Core Viewpoint - The release of the "Guidelines for Compliance of Platform Charging Behavior (Draft for Comments)" aims to regulate the charging practices of platform enterprises, ensuring fairness, legality, and transparency in their fee structures [1][5]. Summary by Sections Reason for Establishing Guidelines - The rapid development of the platform economy in China involves millions of online operators and over 900 million consumers, making the healthy development of this sector crucial for overall economic prosperity. Issues such as complex fee structures and lack of transparency have been identified, necessitating the creation of these guidelines to enhance compliance and risk management [1]. Requirements for Compliance System - Platforms are required to implement a compliance management system that includes: 1. Establishing a compliance management organization and appointing personnel [2]. 2. Converting relevant laws and regulations into internal compliance systems with a dynamic update mechanism [2]. 3. Creating a mechanism for identifying and assessing unreasonable charging risks [2]. 4. Strengthening pre-approval mechanisms for changes in charging rules [2]. 5. Establishing training mechanisms to enhance compliance awareness among staff [2]. 6. Fostering a culture of compliance within the organization [2]. Transparency in Charging - Platforms must publicly disclose their charging rules, including: 1. Clear presentation of charging items and standards on the homepage [3]. 2. A requirement to solicit public opinion for any modifications to charging rules, with a minimum feedback period of seven days [3]. 3. Maintaining historical versions of charging rules for at least three years [3]. Prohibited Unreasonable Charges - The guidelines specify that platforms cannot impose certain unreasonable fees, including: 1. Duplicate charges or charges without corresponding services [3]. 2. Transferring costs that should be borne by the platform to operators [3]. 3. Forcing operators to purchase services or participate in promotions [3]. 4. Price discrimination among operators under similar conditions [3]. Positive Impact on Platform Economy - The introduction of these guidelines signifies an improvement in the regulatory framework for the platform economy, promoting self-regulation among enterprises and enhancing the protection of operators' rights. The guidelines encourage platforms to reduce operational burdens and ensure timely feedback on charging issues, fostering a harmonious ecosystem between platforms and operators [4][5].

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the "Guidelines for Compliance of Charging Behavior on Online Trading Platforms" aims to standardize the fees charged by platforms to their operators, ensuring their legal rights and promoting healthy development of the platform economy [1][5]. Summary by Sections Principles of Platform Charging - Charging by platforms should adhere to principles of fairness, legality, and good faith, considering service agreements, transaction rules, and the operating conditions of platform operators [2]. Reducing Burdens on Operators - Platforms are encouraged to adopt flexible pricing strategies within legal and reasonable limits, particularly providing discounts or exemptions to small and medium-sized merchants to alleviate their operational burdens [2][5]. Strengthening Compliance and Self-Regulation - Platforms are required to implement compliance management responsibilities, establish compliance management organizations, and enhance their ability to identify and prevent unreasonable charging risks [2][4]. Standardizing Charging Behavior - The guidelines specify that platforms must set reasonable charging standards, improve charging rules, and ensure transparency in fees, while also prohibiting eight types of unreasonable charging behaviors [2][3]. Enhancing Supervision and Implementation - Platforms must actively respond to operators' concerns regarding fees, cooperate with supervision, and strengthen industry self-regulation to ensure fair market competition [2][3]. Risk Assessment Mechanism - Platforms should establish mechanisms to identify and assess risks associated with unreasonable charging behaviors, utilizing data technology for effective monitoring [3][4]. Improvement of Regulatory Framework - The introduction of the guidelines signifies further enhancement of the regulatory framework for platform economies, addressing issues of transparency and fairness in charging practices [5].

Core Viewpoint - The newly drafted "Guidelines for Compliance of Charging Behavior on Online Trading Platforms" aims to regulate platform charging practices, reduce the burden on operators, and enhance compliance and self-discipline within platforms [2][3]. Summary by Relevant Sections Regulatory Framework - The guidelines signify an improvement in the regulatory policy system for platform economies in China, promoting sustainable and healthy development [2]. - The guidelines address specific issues such as non-transparent and unreasonable charging practices, reflecting the regulatory body's commitment to protecting the legitimate rights of platform operators [2][3]. Focus on Platform Operators - The guidelines emphasize the need for platforms to consider operational costs and the conditions of platform operators when setting charges, encouraging platforms to provide discounts or support for small and medium-sized businesses [3]. - Eight types of unreasonable charging behaviors are identified, including duplicate charges and fees without corresponding services, which platforms are required to avoid [3]. Shift in Regulatory Focus - The guidelines represent a shift in regulatory focus from primarily protecting consumers to also safeguarding the rights of platform operators, addressing the power imbalance between platforms and operators [3][4]. - The guidelines aim to create a fair competitive market environment, responding to the core demands of numerous small and medium-sized businesses [3][4]. Definition of Platform Operators - The term "platform operators" encompasses a wide range of entities, including e-commerce, food delivery, ride-hailing, and various matchmaking platforms, all of which are subject to the new guidelines [4]. - The guidelines do not aim to weaken platforms but rather promote a governance model that combines government regulation with corporate self-discipline, encouraging platforms to enhance internal governance and reduce the operational burden on operators [4]. Long-term Cooperation - The guidelines stress the importance of mutual development between platforms and operators, highlighting that both parties are integral to the same ecosystem and must thrive together for long-term stability [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the draft of the "Compliance Guidelines for Charging Behavior of Online Trading Platforms," which aims to regulate the fees charged by platforms to their operators, ensuring fair practices and promoting healthy development of the platform economy [1][3][10]. Summary by Sections Principles of Charging - Charging by platforms should adhere to principles of fairness, legality, and good faith, considering service agreements, transaction rules, and the operating conditions of platform operators [1][5]. Reducing Burdens on Operators - Platforms are encouraged to adopt flexible pricing strategies within legal and reasonable limits, providing discounts or support to small and medium-sized merchants to alleviate their operational burdens [1][5]. Strengthening Self-Regulation - Platforms are required to implement compliance management responsibilities, establish compliance management organizations, and enhance their ability to manage charging compliance [1][5][7]. Regulating Charging Behavior - Platforms must set reasonable charging standards, maintain clear charging rules, and ensure transparency in their fee structures, while prohibiting eight types of unreasonable charging behaviors [2][5][6]. Enhancing Supervision and Implementation - Platforms are expected to respond to operators' concerns regarding charges, cooperate with supervision, and promote industry self-discipline to ensure fair market competition [2][5][6]. Legal Framework - The guidelines are based on existing laws such as the Price Law and the E-commerce Law, which prohibit unreasonable fees and emphasize fair pricing practices [4][5]. Future Impact - The implementation of these guidelines is anticipated to improve the regulatory framework for the platform economy, enhance self-regulation among platform enterprises, and protect the rights of platform operators [9].