What is PAS 202 - Sharing economy specifications about?
The foundation of a sharing economy is mutual cooperation. Digital platforms such as websites or apps make it possible for people to connect with one another to share services or goods.
PAS 202 was written to help accelerate the development of the sharing economy. PAS 202 does so by providing requirements for commercial platform operators which, when applied, will result in users having a trustworthy and reliable online experience.
PAS 202 specifies requirements for commercial platform operators providing a service within the sharing economy. PAS 202 covers safety and consumer protection, management activities, resourcing, risk management and evaluation and continual improvement of the service.
PAS 202 is intended to define guiding principles and a framework for decision making and action.
Who is PAS 202 - Sharing economy specifications for?
PAS 202 on sharing economy specifications for an online platform is beneficial for:
- Operators of online platforms providing services as part of the sharing economy
- Non-profit organizations
- Charity platform operators
- Fashion platforms
- Freelancing platforms
- Co-working platforms
- Peer-to-peer lending platforms
- Share rides / space platforms
- Regulators
Why should you use PAS 202 - Sharing economy specifications?
The sharing economy uses the internet to match providers of assets and skills with customers and users who’ll benefit from them. Better use can be made of available goods, skills, services, capital and spaces. AirBNB is an example. Space not currently in use is sold to people who want to use it via a website.
The sharing economy covers both free and fee-based transactions and can provide reserve capacity for managing the impacts of planned and unforeseen events. Generally, end-users and providers do not know each other and the structures common to traditional business transactions – such as guarantees and compensation mechanisms – are often absent. So, sharing economy customers often rely on user reviews customized for specific products and services, and usually involve a form of evaluation rating of providers.
Commercial platform operators should use PAS 202 because it specifies requirements for providing a robust service within the sharing economy. PAS 202 covers:
- Safety and consumer protection
- Management activities
- Resourcing
- Risk management and evaluation
- Continual improvement of the service
PAS 202 does not directly cover the technical aspects of cyber or information security with regards to managing an online platform, but PAS 202 specifies requirements for a governance structure to manage associated risks.
The requirements apply for all platform operators across all sectors and locations, and their use will result in a reliable and positive experience for users. This in turn will nurture user confidence in the sharing economy model, thereby accelerating the development of a sharing economy sector.