Finnish online stores must offer clear cancellation option from June 19

Finnish online retailers will be legally required to provide customers with a straightforward cancellation function starting June 19, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) announced Tuesday.

The change, derived from an EU directive now integrated into national consumer protection law, mandates that cancelling an order must be as simple as placing it. Consumers will see clearly visible cancellation buttons or links in online stores, ensuring the 14-day statutory right of withdrawal can be exercised without unnecessary obstacles.

“When ordering goods or services online, the same platform must offer an easily accessible cancellation function—practically a button—allowing effortless cancellation,” said consumer ombudsman Katri Väänänen in the KKV statement.

The new requirement applies to all online purchases, including financial service agreements where consumers hold a right of withdrawal. While traditional cancellation methods (such as email or forms) remain valid, the digital function must now be prominently displayed. Retailers must also confirm receipt of cancellations to customers.

The KKV emphasized that the rule aims to prevent deceptive interface designs where cancellation options are hidden or made deliberately cumbersome. Väänänen noted that cancellation—and similarly, contract termination—must never be more difficult for consumers than the original purchase process.