NoC308/18 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
AmendedproposalforaCouncilDirectiveontheprotectionofconsumersinrespectof
contractsnegotiatedatadistance(distanceselling)(x)
(93/C308/02)
COM(93)396final—SYN411
(SubmittedbytheCommissionpursuanttoArticle149(3)oftheECCTreatyon
7October1993)
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEAN COIMMUNITIES ,
HavingregardtotheTreatyestablishingtheEuropean
EconomicCommunity ,andinparticularArticle100a
thereof,
HavingregardtotheproposalfromtheCommission ,
IncooperationwiththeEuropeanParliament,
HavingregardtotheopinionoftheEconomicandSocial
Committee,HavingregardtotheopinionoftheEconomicandSocial
Committee (2),
1.Whereasmeasuresmustbetakenforthegradual
establishment oftheinternalmarketby
31December1992;whereastheinternalmarketis
tobeanareawithoutinternalfrontierswithinwhich
thefreemovementofgoods,persons,servicesand
capitalisassured;1.Whereasmeasuresmustbetakenforthegradual
establishment andconsolidation oftheinternal
market;whereastheinternalmarketistobeanarea
withoutinternalfrontierswithinwhichthefree
movementofgoods,persons,servicesandcapitalis
assured;
2.Whereascross-frontierdistancesellingcouldbeone
ofthemaintangibleresultsofthecompletionofthe
internalmarketforconsumers,asnotedinteraliain
thecommunication fromtheCommission entitled
'TowardsaSingleMarketindistribution'(2);2.Whereasthefreemovementofgoodsandservices
affectsnotonlythebusinesssectorbutalsoprivate
individuals;whereasitimpliesthatconsumers
shouldbeabletohaveaccesstotheaccessgoods
andservicesofaMemberStateonthesametermsas
thelocalpopulation;
3.Whereascross-frontier distancesellingcouldbe
oneofthemaintangibleresultsofthecompletion
oftheinternalmarketfortheconsumers,as
notedinteraliainthecommunication fromthe
Commissionentitled'TowardsaSingleMarket
indistribution'(3);whereasitisindispensable for
theproperfunctioningoftheSingleMarketthat
consumersshouldbeabletoapplytoabusiness
outsidetheircountry,evenifithasabranchinthe
consumer'scountryofresidence;
4.Whereasthedevelopmentofnewtechnologies is
multiplyingthemeansavailabletoconsumersto3.Whereasthedevelopmentofnewtechnologies is
multiplyingthemeansavailabletoconsumersto
(')OJNoC156,23.6.1992,p.14.
i1)DocumentCOM(91)41,11.3.1991(2)OJNoC19,25.1.1993.
(3)DocumentCOM(91)41,11.3.1991

15.11.93 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC308/19
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
haveknowledgeoftheoffersbeingmadeeverywhere
intheCommunityandforplacingorders;whereas
thereisaneedtointroduceaminimumsetofhaveknowledgeoftheoffersbeingmadeeverywhere
intheCommunityandforplacingorders;whereas
thereisaneedtointroduceaminimumsetof
commonrules,beforeaMemberStatetakes
differentordivergingmeasurestoprotect
consumers,withnegativerepercussions on
competition betweenbusinessesintheSingle
Market;commonrules,beforeeachMemberStatetakes
differentordivergingmeasurestoprotect
consumers,withnegativerepercussions on
competitionbetweenbusinessesintheSingle
Market;whereasCommunitymeasuresareneeded
inthisfield;
4.Whereasparagraphs18and19oftheAnnextothe5.Unchanged .
CouncilResolutionof14April1975ona
preliminaryprogrammeoftheEuropeanEconomic
Community foraconsumerprotectionand
informationpolicy(*)pointtotheneedtoprotect
thepurchasersofgoodsorservicesagainstdemands
forpaymentforunsolicitedgoodsandagainst
high-pressure sellingmethods;
5.Whereasthecommunication fromtheCommission 6.Unchanged ,
totheCouncilentitled'Anewimpetusforconsumer
protectionpolicy'andapprovedbytheCouncil
Resolutionof23June1986(2)statesin
paragraph33thattheCommission willpresent
proposalsregardingtheuseofnewinformation
technologiesenablingconsumerstoplaceorders
withsuppliersfromtheirhomes;
6.WhereastheCouncilresolutionof9November 7.Unchanged .
