Köplagen

Köplagen, or the Sale of Goods Act, is a Swedish statute that governs contracts for the sale of goods. It forms part of Sweden’s civil law on commercial transactions and applies to sales of movable property conducted by a business seller. In consumer purchases, additional protections are provided by Konsumentköplagen, but Köplagen still governs many commercial sales and can apply when consumer-specific rules are not applicable.

A central aim of Köplagen is to ensure that goods delivered under a contract conform to the agreement and are free from substantial defects. The seller is obligated to deliver goods in accordance with the contract and applicable specifications, and to transfer risk of loss to the buyer upon delivery or when the goods are handed over to the carrier for transport. If the goods do not conform, the buyer may require remediation by repair or replacement, a reduction in price, or rescission of the contract. If defects are not cured within a reasonable time, or are material, the buyer may pursue cancellation or damages for breach of contract. The buyer must inspect the goods promptly and notify defects within a reasonable period.

The act also addresses time of delivery, assessment of conformity, and the remedies that follow from breach. Disputes are typically resolved in ordinary courts or through arbitration, and parties may modify or supplement the rules through contract, provided such modifications comply with mandatory law. Köplagen thus provides a framework for predictability in commercial sales while interacting with consumer protection statutes where applicable.