OUT-OF-COURT RESOLUTION OF CONSUMER DISPUTES UNDER THE EUROPEAN UNION LAW

Abstract

The subject of the article is an analysis of out-of-court methods of resolving consumer disputes in European Union law. They constitute a procedural guarantee of the implementation of consumers’ right to a high level of protection, guaranteed in Art. 38 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The article describes Directive 2013/11/EU on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes. The principles of its implementation in European Union countries are also presented. Also addressed by the analysis is the latest proposal to amend the ADR Directive presented by the European Commission. According to the author, Directive 2013/11/EU has fulfilled its role as the foundation of the consumer rights protection system in the European Union. However, with the development of services on the internet, consumers are exposed to new threats. The proposal to modify the ADR Directive presented by the European Commission is a step aimed at increasing the level of consumer protection.