1989onfutureprioritiesforrelaunchingconsumer
protectionpolicy(3)callsupontheCommissionto
giveprioritytotheareasreferredtointheAnnexto
theresolution;whereasthatAnnexrefersto'new
technologiesinvolvingteleshopping';whereasthe
Commissionhasrespondedtothisresolutionby
adoptingathree-yearactionplanforconsumer
protectionpolicyintheEEC(1990to1992)(4);and
whereasthatplanprovidesfortheadoptionofa
Directive;
7.Whereascontractsnegotiatedatadistanceinvolve 8.Unchanged ,
theuseofoneormoremeansofcommunication at
adistanceandwhereastheongoingevolutionof
thesemeansofcommunication doesnotallowan
exhaustivelisttobecompliedbutrequiresthe
definitionofprinciplesvalidevenforthosethatare
stilllittleused;whereasitisnecessarytoestablish
clearlythedifferencebetweenadvertisingand
solicitation ;whereasthereissolicitationfromthe
timetheconsumerpossessestheelementsnecessary
tocontract;
oOJNoC92,25.4.1975,p.1.
(2)OJNoC167,5.7.1986,p.1.
(3)OJNoC294,22.11.1989,p.1.
(4)DocumentCOM(9Q)89,3.5.1990.

k
NoC308/20 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
8.WhereastheprinciplessetoutinArticle8and10of
theEuropeanConventionfortheprotectionof
humanrightsaridfundamental freedomsof
4November19.50apply;whereasallmatters
relatingtothecollection,storageandprocessingof
personaldatafallunderCommissionDirectives
.../.../EECand.../.../EECof...onthe
protectionofindividualsinrelationtothe
processingofpersonaldataandtheprotectionof
privacy;whereastheconsumer'srighttofreedom
fromintrusionshouldberecognizedandprovision
madeforpossiblerestrictionsontheuseofcertain
meansofcommunication andinparticular
restrictionsderivingfromtheaboveDirectives;9.WhereastheprinciplessetoutinArticles8and10
oftheEuropeanConventionfortheprotectionof
humanrightsandfundamental freedomsof
4November1950apply;whereastheconsumer's
righttofreedomfromintrusioninrespectofcertain
particularlyinvasivemeansofcommunication
shouldberecognized;whereasprovisionshouldbe
madeforcertainrestrictionsontheuseofsuch
means;whereasallmattersrelatingtothecollection,
storage,andprocessingofpersonaldatafallunder
CouncilDirective.../.../EEContheprotectionof
individualsinrelationtotheprocessingofpersonal
dataandtheprotectionofprivacy;
9.Whereastheconsumer'scustomissolicitedviaa10.Unchanged ,
varietyofmeansofcommunication ;whereassuch
solicitationsmustbeclearlyidentifiedascommercial
propositions ;whereasthisinformationmustcomply
withtheotherrelevantCommunityrules,in
particularCouncilDirective84/450/EECof
10September1984relatingtotheapproximation of
thelaws,regulationsandadministrative provisions
oftheMemberStatesconcerningmisleading
advertising(');
11.WhereasaMemberStatemaybaninthegeneral
interestthemarketingonitsterritoryofcertain
goodsandservicesthroughcontractsnegotiatedata
distance;whereasthisbanshouldcomplywith
Communityrules;whereassuchbansarealready
foreseen,notablyinregardtomedicinalproducts,
underDirectives89/552/EEC(Mand92/28/EEC(2);
10.Whereastheuseofsuchtechnologiesmustnotlead12.Unchanged ,
toareductionintheinformationprovidedtothe
consumer;whereasitisthereforenecessaryto
determinetheinformationthatisrequiredtobesent
totheconsumerwhateverthemeansof
communication used;
13.Whereasadvancepaymentposesaproblemof
financialsecurityfortheconsumer;whereasin
contrasttocontractsconcludedinbusinesspremises
theconsumerassumesagreaterriskasregardsthe
suppliers'reliability;whereastheconsumershould
havetheopportunity ofpayingonlyon
performance ;whereasthispossibilitydoesnot
preventtheprofessional fromalsoproposing
advancepayment;
14.Unchanged . 11.Whereasthepromotionaltechniqueinvolvingthe
sendingofaproductortheprovisionsofaservice
\(')OJNoL298,17.10.1989
(2)OJNoL113,30.4.1992. oOJNoL250,19.9.1984,p.17.

