The next big thing?

At the end of November 2011, the European Commission published two proposals in the field of consumer alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The first one is a Directive on consumer ADR that requires member states to ensure the provision and availability of ADR entities that comply with legal standards for resolving disputes between traders and consumers (COM(2011) 793/2). The second proposal is a Regulation on consumer online dispute resolution (ODR) which requires the establishment of a pan-European ODR platform that will become a single point of entry for resolving online consumer complaints arising from e-commerce (C(2011) 794/2). The platform, which is expected to be fully operational in 2015, will link complainants to approved ADR entities. Both proposals are due to be adopted into law by the end of 2012, and implemented in all member states 18 months later.

The commission proposal

The Directive on consumer ADR

The proposed ADR Directive requires member states to ensure the provision