In order to be able to offer customers a great and uncomplicated shopping experience in online trading, not only the unique design of a web shop must be taken into account, but also the coordination of the online business with the necessary legal requirements.
With the new consumer directive, numerous changes were introduced for online business, ranging from a stricter obligation to provide information to the double opt-in procedure for newsletters.
In order to ensure that your web shop conforms to the law, Körbler GmbH will provide information on the most important changes in consumer law and will be happy to support you in adapting your online business.
1. Information obligation
With the new consumer directive, there is now a stricter obligation to provide information, so that not only data about the operator itself must be available to customers, but also important information about the goods or services.
The obligation to provide information provides for the name of the operator, including address and contact details, to be given in the imprint of the web shop, as well as a data protection declaration. In addition, essential properties of the goods/services and information about costs, statutory warranty rights, guarantees and about delivery, payment and termination conditions must be provided in a transparent manner.
2. Right of withdrawal
The extended right of withdrawal allows a consumer to withdraw within a period of 14 days. However, if the latter is not properly informed about his right of withdrawal, the period is extended to 1 year plus 14 days. It is advisable to use a checkbox to obtain confirmation from the consumer regarding clarification of the right of withdrawal.
In addition, the operator of the online shop must provide the consumer with a withdrawal form. After a revocation, the consumer has to bear the costs for the return shipment insofar as he has been informed about this obligation. Exceptions to the right of withdrawal relate to perishable or sealed goods and digital content.
3. Additional Services
The new consumer directive is also intended to protect the consumer from hidden additional costs, which is why additional services (e.g. cancellation insurance) require the consumer's express consent. As the operator of a web shop, it is therefore advisable to have additional services accepted via checkbox.
4. Newsletter double opt-in
If a customer wants to sign up and register for the newsletter, an online retailer should definitely use the double opt-in procedure. This means that the registered customer must confirm his registration again via an e-mail sent to him in order to be able to prevent the intentional specification of an incorrect e-mail address and an unsolicited message associated with it.
5. Other Changes
Additional provisions of the new consumer law relate to the design of the order button and to guarantee services and the necessary guarantee declaration.
The order button must expressly draw the consumer's attention to the fact that the order is associated with a financial connection. The button should therefore be provided with words such as "Order with obligation to pay" or similar information and also only be placed once on the final order page, directly after the mandatory information.
The guarantee conditions must be made available to the consumer in a comprehensible manner and directly with the item description before a contractual declaration is made. A link that leads to a subpage and informs the consumer there about the guarantee would also be sufficient. After the conclusion of the contract, the entrepreneur is also obliged to send the guarantee conditions to the consumer with the confirmation of the contract.
If you have any further questions regarding the legally compliant design of your online shop, Koerbler GmbH at your disposal and will also carry out the necessary adjustments for you.