15.11.93 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC308/21
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
totheconsumerinreturnforpaymentmaynotbe
permittedwithoutapriorrequestfromorthe
explicitagreementoftheconsumer;
15.Unchanged . 11a.Whereasitisnecessarytoprescribeatimelimitfor
performanceifthisisnotspecifiedatthetimeof
ordering;
16.Unchanged . 12.Whereasinformation disseminated bycertain
electronictechnologiesoftenhasanephemeral
characterinsofarasitisnotreceivedona
permanentmedium;whereastheconsumermust
thereforereceivewrittennoticeofthecontentofthe
contractandofallinformationnecessarytoits
properperformance ,notlaterthanatthetimeofthe
deliveryofthegoodorthesupplyoftheservice;
13.Whereastheconsumerisnotabletoseeinconcreto
theproductorascertaintheserviceprovidedatthe
momentwhenhiscustomissolicited;whereasthe
consumershouldbepermittedtocancelthecontract
afterreceivingtheproductorservice;whereas,if
thisrightistobemorethanformal,thecostsborne
bytheconsumerwhenmakinguseofitmustbe
limitedtothechargesforreturn;whereasCouncil
Directive85/577/EECof20December1985to
protecttheconsumerinrespectofcontracts
negotiatedawayfrombusinesspremises(')istobe
amendedlatertoensureharmonization ,inparticular
ofthemethodforcalculatingtheperiodduring
whichthecontractmaybecancelled;17.Whereastheconsumerisnotabletoseeinconcreto
theproductorascertaintheserviceprovidedatthe
momentwhenhiscustomissolicited;whereasthe
consumershouldbepermittedtocancelthecontract
afterreceivingtheproductorservice;whereas,if
thisrightistobemorethanformal,thecostsborne
bytheconsumerwhenmakinguseofitmustbe
limitedtothechargesforreturn;whereasthatright
mustbewithoutprejudicetotheapplicationofthe
consumer'scustomaryrightswithparticularregard
tothereceiptofdamagedgoodsorservicesorgoods
andservicesnotcorresponding tothedescriptionin
theofferofsuchgoodsorservices;whereasCouncil
Directive85/577/EECof20December1985to
protecttheconsumerinrespectofcontracts
negotiatedawayfrombusinesspremises(])istobe
amendedlatertoensureharmonization ,inparticular
ofthemethodsforcalculatingtheperiodduring
whichthecontractmaybecancelled;
14.WhereasthisDirectiveshouldnotprejudicethefree
movementofradioandtelevisionbroadcasts,as
guaranteedbyArticles59and60,thirdparagraph,
oftheEECTreaty,northeapplicationoftherules
ofCouncilDirective89/552/EECof3October1989
onthecoordinationofcertainprovisionslaiddown
bylaw,regulationoradministrative actionin
MemberStates,concerningthepursuitoftelevision
broadcastingactivities (2);18.WhereasthisDirectiveshouldnotprejudicethefree
movementoflawfulradioandtelevisionbroadcasts,
asguaranteedbyArticles59and60,third
paragraph,oftheECCTreaty,northeapplication
oftherulesofCouncilDirective89/552/EECof
3October1989onthecoordination ofcertain
provisionslaiddownbylaw,regulationor
administrative actioninMemberStates,concerning
thepursuitoftelevisionbroadcastingactivities(2);
15.Whereasnon-compliance withthisDirectivemay
harmnotonlynumerousconsumersbutalso
competitors ;whereasthereisthereforeaneedfor19.Whereasnon-compliance withthisDirectivemay
harmnotonlynumerousconsumersbutalso
competitors ;whereasthereisthereforeaneedfor
(')OJNoL372,31.12.1985,p.31
(2)OJNoL298,17.10.1989,p.23(')OJNoL298,17.10.1989,p.23.
(2)OJNoL156,10.12.1992,p.21.

