The legislative proposal to re-establish the balance between the digital platforms and their professional users received a relatively cool reception at the internal market and consumer protection committee (IMCO) at the European Parliament on Thursday 17 May.
This involved an initial exchange of views between MEPs on the draft regulation seeking to end unfair practices by intermediation services (such as Amazon Marketplace) and online search engines (like Google Search) (see EUROPE 12010).
During the IMCO committee discussion, which will certainly be the lead committee, Dita Charanzova (ALDE, Czech Republic) was particularly sceptical and said, “I think we have to get back to the market in this area. I am not opposed in principle but I would like, nonetheless, for the Commission to give me some examples”. She was particularly critical of the possible costs to SMEs, transparency rating obligations, restrictions and the lack of a hierarchy in possible appeal cases.
Several MEPs were critical of the tight deadline they would have to work within, given that the European elections are scheduled for next year.
The Commission defended his proposal and asserted that it had taken the time to analyse the different options and their impacts. It also explained that the internal complaints management system, to which small businesses are exempt, would cost between 1% in 2% of a company’s turnover. According to the Commission a hierarchy of appeal possibilities (mediation at first, then legal action) is not legally valid. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)