Background & Purpose

The National Board for Consumer Disputes has seen a steady increase in cases, many of which are dismissed because applicants fail to complete their submissions. Because the service has been entirely free, authorities have spent resources on cases that are never formally reviewed.

Proposals & Debate

The government proposed amending the law on alternative dispute resolution in consumer matters to allow an application fee. While the governing parties and supporting factions backed the initiative, opposition parties such as the Social Democrats, the Green Party, and the Left Party voted against it.

The Decision

Parliament approved the government's proposal to introduce a fee for examining disputes at the National Board for Consumer Disputes.

Does this affect you?

  • Consumers filing disputes: Must pay a fee to have their complaints examined by the National Board for Consumer Disputes.
  • Businesses involved in consumer disputes: May experience a more streamlined handling process as fewer incomplete cases burden the authority.

In Practice

  • Consumers will need to pay a fee when submitting a new dispute to the National Board for Consumer Disputes.
  • The number of incomplete applications is expected to drop as applicants become more thorough.
  • The National Board for Consumer Disputes can focus its resources on cases that are actually reviewed.