kuluttajasuojalaki

Kuluttajansuojalaki is the Finnish act that governs consumer protection in dealings between consumers and traders. The law aims to ensure fair terms, adequate information, safety, and remedies in consumer transactions, and it aligns Finnish practice with European Union consumer protection rules. It applies to contracts concluded by consumers with traders in Finland, covering the sale of goods, the provision of services, and contracts concluded at a distance or away from a trader’s usual place of business.

Key provisions address trader obligations and consumer rights. Traders must provide clear pre-contract information, including the main characteristics of goods or services, the total price (including taxes and delivery charges), delivery terms, and the conditions for cancellation. The law forbids unfair contract terms and sets standards for product safety. It also outlines remedies for defective goods or substandard services, such as repair, replacement, price reduction, or contract termination. In many distance and off-premises contracts, it provides a cooling-off period during which the consumer may withdraw from the contract.

The act also covers information duties and consumer rights related to digital content and other services, as applicable. Enforcement is carried out by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Kilpailu- ja kuluttajavirasto, KKV). Disputes between consumers and traders can be brought to the Consumer Disputes Board (Kuluttajariitalautakunta), whose opinions guide the parties; unresolved matters may be taken to court.

Kuluttajansuojalaki is periodically amended to reflect EU directives and evolving market practices, maintaining its central role in Finnish consumer protection policy.