Thuiswinkel.org starts mediation and certification platforms

Ede, July 10, 2020 - With the entry into force of the Platform-to-business regulation (P2b regulation) on July 12, 2020, medium and large platforms are obliged to set up an internal complaints handling system and to provide two or more external intermediaries. to appoint. Thuiswinkel.org takes its responsibility as an advocate and starts an independent mediation service.

Mediation between platforms and sellers

“The requests for a level playing field between (inter) national platforms and for fairness and transparency to the sellers on those platforms have, of course, been going on for some time. The laws of the P2b regulation provide for this and will be maintained from 12 July. It is therefore important that all platforms, including the Netherlands, adhere to these rules. As an independent advocate for the entire e-commerce market, we see it as our duty to act as an impartial mediator in disputes between platforms and the sellers on those platforms, ”says Wijnand Jongen, director at Thuiswinkel.org.

Parties are called upon in Article 17 of the P2b Regulation Code of Conduct (code of conduct). Thuiswinkel.org has drawn up such a code of conduct between platforms and sellers in collaboration with its European umbrella organization Ecommerce Europe. This Code of Conduct serves, among other things, as the basis for the external mediation services that Thuiswinkel.org provides for platforms.

Certification of platforms and platform vendors

Even when consumers buy via platforms, they want the guarantee that they are doing business with a reliable party. To increase consumer confidence, Thuiswinkel.org has last March launched the certification of sellers on platforms. “The number of applications is running fast. In many categories, there is fierce competition. Sellers on platforms therefore want and must demonstrate to consumers that they are reliable and that they comply with laws and regulations. The Thuiswinkel Waarborg logo is a really positive award for these sellers, ”says Wijnand Jongen.

A new feature is that platforms can also be certified. “The market has developed in such a way that the Thuiswinkel Waarborg certification and the associated logo are no longer suitable for platforms. Platforms not only sell products themselves, but also offer sales space to other parties. With this new form of certification, they can demonstrate that they comply with the applicable laws and regulations and that buyers can use complaints mediation with them, ”explains Wijnand Jongen.

Certified platforms may carry the Thuiswinkel Platform quality mark, including the associated certificate. With this step, the interest group wants to offer platforms the opportunity to distinguish themselves positively and contribute to better protection of Dutch buyers on platforms and marketplaces.

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