‘Withdrawal button in online stores undesirable’

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2023. 03. 15. 09:36

Seventeen European trade organizations have recently published an open letter to the European Union to express their disapproval of a new withdrawal button. This button allows consumers to undo a transaction after placing an order.

Last week, the European Union met to draft a directive which concerns financial service contracts concluded at a distance. In this meeting, the withdrawal button, which allows consumers to subsequently undo a transaction, was conceived. The proposal was then extended to all products and services sold online.

The trade associations are conducting a lobbying campaign over the next two weeks, the industry letter is a part of this campaign. “We want to ask to keep the whole purchase process as flexible as possible. Leave room for the entrepreneur to choose how they inform customers about the right of withdrawal. That is also more pleasant for consumers.”

“The European Commission is currently reviewing digital consumer law. It is examining whether it is still fit for purpose. In our opinion, it would be a more logical step to check whether there is a need for such a button. After all, the fitness check also includes an impact assessment and consultation.”

According to the letter, the associations would be interested in co-creating fit-for-purpose instruments with the EU to improve consumers’ understanding of the right of withdrawal.

EcommerceNews