Directive 2011/83/EU of 25 October 2011 on consumer
rights (the "Directive") and the Fern-
und Auswärtsgeschäfte-Gesetz (the
"FAGG") impose many information
obligations on traders before the consumer is bound by a distance
or off-premises contract, or any corresponding offer. Among other
things, the trader must inform the consumer where the right of
withdrawal exists, the conditions, time limit and procedures for
exercising that right, including a model withdrawal form.
However, if the contract is concluded remotely in a manner only
allowing for "limited space" or "limited time"
to display the information, the trader must comply only with a
limited set of information requirements, such as the main
characteristics of the goods or services, the identity of the
trader, the total price, the right of withdrawal, the duration of
the contract and, if the contract is of indefinite duration, the
conditions for terminating the contract. The trader shall provide
the other information to the consumer in an appropriate way, for
instance via a link to its webpage.
Neither the Directive nor FAGG define "limited space" or "limited time". In January 2019, the Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") provided guidance on the meaning of "limited space" (C-430/17).
1. Background of the case
A German company (the "Company") distributed a six-page (each 19 x 23.7 cm) advertising leaflet inserted in various newspapers and magazines. The leaflet contained a purchase order in the form of a detachable mail order coupon. On the front and back of the mail order the Company printed the information on the right of withdrawal and its telephone number, fax number, internet address and postal address. However, the conditions, time limit and procedure for exercising the withdrawal right as well as the model withdrawal form could only be found on the website and not on the mail order coupon, and therefore an association in Germany, whose mission is to combat unfair trade practices, has filed a petition.
The Company defended itself by citing a regulation under which it was only obliged to provide the so-called minimum requirements because of limited space. According to the Directive, this was the "right of withdrawal" and not more. This case was brought before the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof), Germany's highest court, which decided to seek guidance from the CJEU on the exact meaning of "limited space" and on the scope of the obligation to provide information on the right of withdrawal within the Directive.
2. Outcome
The outcome is both good and bad news for traders:
- The assessment of whether, in a
specific case, the means of communication allows "limited
space" or "limited time" to display the information
must be determined on the specific means of distance communication
and not on the choices made by the trader regarding the development
and use of that space and time;
- If the contract is concluded through a means of distance communication which allows limited space or time to display the information, the trader is still obliged to provide not only the right of withdrawal but also the conditions, time limit and procedure for exercising that right. However, the trader is not obliged to also provide the model withdrawal form.
The decision brings clarity to the extent that the CJEU has
confirmed that the assessment of whether limited space or limited
time is available to present the information is measured against
objective criteria. In practice, companies must take into account
that the trader must also inform the consumer in such cases about
the conditions, time limit and procedures for exercising the right
of withdrawal.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.