Includes bibliographical references.

The sharing economy and online P2P markets are rapidly growing phenomena that could empower consumers by allowing peer suppliers/providers to monetise under-utilised resources, on the one hand, and by making goods and services more afforda-ble for peer consumers, on the other hand. The emergence and development of these new markets, however, also raises consumer protection concerns due to regulatory uncertainty. Against this background, the ‘Exploratory study of consumer issues in the sharing economy’ (the Study), included in its objectives an analysis of the 28 EU Member States’ legislation applicable to C2C transactions and to online platforms facil-itating P2P transactions (Task 5 – Legal Analysis). A focal point of this analysis is the identification of the key national-level indicators used to distinguish between individuals acting in a private capacity and individuals acting in a commercial/professional capacity; a distinction that has gained particular importance in the sharing economy context. Furthermore, the Legal Analysis investi-gates the extent to which the EU consumer acquis and other relevant EU legislation might apply to C2C transactions and online platforms facilitating these transactions. It also identifies the main enforcement issues of the applicable legal frameworks, the application problems experienced by national authorities, and relevant legal and policy initiatives adopted, or being discussed, by Member States or at EU level.

Reproducción autorizada, con indicación de la fuente bibliográfica ; Unión Europea.