The period for the trader to inform the ADR entity whether or not it intends to participate in the ADR procedure should be, in principle, no more than 20 working days. However, in the case of complex disputes or in exceptional circumstances, the ADR entity should be entitled to extend that period in order to give the trader the opportunity to analyse the dispute thoroughly and to decide whether to participate in the ADR procedure. In any case, the period should not exceed 30 working days. The consumer should be informed of the extension of that period, where applicable. If a trader fails to reply to the ADR entity within the prescribed period, that ADR entity should have the right to consider the trader’s failure to reply as a refusal to participate and close the case. The ADR entity should inform the consumer accordingly.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.
