European Union's Commission services responsible for implementing and enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA) have entered into an administrative arrangement with the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the Dutch competition and consumer authority, to assist the Commission in its oversight and enforcement responsibilities. ACM will assist the Commission in supervising services that are classified as 'Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines'.

This arrangement will enhance the Commission's expertise and capabilities in identifying and evaluating systemic risks while providing support in conducting fact-finding investigations on platform compliance with the DSA. In addition, it will also facilitate the practical exchange of information, data, best practices, methodologies, technical systems, and tools with the national regulator, thereby fostering effective cooperation and coordination in overseeing and enforcing the DSA.

Based on the agreement with ACM, it is also anticipated that it will be appointed as the Digital Services Coordinator for the Netherlands, making it a part of the Board for Digital Services, which is set to be established by February 2024. The board will consist of one competent authority per Member State.

Why does it matter?

Similar administrative arrangements have been made with the regulators of France, Ireland, and Italy, aligning with the Commission's recommendation to Member States to coordinate their efforts in addressing illegal content on the designated large online platform and search engines.