This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the role and impact of online platforms in Belgium. It examines how global platforms influence competition, how European and Belgian regulations address these dynamics, and what measures can further ensure fair market conditions. The evaluation was commissioned by the Federal Public Service Economy, and sheds light on both the opportunities and risks posed by digital platforms across key sectors of the Belgian economy.

The challenge

Online platforms have become indispensable intermediaries in the digital economy. They bring benefits such as market access, efficiency gains, and new opportunities for innovation. Yet, their growing dominance creates dependencies for users and raises risks of anti-competitive or unfair practices. The challenge was to map the Belgian platform economy, analyze market concentration, assess the adequacy of the regulatory framework, and formulate recommendations to strengthen fair competition in Belgium while aligning with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and other relevant legislation.

Approach & results

The study combined several innovative steps to evaluate the Belgian platform economy. First, it developed a methodology to identify and classify hundreds of platforms active in Belgium, using web traffic data, revenue estimates, and sectoral segmentation. This mapping revealed a landscape dominated by a small group of international players, such as Bol.com, Zalando, Amazon, Booking.com, and UberEats, alongside specialized actors like Immoweb, Autoscout24, and Vinted.

Second, the analysis went beyond descriptive statistics to assess competition dynamics and user dependencies. Case studies highlighted how practices such as self-preferencing, excessive commissions, data-related barriers, and lack of interoperability can lock in users and limit market contestability. Sector-specific deep dives in e-commerce, hospitality, food delivery, car sales, and footwear retail brought forward concrete evidence of how these dynamics affect Belgian businesses and consumers.

Third, the project integrated a legal and institutional review of Belgian and European frameworks, including the DMA, DSA, P2B Regulation, competition law, and consumer protection legislation. It compared Belgium’s approach with that of other EU Member States, identifying gaps and opportunities for reform.

Finally, the study formulated actionable recommendations. These include: improving systematic data collection on platforms’ activities, ensuring effective enforcement of existing rules, raising awareness among users of their rights, and considering additional regulatory tools – such as codes of conduct or stronger national measures – if current rules prove insufficient.

The collaboration was central to the quality of the results. We worked hand-in-hand with Professor Alexandre de Streel and Christian Huveneers to structure the regulatory analysis, ensuring that each observed market practice was assessed against the right legal tests, from abuse of dominance and abuse of economic dependence to the asymmetric obligations introduced by the DMA.

The results show that while regulation has significantly evolved, challenges remain in implementation and enforcement. The study provides Belgian policymakers with recommendations to monitor platforms’ market power and support fair competition.

Report available here : https://economie.fgov.be/fr/publications/marche-belge-des-plateformes