The Online Dispute Resolution platform has been shut down – what website owners now urgently need to bear in mind
For a long time, linking was mandatory—then it quietly disappeared: Since July 20, 2025, the EU platform for online dispute resolution (ODR Plattform) has been permanently offline. This puts an end to important information requirements—but new legal risks arise. Companies should act now to avoid warnings.
Why did the platform exist in the first place? And why was it abolished again?
The European ODR platform was launched in 2016 with the aim of creating a central, digital point of contact for consumers and businesses. It was intended to resolve disputes relating to online purchases out of court and without bureaucracy. Consumers could submit complaints via a web form, which were then forwarded to one of the arbitration bodies recognized throughout Europe.
In fact, although the platform was accessed millions of times a year, only a few consumers used it to submit complaints. Even fewer businesses agreed to participate in proceedings. As a result, barely more than 200 cases per year were actually referred to an arbitration body across Europe.
The EU has therefore decided to permanently shut down the platform on July 20, 2025. It has been inaccessible since then. At the same time, the underlying Regulation (EU) No. 524/2013 was repealed.
What applied previously – and why this became a warning trap for many
The OS platform imposed certain information requirements on online retailers. Among other things, they had to place a link to the platform in a clearly visible position on their website, provide their email address and, in some cases, include additional information in their terms and conditions or emails.
These requirements applied regardless of whether a company was actually prepared to participate in a dispute resolution procedure. Failure to comply could therefore be anti-competitive, with the result that numerous companies were warned for missing or incomplete information.
Many subsequently issued cease-and-desist declarations under competition law, in which they undertook to provide the relevant information correctly. It is precisely these obligations that can now become a stumbling block following the shutdown of the platform.
Now risky: Outdated links and references to the no longer existing platform
The ODR platform has been unavailable since July 20, 2025. Nevertheless, many websites still contain references or links to it—often out of sheer negligence.
But this is precisely what could now become a problem: such a reference to a deactivated platform is legally problematic. This is because it can mislead consumers and be considered misleading within the meaning of the Unfair Competition Act (UCA). This once again opens the floodgates for warnings.
It is particularly dangerous for companies that have issued a cease-and-desist declaration in the past. The cease-and-desist declarations refer to the time when the reference to the ODR platform was still mandatory. Many did not comply with the information requirements, either in whole or in part, and were therefore issued with warnings. To avoid legal proceedings, many companies issued a cease-and-desist declaration. In it, they undertook to provide the information correctly in future, often under threat of a contractual penalty in the event of a breach.
This remains binding even after a change in the law, unless it has been actively terminated or amended. Anyone who removes the notices without taking the correct legal steps may also leave themselves open to attack—this time for breach of a contractual obligation.
What online businesses should do now
With the shutdown of the ODR platform, certain information requirements have been eliminated, which is initially a relief for many companies. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a thorough look at your own website and legal texts—because not all regulations have disappeared. In particular, the German Consumer Dispute Resolution Act remains in force and stipulates that companies must disclose whether they are willing or obliged to participate in arbitration proceedings.
In this context, it is advisable to check the legal notice, terms and conditions, and email templates to see whether they still contain references to the former ODR platform. Such outdated information can not only cause confusion, but may also have legal consequences under certain circumstances. If you are unsure whether existing wording is still necessary or legally correct, you should have it checked by a professional—especially if a cease-and-desist declaration has already been issued in the past.
Technical and organizational issues may also be relevant now. If disputes have been handled via the ODR platform in the past, it is advisable to back up the relevant data in good time before it is deleted.
Even though the ODR platform is now history, legal information requirements remain important for companies. Careful adaptation of the website and legal texts protects against warnings and builds trust among customers. Now is the perfect time to update your online presence and ensure it is legally compliant.