P2B Regulation (EU Platform-to-Business Regulation)
The P2B Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services) is an EU law applying since 12 July 2020. It sets baseline transparency and fairness rules for online platforms, including OTAs and metasearch engines, in their dealings with the businesses that list on them, such as hotels and holiday rentals.
Key obligations
- Clear terms: plain, intelligible terms and conditions, with advance notice (at least 15 days) before changes.
- Ranking transparency: disclosure of the main parameters that determine search ranking and the reasons for their relative importance, including whether payment can influence ranking.
- Suspension and termination: a statement of reasons before or when a listing is restricted, suspended or terminated, with longer notice for termination.
- Differentiated treatment: disclosure of any preferential treatment of the platform's own services or of certain business users.
- Redress: an internal complaint-handling system and named mediators for disputes.
- Parity clauses: any restriction on offering different terms elsewhere must be explained in the terms.
Example
An OTA changes how its ranking weights commission levels. Under P2B it must describe the main ranking parameters in its terms, including the role of paid visibility programmes, and give hotels notice before the new terms apply.
Why it matters
It gives hoteliers a documented basis to challenge unexplained ranking drops or delistings, and it adds compliance duties for OTAs. It is narrower than the DMA and DSA, which add obligations for very large platforms and gatekeepers.
Related
- DMA (Digital Markets Act) and DSA (Digital Services Act) extend platform regulation.
- Wide Parity Ban and Rate Parity relate to parity clauses.
- Visibility Booster and Sponsored Listings connect to ranking disclosure.