‘High rate of non-compliance' with P2B
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is considering action against online platforms used by businesses to sell or promote goods or services.
This follows a sweep carried out by the watchdog that found that up to 80% of the platforms were non-compliant in some way with an EU regulation designed to ensure that businesses using them are treated fairly, transparently, and predictably.
The CCPC sweep, which focused on compliance with the EU's Platform to Business Regulation (P2B), covered 17 platforms and followed what the watchdog described as a “notable increase” in complaints in 2025.
Handling complaints
The commission says that many Irish businesses rely on online platforms to reach customers – by selling goods through online marketplaces or using platforms to help customers find their businesses online.
Based on concerns expressed to the CCPC, the sweep focused on two areas:
- The requirement for platforms to ensure their terms and conditions are clear, accessible, and not misleading. Platforms must give at least 15 days’ notice of any changes to these terms and conditions and cannot apply those changes retrospectively, and
- The requirements for platforms to offer internal complaint-handling systems and details of independent mediators if internal dispute resolution fails.
The CCPC found that around 80% of the platforms swept had “some element of non-compliance" with these requirements at the time of the sweep in late 2025.
‘Appropriate action’
“In light of this apparent high rate of non-compliance, the CCPC is considering the most appropriate actions to address potential breaches of the law and ensure businesses can exercise their rights,” it stated.
It pointed to a range of tools it had to tackle non-compliance – including engagement, compliance, notices and prosecution.
The CCPC said that its focus would be on ensuring that platforms were aware of their obligations and that the rights of Irish businesses were protected.