Inhalte
- ODR Platform Will Be Permanently Shut Down on July 20, 2025
- Obligation to Refer to the ODR Platform Until July 2025
- Shutdown of the ODR Platform: What Applies from July 20, 2025
- ADR Reform Planned – Information Obligation under § 36 VSBG Remains
- Conclusion: Adjust References Specifically and Check Obligations
ODR Platform Will Be Permanently Shut Down on July 20, 2025
The European platform for online dispute resolution (ODR platform) will be permanently shut down on July 20, 2025. Until and including July 19, 2025, the platform can still be used – after that, it will be discontinued.
Obligation to Refer to the ODR Platform Until July 2025
Even though the ODR platform is being discontinued, references to it must not be removed prematurely before July 20, 2025 – for example, from the general terms and conditions (GTC), the legal notice, or email signatures. Anyone who removes the reference too early risks receiving warning notices for violating applicable information obligations.
Shutdown of the ODR Platform: What Applies from July 20, 2025
With the shutdown date, the obligation – and the possibility – to link to the ODR platform also ceases. Any remaining reference would then be misleading, as consumers would be directed to a platform that no longer exists. This can also be subject to warning notices.
References must therefore be deleted from July 20, 2025, in particular from:
- GTC
- Legal notice
- Email signatures
- Website footers or corresponding information areas
ADR Reform Planned – Information Obligation under § 36 VSBG Remains
In parallel with the discontinuation of the ODR platform, the EU is planning a reform of the ADR Directive (Alternative Dispute Resolution). The aim is to modernize out-of-court dispute resolution and strengthen consumer rights. Concrete action is not yet required – the implementation plans are still at an early stage and may only be transposed into national law after a longer implementation period.
The Consumer Dispute Resolution Act (VSBG) is the German implementation of the ADR Directive. It regulates, in particular, the requirements and procedures for alternative dispute resolution in Germany as well as the information obligations of companies.
Regardless of the discontinuation of the ODR platform, the information obligation under § 36 of the Consumer Dispute Resolution Act (VSBG) remains in place. It applies to:
- Entrepreneurs with more than 10 employees
- With a branch in Germany
- Who conclude B2C contracts
- And use a website or GTC
If there is no participation in dispute resolution proceedings, the reference can, for example, still read as follows: “We are neither willing nor obliged to participate in a dispute resolution procedure before a consumer arbitration board.”
This obligation applies regardless of the existence of the ODR platform – and will remain in force until further notice.
Conclusion: Adjust References Specifically and Check Obligations
Companies should only remove the reference to the ODR platform from July 20, 2025, but then do so consistently in all places. Other information obligations – for example under the VSBG – remain in place and should be checked regularly, especially with regard to the planned reform of the ADR Directive.
