Shutdown of the EU Online Dispute Resolution Platform – What Website and Shop Owners Need to Do Now

For years, the notice about the EU dispute resolution platform was a fixed part of many legal notices (Impressum). But that is about to end: the EU’s Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform will be permanently shut down on July 20, 2025. What this means for you, why you should act now and how to stay legally safe – you will learn here in our latest blog post.

Why does this affect me?

If you run a website or an online shop, you were previously obliged under EU law, as a business owner, to link to the so-called ODR platform. This platform was meant to give consumers the chance to settle disputes with online retailers out of court.

But: the platform was hardly used – and so it is now being shut down for good.

The most important deadlines at a glance

From July 21, 2025, every link to the ODR platform is a potential legal pitfall, since it leads nowhere.

What happens if I don’t remove the link?

An outdated link to a platform that is no longer reachable can be considered anti-competitive and misleading – and thus subject to a cease-and-desist letter (Abmahnung). That means: anyone who doesn’t update their legal notice risks paid warning letters from competitors or consumer associations.

What do I need to do now?

1. Update your legal notice (Impressum)

Remove the notice text and the link to the ODR platform. It typically looks like this or similar:

“The European Commission provides a platform for online dispute resolution (ODR), which you can find here: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr”

Please delete this text and the link completely.

2. Also check terms and conditions, emails and footer

The notice may also be in other places – e.g. in:

• the general terms and conditions (AGB)
• the email signature
• the website footer

The same applies here: all links to the ODR platform must be removed.

3. The notice on dispute resolution under German law remains

Regardless of the EU platform, as a business owner you are still obliged, under § 36 VSBG (German Consumer Dispute Resolution Act), to state whether you are willing or obliged to take part in a dispute resolution procedure before a consumer arbitration board.

An example of a correct notice:

“We are neither obliged nor willing to take part in a dispute resolution procedure before a consumer arbitration board.”

Or – if you want to take part:

“The competent consumer arbitration board is: [name, address, website]. We are willing to take part in a dispute resolution procedure before this board.”

Overview: consumer arbitration boards in Germany (as of 2025)

Notes on use

• For businesses, taking part in an arbitration procedure is voluntary, unless they have committed to it (e.g. through general terms and conditions or association membership).
• Costs: For consumers, arbitration procedures are generally free of charge.
• Duration: Procedures usually take 2–3 months.

Caution with old cease-and-desist declarations

If you have in the past signed a cease-and-desist declaration (Unterlassungserklärung) because of a missing ODR link, the situation can be more complicated. Such declarations remain in force regardless of the platform’s shutdown – and may have to be adjusted or lifted by a court.

If in doubt: get legal advice!

Need support?

At realmaker we are happy to help:

• We review your legal notice and your legal texts.
• We remove or update unlawful content.
• We adapt your website to current legal requirements.

Get in touch – we are here for you before it gets expensive!

Conclusion: check your legal notice now – avoid warning letters!

The shutdown of the ODR platform means action is required for all website and shop owners.
Get your legal notice ready for summer 2025 and protect yourself legally now!

Legal notice

The information above on consumer arbitration boards in Germany was compiled with the greatest care. Nevertheless, we accept no liability for the completeness, accuracy or currency of the information. Legal bases, responsibilities and contact details can change at any time.

If in doubt, please inform yourself directly with the competent body or seek legal advice.