Consumer Rights Directive Effective 13/06/14

The EU consumer rights directive EC 2011/83 dated 20.10.2011 becomes directly applicable national law from the 13th of June onwards. EU countries that implemented the directive by local acts must apply those laws by that date.In the UK the "Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013" comes into force. In Germany the "Gesetz zur Umsetzung der Verbraucherrechterichtlinie" dated 27/09/13 transposes the EU directive into German law.
The directive addresses business conducted between a trader and a consumer (b2c).
Most importantly the directive aims to eliminate hidden charges and costs on the internet, increase price transparency, ban pre-ticked boxes on websites, grant consumer 14 days to change his mind on a purchase, give better refund rights, introduce an EU wide model withdrawal form, eliminate surcharges for the use of credit cards and hotlines, provide clearer information on who pays for returning goods, provide better consumer protections in relation to digital products, set common rules for businesses to make it easier for them to trade all over Europe.