Conference discusses regulation of collaborative economy

Andrus Ansip, the vice president of the European Commission responsible for the digital single market, noted that new services and platforms providing collaborative economy were popping up all the time.

The concept of collaborative economy is not new, but the technologies that facilitate collaborative economy are, said Ansip, who believes that collaborative economy will soon become a major part of global economy.

Turning to interaction between consumers and providers, the commissioner said that almost one third of people who used collaborative platforms were also providers of such services.

The sector has huge potential, it is still in development stage, he said, adding that its development should not be hampered but that it also must be ensured that taxes are paid and that fair working conditions are provided.

According to Ansip, the European Commission is planning to take a sector-by-sector approach to make sure that collaborative economy is developed in the right way and to avoid national differences and regulation fragmentation.

The commissioner said that Slovenia was a pioneer country in this sector and that it was working towards a coherent and balanced regulatory framework.

Regulation was also discussed by Public Administration Minister Boris Koprivnikar, who said that the government was obliged to regulate this segment of economy, but it was not being rushed. "We first have to understand it."

According to Koprivnikar, protection should be provided to workers, who must be provided with adequate insurance, as well as consumers and the competition. "The state needs to get its share of added value so that it could provide infrastructure," he said.

Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, who heads the inter-ministerial group for collaborative economy, said that the concept was about a philosophy of sharing with as little regulation as possible.

Changes in business models are faster than regulation and they are opening new questions, he said, adding that not only individuals, but small companies too were increasingly using collaborative platforms.

According to Počivalšek, the government is aware of new business models and the main task is to take regulatory measures; such a new business practice must not become a parallel or grey economy.

The minister agreed with Koprivnikar that protection should be provided to workers and consumers, saying that equal conditions for entering the market as well as adequate taxation had to be ensured.

But Počivalšek also noted that collaborative economy should not be over-regulated.

The conference, hosted by the European Commission Representation, the Public Administration Ministry and the STA will feature panels discussing the advantages and weaknesses of collaborative economy as well as its regulation.