European Union: European Parliament and European Council adopted Regulation (EU) No. 524/2013 on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes

On 21 May 2013, the European Parliament and European Council adopted Regulation (EU) No. 524/2013 on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes. The Regulation seeks to establish an European Union (EU)-wide online dispute resolution (ODR) platform for consumer disputes arising from online purchases. The platform would be free, multilingual, and accessible to all EU consumers and traders, enabling them to submit complaints electronically and connect with national alternative dispute resolution (ADR) bodies. Each EU country must designate an ODR contact point to support the process, which aims to resolve disputes within 90 days.