Collaborative economy and online platforms: a shared view of cities and regions
ECON-VI/016
Collaborative economy and online platforms: a shared view of cities and regions
to continue to take part in the emerging EU-level debate on this issue
to strengthen further the position of the CoR as an important player in this field with regards to other institutions
to highlight the views and concerns of LRAs with regards to this phenomenon
to put forward solutions to the issues raised by the collaborative economy accross the EU
to strengthen further the position of the CoR as an important player in this field with regards to other institutions
to highlight the views and concerns of LRAs with regards to this phenomenon
to put forward solutions to the issues raised by the collaborative economy accross the EU
This opinion allowed the CoR to highlight the strong local and regional relevance of this policy field and have it recognized by other EU institutions.
For instance, thanks to contacts between the CoR and the EP's IMCO rapporteur, Nicola Danti (IT/S&D), his draft report contained a dedicated section on the "Local dimension of the collaborative economy" and acknowledged the important role of LRAs in this field. This section on the local dimension of the collaborative economy was preserved in the final resolution adopted by the Parliament plenary session on 15 June 2017.
For instance, thanks to contacts between the CoR and the EP's IMCO rapporteur, Nicola Danti (IT/S&D), his draft report contained a dedicated section on the "Local dimension of the collaborative economy" and acknowledged the important role of LRAs in this field. This section on the local dimension of the collaborative economy was preserved in the final resolution adopted by the Parliament plenary session on 15 June 2017.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
stresses that despite its complexity, early action to prevent fragmentation in the first place would still be far less difficult than ex-post harmonisation of 28 national frameworks and countless local and regional regulations;
finds that the Commission's communication provides elements and criteria for assessment without giving a full response, which will inevitably result in differences in interpretation and further fragmentation of the single market; therefore calls on the Commission to come up with a clear legal framework that ensures that fair competition principles are upheld; regrets, here, that the Commission's approach seems to be to let the European legislator only endorse a certain number of judicial decisions;
questions whether the Services Directive's definition of "service provider" is still appropriate, since its current wording captures any economic activity, including the many highly infrequent and non-professional activities provided by peers;
underlines in particular the case of tourist taxes, which are a key concern for many local and regional authorities, since in many locations where such a tax applies, it is not collected on stays reserved through collaborative economy platforms; adds that this breach of regulation cannot be tolerated, that it creates unfair competition vis-à-vis traditional accommodation providers, and furthermore deprives local and regional authorities of revenue;
supports the establishment of a "forum of collaborative economy cities" to share experience and exchange good practice, which besides the CoR should involve the European organisations and networks active in the local and regional dimension of the collaborative economy and liaise with the relevant thematic partnerships of the Urban Agenda for the EU.
stresses that despite its complexity, early action to prevent fragmentation in the first place would still be far less difficult than ex-post harmonisation of 28 national frameworks and countless local and regional regulations;
finds that the Commission's communication provides elements and criteria for assessment without giving a full response, which will inevitably result in differences in interpretation and further fragmentation of the single market; therefore calls on the Commission to come up with a clear legal framework that ensures that fair competition principles are upheld; regrets, here, that the Commission's approach seems to be to let the European legislator only endorse a certain number of judicial decisions;
questions whether the Services Directive's definition of "service provider" is still appropriate, since its current wording captures any economic activity, including the many highly infrequent and non-professional activities provided by peers;
underlines in particular the case of tourist taxes, which are a key concern for many local and regional authorities, since in many locations where such a tax applies, it is not collected on stays reserved through collaborative economy platforms; adds that this breach of regulation cannot be tolerated, that it creates unfair competition vis-à-vis traditional accommodation providers, and furthermore deprives local and regional authorities of revenue;
supports the establishment of a "forum of collaborative economy cities" to share experience and exchange good practice, which besides the CoR should involve the European organisations and networks active in the local and regional dimension of the collaborative economy and liaise with the relevant thematic partnerships of the Urban Agenda for the EU.
