Compared to court proceedings, the Commission can resolve the problem much more easily and conveniently, and it requires less time and money. Settlement of a dispute in the Consumer Disputes Committee is free of charge for the consumer and the trader, and the result can generally be reached within 90 days of the processing of the statement.
Competences and subjects of the Committee
Komisjoni pädevuses on lahendada ainult tarbija ja kaupleja vahelisi lepingust tulenevaid vaidlusi nii, riigisiseseid kui ka piiriüleseid.
The Commission is only competent to settle contractual disputes between consumers and traders, both domestic and cross-border ones.
It is not possible to have a dispute in the Committee if the law provides for a different body or procedure for resolving a dispute. For example, the Consumer Disputes Committee does not settle employment and rent disputes, disputes arising in bankruptcy proceedings, and many other disputes provided for in a special law (healthcare service, medical services, education services, etc.).
Disputes that fall outside the competence of the Committee shall be resolved in a county court or other competent institution.
Working principles
-
Equal treatment of parties and impartiality in consumer disputes. The Consumer Disputes Committee and the Secretariat preparing the proceedings shall hear the case impartially and independently. The members of the Consumer Disputes Committee shall not advise the parties on whether and how to proceed in the proceedings.
-
In the course of the dispute, both parties will be heard – both the consumer and the trader will have the opportunity to present their opinions and evidences. The allegations made by each party and the evidences presented shall be given equal weight in making the decision. The parties must prove their allegations, i.e. provide the relevant evidences. In order to find a simpler and quicker solution to the dispute, it is advisable to find a compromise or other agreement that satisfies the parties
- Protection of data submitted in proceedings. The data and documents collected in the course of the proceedings shall be confidential and shall not be passed on to third parties. The consumer and the trader have the right to receive all information concerning the proceedings. Therefore, when resolving a consumer dispute, you must take into account that the documents and data submitted by one party will also be passed on to the other party and the members of the Committee. The decision of the Committee shall be published on the website of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority, but the name of the consumer will not be used. The trader's details specified in the decision shall be public. Procedural documents shall not be disclosed to unrelated parties, but the content of the decision without personal data shall be public.
Composition of the Committee
The Committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Committee having impartial and independent legal knowledge who is appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, who is not an employee of the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority. In addition to the representative of the organization representing the interests of the consumer and the representative of the company, the representative of the respective business association shall be included in the Committee.
Committee Chairs:
| Kai Amos | Maria Alajõe |
| Alar Urm | Margus Kingisepp |
| Aase Sammelselg | Tõnis Kõiv |
| Enn Tonka | Mare Merimaa |
| Jüri Aava | Mihkel Kivisalu |
| Edith Sassian | Piia Kalamees |
