European Union: European Commission submitted proposal for a Directive amending Directive 2013/11/EU on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes

On 17 October 2023, the European Commission proposed a directive amending Directive 2013/11/EU on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for consumer disputes, alongside amendments to Directives (EU) 2015/2302, (EU) 2019/2161, and (EU) 2020/1828, to modernise the ADR framework. The Proposal aims to extend the material and geographical scope of ADR to cover non-contractual and pre-contractual consumer rights, including disputes involving non-EU traders, and introduces a duty for traders to reply to ADR entities within 20 working days. It simplifies reporting obligations by reducing the frequency of ADR entity activity reports from annual to biennial and removing redundant information requirements for traders. The Proposal also designates ADR contact points, particularly within the European Consumer Centres Network, to assist with cross-border disputes and mandates the development of a digital interactive tool by the Commission to improve consumer access to ADR entities. The amendments align with the REFIT programme to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining consumer protection standards.