European Commission Launches Online Dispute Resolution Platform

The European Commission last week opened its new online dispute resolution (ODR) platform to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) bodies.

The platform will allow consumers and traders to settle their online disputes at the click of a mouse, both for domestic and cross-border purchases, without the need to go to court.

The online platform comes one month after the Commission proposed modern digital contract rules to simplify and promote access to digital content and online sales across the EU. The new ODR platform is expected to strengthen trust in online purchases and thereby make an important contribution to the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy.

“When consumers and traders lodge a complaint, the dispute resolution bodies will act as a referee between the two parties to resolve the issue”, an announcement by the Commission said.

The platform is currently open to alternative dispute resolution bodies to sign up and familiarise themselves with the platform before it is opened for use by consumers and traders on February 15.

It will be mandatory for online traders to provide a link to the ODR platform on their websites.

The new online platform is expected to save time and money for consumers and traders and will be accessible here from 15 February.