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: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 07 August 2022
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 and medium-sized businesses, as they provide a level playing field for entrepreneurs to compete with larger established brands. 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 online marketplaces is the enforcement of EU law. While the EU has implemented various regulations to protect consumers and businesses, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Consumer Rights Directive (CRD), these regulations may not be effectively enforced in online environments. This is due to the nature of the internet, which is decentralized and often lacks centralized governance structures.

To address this challenge, the book proposes several recommendations for improving the enforcement of EU law in online marketplaces. These recommendations include the establishment of a dedicated regulatory body to oversee online marketplaces, the development of robust compliance mechanisms, and the provision of adequate resources to public authorities to enforce EU law effectively.

In addition to the enforcement challenges, online marketplaces also raise concerns about consumer protection. Consumers may be vulnerable to fraud, counterfeiting, and other forms of consumer harm in online transactions, as they may not have the same level of protection as they do in traditional retail settings.

To address these concerns, the book proposes several recommendations for improving consumer protection in online marketplaces. These recommendations include the development of consumer education programs, the establishment of consumer dispute resolution mechanisms, and the implementation of robust consumer protection laws and regulations.

Overall, the book provides a valuable insight into the impact of online marketplaces on European Union sector-specific legislation and its enforcement. It highlights the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to address the challenges posed by the online sale of physical consumer goods and proposes several recommendations for improving the enforcement of EU law in online marketplaces. The book will be of interest to policymakers, industry professionals, and consumers alike, as it sheds light on the emerging trends in the retail industry and the potential risks and benefits associated with online commerce.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030795061
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021