Critical analysis of the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform

Abstract

An essential condition for the single digital market to function in the European Union is incentivizing cross-border electronic commerce while, at the same time, providing the maximum possible protection for companies and particularly European citizens, who are the most vulnerable party in this type of transactions and, therefore, require greater protection and security. For this reason, as part of its strategy to achieve this goal, the European Commission created the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform. In view of the significance of this initiative, not only at a regional level but for the world in general, this article conducts a critical analysis of the platform throughout its first few years in operation in order to determine its strengths and opportunities for improvement, thereby enabling us to identify where it should focus its efforts to fulfil its mission completely and effectively.

Keywords

• european platform
• electronic commerce
• odr
• dispute resolution