Get Involved: U.S. TAG to ISO Technical Committee 324 on the Sharing Economy

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) encourages interested U.S. experts to participate in the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (U.S. TAG) to ISO Technical Committee 324, which focuses on standardization in the field of the sharing economy. Work on the standard ISO 42500, Sharing Economy—Terminology and Principles, is in process.

Sharing Economies and the End User’s Perspective

Sharing economies are ecosystems that operate based on the enablement of provider-to-end user transactions by platforms. Platforms may facilitate access (renting/lending) to and information about idle assets and services. The sharing economy has made it possible to rideshare, access and provide apartment/home lending, and has helped businesses re-imagine operations in areas including hospitality, dining, travel, media, and entertainment. Consumer and business reliance of online platforms and mobile apps has supported the growth of the sharing economy: With a few clicks within mobile apps, end users can access food delivery, specialty clothing, or use of someone’s car for a specific period of time, among other actions.

A 2018 report from Lloyd's of London surveying U.S., UK, and Chinese consumers found deep consumer insights on sharing economy businesses. According to the report:

• While consumers recognize risks in the sharing economy, they also see clear benefits from using shared services, citing affordability, convenience, flexibility, and the ability to earn additional income.
• However, 58% of consumers in the U.S. and the UK said that sharing economy platforms are too risky to use.
• The top five risks for consumers centered on personal safety, quality of service, damage to assets, theft, and lack of sufficient safeguards in the event something goes wrong.
• As existing businesses make use of platforms and access both business and consumer markets and peer users thrive and become “businesses” in their own right, the risks can diminish – and so can the competition challenges for peer providers as they enter the sharing economy.

To support the need for trust, reliability and a level playing field, ISO TC 324 is currently working on the development of the standard ISO 42500, Sharing Economy—Terminology and Principles, a document that defines terms and principles used in sharing economy standards.

The TC is also working on standardization to support ISO/PWI 42501, Sharing Economy—General trustworthiness and safety requirements for digital platform, which specifies general trust and safety requirements applicable to commercial and digital platform operators administrating access and the transfer of assets within the sharing economy.

Other work includes ISO/PWI 42502, Sharing Economy—Guidelines for provider verification on digital platforms, which gives guidelines for platform operators when verifying providers (including entry, maintaining, and exit).

ANSI administers the U.S. TAG to ISO TC 324 on behalf of OASIS

ANSI administers the U.S. TAG to ISO TC 324, a committee focused on standardization for a more efficient sharing economy, on behalf of the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS).

U.S. TAG participation is open to interested U.S. parties, including businesses and individuals operating within the sharing economy space; academics and professionals familiar with the creation of new business models, their benefits and limitations; and those familiar with gig workers or labor regulations.

Organizations interested in participating in the U.S. TAG to TC 324 should contact Dee Schur, OASIS Open Source and Standards Advocacy ([email protected]).