EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations correct minor errors made by the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1392) and introduces one provision which implements a provision of Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on online dispute resolution for consumer disputes and amending Regulation (EC) 200/2004 and Directive 2009/22/EC (OJ L 165 18.6.2013, p.1) (the “ODR Regulation”) which requires specific transposition into domestic law in order to make the obligation it contains enforceable.

Regulations 2 to 6 make amendments to four acts and one statutory instrument to omit the definition of “ADR official” as the definition is redundant.

Regulation 7(2) and (4) introduces a new provision into the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/542) (the “ADR Regulations”) to provide that a competent authority and an ADR applicant and ADR entity must provide a link to the ODR platform on its website.

Regulation 7(3) corrects a cross-reference in regulation 15(1)(b) of the ADR Regulations.

A transposition note setting out how the ADR Regulations as amended by this instrument transposes those requirements of the ODR Regulation which require specific transposition is available on www.gov.uk/government/publications.