No 254/2014.