E-FOOD: Closing the Online Enforcement Gap in the EU Platform Economy

Retail is going digital, and grocery shopping is no exception. European Union law has been updated to reflect this new reality, but the EU has not devised a comprehensive strategy for tackling the challenges posed by the online sale of physical consumer goods. This book evaluates the impact of online marketplaces on European Union sector-specific legislation and its enforcement.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The retail industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, and grocery shopping is not an exception. While some businesses rely on their corporate websites to make sales, both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and innovative disruptive business models are increasingly utilizing online marketplaces to offer their products online. In response to this evolving landscape, European Union law has been gradually adapted to reflect the new reality. Intellectual Property Rights legislation and Consumer Law have taken the lead in shaping a suitable regulatory framework for the Platform Economy. However, the EU has yet to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by the online sale of physical consumer goods, such as effective public enforcement in online environments. In fact, sector-specific legislation, including Food Law, largely disregards online transactions.

In this context, the book aims to evaluate the impact of online marketplaces on European Union sector-specific legislation and its enforcement. The primary objective is to assess whether the existing regulatory and policy framework is sufficient to promote compliance and bridge the enforcement gap in the digital single market. To achieve this, the book focuses on the e-food market, providing a comprehensive overview of how online marketplaces are altering EU law and its enforcement by public authorities.

Online marketplaces have disrupted the traditional retail landscape by offering a convenient and accessible platform for consumers to purchase goods. They have also facilitated the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing them with a wider reach and a more efficient distribution channel. However, the rise of online marketplaces has also raised several concerns, including the potential for fraud, counterfeiting, and consumer protection issues.

One of the key challenges facing the online sale of physical consumer goods is the enforcement of EU law. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have been able to rely on local authorities to enforce consumer protection laws, but online marketplaces operate across multiple jurisdictions, making it difficult for public authorities to monitor and enforce compliance. This has led to concerns about the safety of consumer products and the potential for unfair competition.

To address these challenges, the EU has implemented various measures to regulate online marketplaces. Intellectual Property Rights legislation, for example, has been updated to protect the intellectual property rights of online sellers and to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods. Consumer Law has also been expanded to include provisions that protect consumers from unfair practices and deceptive marketing.

However, the effectiveness of these measures has been questioned. Some argue that the EU's approach to regulating online marketplaces is fragmented and lacks a coordinated strategy. Others argue that the EU's legislation is overly complex and difficult to enforce, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Despite these challenges, there are signs of progress in the regulation of online marketplaces. The European Commission has launched several initiatives to promote the growth of the digital single market while ensuring consumer protection and promoting fair competition. These initiatives include the Digital Single Market Strategy, the e-Commerce Directive, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Digital Single Market Strategy aims to create a single market for digital goods and services in the EU, while the e-Commerce Directive provides a framework for the regulation of online marketplaces. The GDPR, which came into force in 2016, focuses on protecting the personal data of consumers and promoting fair competition in the digital economy.

In conclusion, the retail industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, and grocery shopping is not an exception. While online marketplaces have brought many benefits, they have also raised several challenges, including the enforcement of EU law. The EU has taken steps to regulate online marketplaces, but there is still work to be done to ensure that consumers are protected and that fair competition is promoted. The book evaluates the impact that online marketplaces are having on European Union sector-specific legislation and its enforcement, and provides a comprehensive overview of how online marketplaces are altering EU law and its enforcement by public authorities. By assessing the effectiveness of the existing regulatory and policy framework, the book aims to contribute to the development of a more robust and coordinated strategy for regulating online marketplaces in the EU.

Weight: 465g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030795030
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021