October, 2016

The sharing economy and digital platforms

An important part of the digital platform revolution is the sharing economy, which is based on reductions in transaction costs which enable exchanges that were previously not possible. Sharing economy firms facilitate a more efficient use of assets, to the benefit of both asset owners and prospective users.

A common EU approach to the sharing economy should focus on intervening where national and local regulations contradict competition and the free movement of goods and services. The aim must be to encourage Member States to liberalise regulation that has been made redundant by innovation.