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Digital Services Act

Find a DSA Article 13 Legal Representative in the EU

The Digital Services Act (EU) 2022/2065 requires digital service providers — platforms, marketplaces, social media, search engines — established outside the EU to designate an EU legal representative. This representative is the contact point for EU Digital Services Coordinators.

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Who needs a DSA Article 13 legal representative?

Any intermediary service provider — including online platforms, marketplaces, social networks, search engines, content-sharing platforms, and app stores — that meets all of the following:

  • Offers services to recipients in one or more EU member states
  • Is not established in any EU member state
  • Provides an “intermediary service” as defined in DSA (hosting, transmission, caching, or platform services)

DSA applies from 17 February 2024 to all intermediary services. Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) had earlier compliance deadlines. Failure to designate a representative is a DSA violation enforceable by Digital Services Coordinators.

What the DSA Article 13 legal representative does

  • Acts as formal contact point for EU Digital Services Coordinators and the European Commission
  • Receives regulatory notices, requests for information, and enforcement communications on behalf of the service provider
  • Designated in writing with sufficient mandate to cooperate with EU authorities
  • Contact details published prominently on the service provider’s website and in the Terms of Service
  • Can be held liable for non-compliance with DSA obligations by EU authorities in some circumstances
  • Notified to the Digital Services Coordinator of the member state of establishment

Documents and information typically required

  • Description of the digital service (type, number of EU monthly active recipients)
  • EU member states where the service is actively offered
  • Company registration documents of the service provider
  • Current Terms of Service and contact information pages
  • Any existing notifications to EU Digital Services Coordinators
  • Whether the service may qualify as a VLOP or VLOSE (100M+ monthly EU recipients)
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