Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is an out-of-court system for resolving disputes between consumers and traders. When carried out online, those procedures are called online dispute resolution (ODR). The new ODR platform established by the European Commission aims at strengthening trust in online domestic and cross-border purchases, thereby making an important contribution to the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy. It was specifically designed to help consumers who have bought goods or services online and subsequently have a problem with that purchase. The initial opening to ADR bodies will allow them to get familiar with the tool before it is open to consumers and traders, by mid-February. Those bodies will act as a referee between the two parties when a complaint is lodged, to resolve the issue. It will be mandatory for online traders to insert a link to the platform on their websites.
Read more on ADR and ODR.
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