kuluttajajuridiikassa

Kuluttajajuridiikka is the branch of law that studies and applies rules governing relations between consumers and traders in the market. It covers contracts for goods and services, warranties, refunds, consumer rights in distance and digital transactions, advertising and labeling, product safety, and consumer credit. It also deals with dispute resolution and remedies for breaches, particularly in cross-border transactions within the EU.

National law provides the framework, with the main instrument being the Consumer Protection Act (Kuluttajansuojalaki) and related legislation on contract terms, product liability, and advertising. EU directives implemented in Finland shape many rules, including consumer rights in digital markets and unfair contract terms.

Enforcement and dispute resolution are handled by authorities and bodies such as the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Kilpailu- ja kuluttajavirasto, KKV), which supervises and enforces consumer protection and competition rules, and the Kuluttajariitalautakunta (Consumer Disputes Board), which issues non-binding rulings in disputes between consumers and traders. Consumers may also pursue remedies through ordinary courts.

In practice, kuluttajajuridiikka intersects with economics, business, and policy. It concerns the fairness of contract terms, product safety standards, labeling and advertising, and the transparency of information in both traditional and online marketplaces. Research and policy discussions in this field focus on improving consumer protection while fostering legitimate business activity, with attention to cross-border transactions within the European Union.