{"id":11425,"date":"2025-09-13T11:32:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T08:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/startadr.org\/?p=11425"},"modified":"2025-09-13T11:37:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T08:37:38","slug":"ods-facilitator-ena-neo-epangelma-sto-plaisio-tou-digital-services-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/startadr.org\/en\/ods-facilitator-ena-neo-epangelma-sto-plaisio-tou-digital-services-act\/","title":{"rendered":"ODS Facilitator: A new profession under the Digital Services Act"},"content":{"rendered":"

The enactment of Regulation (EU) 2022\/2065 on Digital Services (Digital Services Act \u2013 DSA)<\/strong> marks a new era for alternative dispute resolution in the European Union. The Regulation, which will be fully applicable from February 2024, introduces, among other innovations, an essential tool for strengthening trust in the digital market. It is the institution of out-of-court dispute resolution between users and platform providers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, a new professional role emerges, that of the ODS Facilitator<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The institutional framework of the DSA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DSA (especially the articles 20 and 21<\/strong>) provides that providers of very large online platforms (VLOPs) and other online intermediaries must ensure that users have the right to have recourse to certified out-of-court dispute resolution bodies<\/strong>These bodies operate with independence, impartiality and competence<\/strong> and have the authority to examine disputes arising in particular from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decisions for content removal<\/strong> or account suspension<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access restrictions<\/strong> in services,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disputes related to the application of terms of use<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process must be easily accessible, fast and affordable<\/strong>, so that it constitutes a real alternative to legal action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this new institutional environment, the need for specialized professionals<\/strong> that will facilitate these processes is obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of the ODS Facilitator<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE ODS Facilitator<\/strong> is the legal professional who has the necessary knowledge to take on the crucial role of facilitating ODS processes. This is a role that combines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legal competence<\/strong>
Understanding of the European and national framework, with emphasis on the provisions of the DSA and the operation of the platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mediation skills<\/strong>
Use of neutrality, de-escalation and dialogue support techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technological understanding<\/strong>
Familiarity with digital platforms and new ODR\/ODS tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International orientation<\/strong>
Ability to operate in a cross-border environment, where cases often involve different Member States and multiple legal orders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, the ODS Facilitator is the new digital justice professional<\/strong>, bridging law with technology and enhancing the credibility of ADR mechanisms at a pan-European level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contribution of startADR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

startADR, as certified ADR body in Europe<\/strong> and pioneer in the field of online dispute resolution, undertakes to train the first generation ODS Facilitators<\/strong> in Greece and internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The training includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n