Dalli wants easier dispute resolution for EU consumers

Commission says improved alternative dispute resolution will be quicker and cheaper.

The European Commission today published proposals designed to make it easier for consumers to resolve disputes with traders throughout the EU.

John Dalli, the European commissioner for health and consumers, presented draft legislation on alternative dispute resolution, which aims to allow consumers settle disputes without resorting to the courts.

While there are 750 alternative dispute resolution (ADR) bodies in the EU, they do not cover all products and services in all parts of the EU.

The proposals adopted today aim to ensure that ADR processes are available to all EU consumers to allow them to resolve disputes within 90 days. ADR bodies will have to meet quality criteria, including being impartial and fair.

Dalli has published a separate proposal for an online dispute resolution platform that will enable consumers to solve disputes involving online purchases. This platform should allow consumers to settle disputes within 30 days. 

Announcing the proposals today, Dalli said: “It is unacceptable that so many consumer problems are left unresolved because consumers have no real effective means of solving disputes with traders.”

The Commission said that proving reliable ADR procedures for all EU consumers would save them €22.5 billion a year.

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