These Alternative Dispute Resolution measures introduced systems for consumers and businesses to resolve disputes without going to court by involving neutral third parties e.g. Ombudsmen or Consumer Complaints Boards. The third party can impose a decision or mediate a compromise. 

Why it's important

This is valuable because in a recent survey 48% of EU consumers said they would not go to court individually for harm valued at less than €200 and 8% would not go regardless of the value.

For consumers, that means:

• Not going to court saving costs associated to resolve disputes with businesses  
• Coverage across the EU  
• Access to the Online Dispute Resolution Platform to help consumers and businesses solve disputes from cross-border online purchases.  

What BEUC did

This represented one of our strongest battles in making sure rights make it off the paper they are written on and become effective defences for consumers.