At the plenary session on Wednesday 13 March, MEPs approved the draft report by Laura Ballarin Cereza (S&D, Spanish) on the alternative dispute resolution of consumer disputes.
The Commission presented its proposal for modernisation last October (see EUROPE 13273/6) with the aim of “adapting these alternative methods of recourse to the courts to the digital age and speeding up procedures by simplifying them”.
The scope of application will be extended to all aspects of European consumer law, covering a wider range of disputes: misleading advertising, manipulative interfaces, geo-blocking problems, and roaming charges.
One of the most important changes introduced by Parliament is the inclusion of airlines in the Regulation. In the event of flight cancellations, European consumers will have more means of asserting their right to compensation or reimbursement.
“When we want to claim damages and interest from a company, including airlines, we will now have more tools before we go to court. With more information and control, we can guarantee citizens’ rights”, said the rapporteur after the vote.
It will now be up to Parliament, following the European elections in June, to follow up this legislative dossier. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)