Online Shops in Particular
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Online sales are a typical form of distance selling. This means that the above-mentioned distance selling regulations apply to online sales. The web pages of an online store always need to contain the required advance information regarding the seller, the main characteristics and the total price of the goods and the conditions, time limit and procedures for exercising the right of withdrawal, Online sales are a typical form of distance selling. This means that the above-mentioned distance selling regulations apply to online sales. The web pages of an online store always need to contain the required advance information regarding the seller, the main characteristics and the total price of the goods and the conditions, time limit and procedures for exercising the right of withdrawal, [Advance Information to Consumers].
In addition, the web pages must contain information on how personal information is processed and used and on the security of payments. The advance information and the withdrawal form must be made available to the consumer in a form suitable for the means of communication used. The information must be given in a clear and comprehensible manner. In addition to the requirements of the Consumer Protection Act, online traders must take into account the information obligations imposed by the Electronic Communications Services Act, see In addition, the web pages must contain information on how personal information is processed and used and on the security of payments. The advance information and the withdrawal form must be made available to the consumer in a form suitable for the means of communication used. The information must be given in a clear and comprehensible manner. In addition to the requirements of the Consumer Protection Act, online traders must take into account the information obligations imposed by the Electronic Communications Services Act, see [Obligation to Provide Information by the Information Society Service Provider].
Online stores must indicate clearly and legibly at the latest at the beginning of the ordering process whether any delivery restrictions apply and which means of payment are accepted. Right before the conclusion of a distance sales contract, the consumer must be provided with the information regarding the main characteristics of the goods, the total price including taxes and handling charges, the duration of the contract and the minimum duration of the consumer’s obligations under the contract. In practice, this can be done by displaying a summary page right before the consumer submits his/her order. The seller must also ensure that the consumer explicitly acknowledges that the order implies an obligation to pay and that additional charges may be payable.
If the contract is concluded on an online marketplace, the provider of the marketplace must provide the consumer with the following information before the contract is concluded in a clear, comprehensible and in a form suitable for the means of communication used:
If the consumer is given the possibility to search for consumer goods offered by different traders or private persons, the consumer must have access to information on the main variables determining the order of the goods presented to the consumer as a result of the search and on the relative importance of these main variables in relation to the other variables. This information shall be available directly from the search results page.
Information on whether the third party providing the consumer goods has declared itself to be a trader or another type of entity.
If the third party is not a trader, information that rights under consumer protection legislation do not apply and, where applicable, information on the division of contractual obligations between the third party offering the consumer good and the online marketplace provider.
For further information, please see the Checklist for e-Commerce. Instructions and guidance regarding online stores may also be found at the webpages of the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority.