The Digital Markets Act (DMA) set out the ambitious goal of reaching contestability and fairness in digital markets. As we approach the 6 March 2024 deadline, regulators, gatekeepers, and third parties are jointly working on launching the DMA compliance process. At the same time, the Digital Services Act (DSA) is facing an important deadline, as the rules in the DSA will start applying to all online platforms from 17 February 2024.

When it comes to the DMA, the currently designated gatekeeper platforms will soon present their compliance plans to the Commission, which has exclusive competence to enforce the rules. In this, it is adopting a novel role as an enforcer of sector-specific regulation and is closely coordinating with national authorities, all of which raises unique institutional design questions. A non-exhaustive set of indicators, which will assist in determining whether gatekeepers comply with DMA obligations will accompany the implementation process, alongside an assessment of other appropriate and qualitative evidence.

In terms of the DSA, the designated Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs) have submitted their first reports demonstrating their method of conducting the so-called risk assessments and the associated societal risk-mitigation measures. How the Commission will assess these reports remains to be seen.

Within the frame of a wide-ranging project entitled the ‘CERRE Forum on the Digital Markets Act Compliance’, CERRE will organise the Digital Platforms Summit on 17 January 2024, between 10:30 and 18:00 CET, in Brussels. Leading policy makers, industry representatives, regulators, and civil society will discuss the interaction between the DMA and the contemporary EU regulatory framework, aligning new obligations with concurrent rules on data protection, confidential information and the DSA. What does a successful DMA and DSA implementation look like in practice and what tools can help us assess if it is working? Register and join us, in person or online, for a stimulating discussion.

The event is free and open to all but registration is required. Viewers will have the chance to submit questions for the panellists during the event. If you cannot join us live, the event will be available to replay on the CERRE YouTube channel afterwards.