MKIK: SMEs can also turn to conciliation bodies from January

They explained that, according to the amendment to the Consumer Protection Act, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises can turn to the conciliation bodies as end users in a quasi-consumer capacity when purchasing a product or using a service from January 1, 2026. Thus, legal disputes can be resolved in a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective way for SMEs than in court.

This change makes the conciliation board procedure more efficient, as it reduces the number of cases where the lack of a response from the enterprise prevents a successful agreement. The longer deadline will give smaller businesses without their own legal departments more time to develop their substantive position, while in more complex cases there will be more time to prepare and submit a response.

The amendments will enter into force on January 1, 2026.