Peruutusajan

Peruutusajan (cancellation period) is a concept in consumer law that describes the period during which a consumer may cancel a contract with a trader without giving a reason and without incurring penalty. It is central to distance selling and off-premises contracts, such as online purchases, mail-order transactions, or a trader delivering services at the consumer’s location.

In the European Union and Finland, the standard cooling-off period is commonly 14 days. The countdown starts when the consumer receives the goods, or when the contract is concluded for services, or when the service delivery begins with the consumer’s explicit consent. If the trader has not provided the required information about the right to withdraw, the period may be extended in some cases.

To exercise the right, the consumer must notify the trader of the decision to withdraw within the peruutusajan, typically in writing or by another durable medium. After withdrawal, the contract is considered void, and the trader must reimburse all payments, including standard delivery costs, within a set period (usually 14 days). The consumer may be responsible for the costs of returning the goods unless the trader has agreed to cover them or failed to inform about those costs.

Certain products and contract types are excluded from the right of withdrawal. Common exclusions include customized or perishable items, sealed goods that have been opened for hygiene or health reasons, and services that have already been fully performed with the consumer’s consent before the end of the period.