Rules for Uber face test in top EU court

Uber Technologies Inc.’s clashes with taxi drivers and regulators across the European Union may be resolved by the bloc’s top court, after a Spanish tribunal sought guidance on whether the ride-hailing service operator engages in unfair competition.

The EU Court of Justice should decide whether Uber can be classified as a transportation service, a Spanish tribunal in Barcelona said as it referred a number of questions to the Luxembourg-based court.

Mark MacGann, Uber’s head of European public policy, said during a call with reporters Monday that the Spanish court made the referral.

Legal and political challenges have been stacking up across Europe for San Francisco-based Uber.

Earlier this month, the company was forced to suspend its UberPop ride-hailing service in France. Uber’s operations have faced difficulties in nations including Portugal, Belgium and Germany.

Any ruling would be binding across the 28-nation EU and could affect the outcome of other national disputes Uber is facing. The case hasn’t yet been registered with the EU court, according to its press service.

—