ODR Information
Online Dispute Resolution - important updates about the European platform
The ODR platform has been closed
Closure date: July 20, 2025
Reason: Adoption of EU Regulation 2024/3228
What was the ODR platform?
ODR (Online Dispute Resolution) was the official European Union platform for online mediation of disputes between consumers and traders from different member states.
- Launched in 2016 for cross-border disputes
- Accessible at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr
- Free for EU consumers
- Available in all official EU languages
Why was it closed?
The European Commission decided to close the ODR platform after the adoption of EU Regulation 2024/3228, which modernizes the consumer protection legal framework.
Main reasons:
- Low platform usage, below expectations
- High maintenance costs
- Development of more efficient national alternatives
- Changes in consumer behavior
The new European platform
In place of the ODR platform, the European Commission launched Consumer Redress in the EU, an informational platform that directs consumers to national mediation bodies.
The new platform provides:
- A list of mediation entities in each EU country
- Contact information for each entity
- Consumer guidance
- Educational resources about consumer rights
For Romania: SAL continues to operate normally
SAL (Alternative Dispute Resolution) in Romania continues to operate normally and is available for national and cross-border disputes.
Advantages of SAL Romania:
- Free for consumers
- Maximum term: 90 days
- Simplified online procedure
- Specialized advisers
- Mutually beneficial solutions
How to access SAL:
- Create an account on the ANPC platform
- Submit the request online
- Include the relevant documents
- Wait for the trader notification
- Participate in online mediation
Why do we still display the icons?
Under ANPC Order 449/2022, Romanian traders are required to display the SAL and SOL/ODR icons on their websites.
Current legal obligations:
- Order 449/2022 has not yet been updated
- The icons remain mandatory until a new regulation is issued
- Mandatory dimensions: 250x50 pixels
- Placement on the homepage or in the footer
- Links to the official platforms
Our recommendation:
We display the icons for legal compliance while providing transparent information about the current situation through this explanatory page.
Additional information
For questions about consumer rights or mediation procedures, contact ANPC directly or consult the official resources.
ANPC Romania
- Consumer phone line: 021 9551
- Official website: anpc.ro
- SAL email: dsal@anpc.ro
Useful resources
- Complaint filing guide
- EU consumer rights
- Authorized trader verification