Lenders that have not met the requirement under the Privacy Act amendments to join an external dispute resolution scheme have been given a lifeline.Under the new comprehensive credit reporting regime included in the privacy law amendments taking effect on March 12, lenders and trade suppliers are required to join an EDR scheme approved by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner before they can access credit reports.Under a regulation issued this week, Privacy Amendment (External Dispute Resolution Scheme - Transitional) Regulation 2014, entities engaged in the provision of commercial credit and the retail sale of electricity, gas, water, sewerage or drainage services now have until March 12 next year to join an approved EDR scheme.