NoC308/22 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
provisionspermittingtradeandconsumer
organization tomonitoritsapplication in
transbordertransactions ;whereastotheextent
authorizedbythelegislationoftheMemberStates
concerned,theseorganizations shouldalsobe
allowedtoactintheStatefromwheretheconflict
originates.provisionspermittingtradeandconsumer
organization tomonitoritsapplication in
transbordertransactions ;whereas,totheextent
authorizedbythelegislationoftheMemberStates
concerned,theseorganizations shouldalsobe
allowedtoactinthesupplier'sstateoforigin;
20.Whereas Commission recommandation
92/295/EEC(!)oncodesofpracticeforthe
protectionofconsumersinrespectofcontracts
negotiatedatadistancestipulatesthatitisdesirable
thattheminimumbindingrulescontainedinthe
existingDirectivesshouldbesupplemented by
voluntaryself-regulatory arrangements intheform
ofcodesofpractice;
21.Whereasitisimportant,intheinterestsofoptimum
consumerprotection,forconsumerstobeinformed
oftheprovisionsofthisDirectiveandtheexistence
andcontentofthecodesofpracticeinthisfield;
22.Whereasthereisariskthat,incertaincases,the
consumermaybedeprivedofprotectionunderthis
Directivebydesignatingthelawofanon-Member
countryasthelawapplicabletothecontract;
whereasprovisionsshouldthereforebeincludedin
thisDirectivedesignedtoavertthisrisk;
HASADOPTEDTHISDIRECTIVE : HASADOPTEDTHISDIRECTIVE :
Article1 Article1
Object Object
TheobjectofthisDirectiveistoapproximatethelaws-,
regulationsandadministrative provisionsoftheMember
Statesconcerningcontractsnegotiatedatadistance
betweenconsumersandsuppliersandthesolicitingof
customandpreparatoryactswithaviewtosuch
contracts .11
TheobjectofthisDirectiveistoapproximatethelaws,
regulationsandadministrative provisionsoftheMember
Statesconcerningcontractsnegotiatedatadistance
betweenconsumersandsuppliersandsolicitationswitha
viewtotheconclusionofsuchcontractsandpreparatory
actswithaviewtosuchcontracts.
Article2 Article2
Definitions Definitions
ForthepurposeofthisDirective: ForthepurposeofthisDirective:
—'contractnegotiatedatadistance'meansanycontract
concerningaproductorserviceconcludedafter
solicitationofcustombythesupplier;—'contractnegotiatedatadistance'meansanycontract
concerningaproductorserviceconcludedafter
solicitationofcustombythesupplieraspartofa
salesorserviceprovisionscheme,
—withoutthesupplierandtheconsumerbeing
simultaneously present,and—withoutthesupplierandtheconsumerbeing
simultaneously present,and
oOJNoL156,10.12.1992,p.21.

15.11.93 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC308/23
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
—usingameansofcommunication atadistanceto
conveythecontractsolicitationandtheorder.—usingameansofcommunication atadistanceto
conveythecontractsolicitationandtheorder.
Thisconceptdoesnotincludearrangements ,orders,
agreementsorindividualactsofperformancewithin
anoverallcontract,inparticularacontracttobe
performedbyaseriesofseparateoperationsovera
periodoftime,Whereacontracthastobefulfilledbysuccessiveacts
ofperformanceoraseriesofseparateoperationsover
aperiodoftime,theprovisionsofthisDirectiveshall
applyonlytotheoverallcontract,ifithasbeen
negotiatedatadistance.
—'consumer'meansanaturalpersonwho,inUnchanged ,
transactionscoveredbythisDirective,isactingfor
purposeswhichcanberegardedasoutsidehistrade
orprofession,
—'supplier'meansanaturalorlegalpersonwho,for
thetransactioninquestion,actsinhiscommercialor
professionalcapacityandanyoneactinginthename
oronbehalfofasupplier;—'supplier'meansanaturalorlegalpersonwho,for
thetransactioninquestion,actsinhiscommercialor
professionalcapacity,
—'meansofcommunication atadistance'meansanyUnchanged ,
methodpermittingtheexchangeoftheinformation
requiredforthenegotiationandconclusionofa
contractbetweenaconsumerandasuppliernotin
thepresenceofoneanother;anon-exhaustive listof
themeanscoveredbythisDirectiveiscontainedin
Annex1,
—'operatorofameansofcommunication 'meansanyUnchanged ,
publicorprivatenaturalorlegalpersonmakingthe
variousmeansofcommunication atadistance
availabletosuppliersand/orconsumers,
—'contractsolicitation'meansanycommunication ata
distanceincludingallthenecessaryelementstoenable
therecipienttoenterdirectlyintoacontractual
commitment ,simpleadvertisingbeingexcluded,—'contractsolicitation'meansanycommunication at
distance,whetherpublicorpersonalized ,includingall
thenecessaryelementstoenabletherecipienttoenter
directlyintoacontractualcommitment .
Formsofadvertisingthatdonotincludeallthe
elementsnecessaryfortheconsumertoenter,directly
intoacontractualrelationshiparenotconsideredas
contractsolicitations ,
—'order'meanstheexpressionbytheconsumerofhis
intentiontoenterintoacontractualcommitment .Unchanged .
Article3 Article3
Exemptions Exemptions
ThisDirectiveshallnotapplyto: ThisDirectiveshallnotapplyto:
—automaticvendingmachines, —automaticvendingmachines,
—automatedcommercialpremises, —automatedcommercialpremises,

NoC308/24 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
—made-to-measure products, contractsforthesupplyoffoodstuffs,beveragesorother
goodsforcurrentconsumption inthehouseholdand
suppliedtothehomebydistributorsmakingfrequentand
regulardeliveries.
