Alternative Dispute Resolution

Law No. 144/2015 of 8 September was published in the Official Gazette, transposing Directive 2013/11/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes, establishing the legal framework for extrajudicial consumer dispute resolution mechanisms and repealing Decree-Laws No. 146/99 of 4 May and No. 60/2011 of 6 May.

This Law creates obligations for companies and entities wishing to carry out extrajudicial consumer dispute resolution and also establishes a Consumer Arbitration Network.

It also determines that the Directorate-General for Consumer Affairs is the competent authority to oversee the functioning of those entities, establishing the principles and rules that must govern the operation of alternative consumer dispute resolution entities, and the legal framework for extrajudicial consumer dispute resolution entities in Portugal.

Companies that supply goods or provide services in Portugal are required as of 23/03/2016 to inform consumers about the arbitration centres they can use to resolve disputes.

We therefore inform you that in the event of a dispute, the consumer may have recourse to one of the ADR — Alternative Consumer Dispute Resolution entities, listed on the Consumer Portal (www.consumidor.gov.pt).