Peruutusoikeuden

Peruutusoikeuden, a Finnish term, translates to "right of withdrawal" or "cooling-off period" in English. It refers to a legal right granted to consumers in certain situations, primarily in distance selling and off-premises contracts. This right allows consumers to cancel a purchase or contract within a specified timeframe without needing to provide a reason and often without incurring penalties.

The duration of the peruutusoikeuden is typically 14 days, commencing from the date the consumer receives the goods or the contract is concluded. During this period, consumers can examine the purchased item as they would in a physical store. If they decide to cancel, they must notify the seller clearly and within the deadline. The seller is then obligated to refund any payments received from the consumer, including initial delivery costs, within 14 days of being notified of the cancellation.

However, the right of withdrawal does not apply to all types of contracts. Certain exceptions exist, such as for customized goods, perishable items, sealed audio or video recordings, and digital content if the consumer has begun to download or stream it. The consumer is generally responsible for returning the goods at their own expense unless the seller has failed to inform them about this responsibility. Specific regulations govern the condition of the returned goods, often requiring them to be in substantially the same condition as when received.