Parliament agrees rules to settle consumer disputes out-of-court

The European Parliament has approved out-of-court systems for dealing with consumer complaints, in a drive to save some €22.5 billion by reducing the number of lengthy court actions.

Under the rules, EU countries will have to assemble dispute resolution bodies to deal with contractual disputes between consumers and traders, such as the sale of faulty products.

The agreement also covers disputes for products bought online and the creation of an information platform in all EU languages.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: ESO Information Guide: Consumer Policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-consumer-policy/

European Parliament: Press Release, 11.12.12: Deal on rapid redress for disappointed shoppers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bIM-PRESS%2b20121211IPR04517%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=EN

ESO: Background information: Press Release: Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution soon to become a reality for European consumers http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-alternative-and-online-dispute-resolution-soon-to-become-a-reality-for-european-consumers/

European Parliament: News, 11.03.13: Faster and more efficient help for disappointed shoppers http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/content/20130308STO06273/html/Faster-and-more-efficient-help-for-disappointed-shoppers

BBC, 13.03.13: EU backs rules for consumer disputes to curb costs http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21768180

---