—serviceswithreservation(alistoftheservicesin
questionisattachedasAnnexII,
—contractsforthesupplyof:
—foodstuffs,beveragesorothergoodsintendedfor
currentconsumptioninthehousehold,
—servicesforcurrentconsumption .
Article4 Article4
Restrictionontheuseofcertainmeansofcommunication
atadistanceRestrictionoftheuseofcertainmeansofcommunication
atadistance
MemberStatesshalltakethemeasuresnecessary
effectivelytoprotectconsumerswhohaveindicatedthat
theydonotwishtobesolicitedagainstsuchsoliciting,
withoutprejudicetotheothersafeguardsavailabletothe
consumerunderCommunitylegislationconcerningthe
protectionofpersonaldataandprivacy.MemberStatesshalltakethenecessarymeasuresto
ensurethatmeansofcommunication atadistanceare
usedtosolicitcustomfromconsumersonlyunder
conditionsoffaircompetitionandwithdueregardfor
theconsumer'sprivacy,particularlypursuantto
Article17ofDirective.../.../EECconcerningthe
protectionofindividualsinrelationtotheprocessingof
personaldataandprivacyinthecontextofthepublic
digitaltelecommunications networks.
Themeansofcommunication listedbelowshallbeused
onlywiththepriorconsentoftheconsumer:
—facsimilemachine(fax),
—electronicmail,
—telephone,
—automaticcallingunits
Article5 Article5
Presentation Presentation
1.MemberStatesshalltakethenecessarymeasuresto
ensurethatallcontractsolicitationsshallbedesignedand
presentedinsuchawayastocomplywiththeprinciples
ofgoodfaithincommercialtransactions ,andthosefor
theprotectionofminors.1.MemberStatesshalltakethenecessarymeasuresto
ensurethatallcontractssolicitationsshallbedesigned
andpresentedinsuchawayastocomplywiththe
principlesofgoodfaithincommercialtransactionsand
theprinciplesgoverningtheprotectionofminorsand
thosewhoareunableunderthelawoftheMember
Statestogivetheirconsent.
2.Unchanged . 2.Allcontractsolicitations shallmaketheir
commercialpurposeclear.
3.Wherethecostofusingameansofcommunication
atadistancetoplacetheorderorperformthe3.Anycontractsolicitationmuststatewithoutany
ambiguitywhetherthecostofusingameansof

15.11.93 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC308/25
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
servicemustbebornebytheconsumer,heshallbe
informedofthisfactifitisnotevident.communication atadistancetoplacetheorderor
performtheservicemustbebornebytheconsumer.
Article6 Article6
Contentofcontractsolicitations Contentofcontractsolicitations
Atthetimewhenhiscustomissolicited,theconsumer
shallbeprovidedwithclearandunambiguous
informationinanywayappropriatetothemeansof
communication ,comprisinginparticular :Atthetimewhenhiscustomissolicited,theconsumer
shallbeprovidedwithclearandunambiguousinfomation
ofcommunication ,comprisinginparticular:
—theidentityofthesupplier, —theidentityofthesupplier,
—themaincharacteristics oftheproductorservice,
—thepriceandquantityofanytransportcharges,and
VATcharges,ifnotincluded,—themaincharacteristics oftheproductorservice,
—thepriceandquantityofanytransportchargesifnot
included,
and and —thepayment,
arrangements ,delivery performance —thepayment,
arrangements ,delivery performance
—theperiodforwhichthesolicitationremainsvalid.—rightofwithdrawalforthepurposesofArticle11,
—theperiodforwhichthesolicitationremainsvalid.
Article7 Article7
Contractsolicitationbytelevision Contractsolicitationbytelevision
Inthecaseofsolicitationbytelevision:
—thepresentationwithinthemeaningofArticle5of
thisDirectivemustexclusivelyobservetheprovisions
relatingtotheprotectionofminorsinArticle22of
Directive89/552/EEC,Inthecaseofsolicitationbytelevision,thepresentation
withinthemeaningofArticle5ofthisDirectivemust
observetheprovisionsofDirective89/552/EEC.
CompliancewiththeprovisionsofthatDirectiveandof
thepresentDirectivemustnothamperfreedomofradio
andtelevisionbroadcast .
Ifthefullcontentsofthecontractsolicitationwithinthe
meaningofArticle6isnotdisplayedonscreenandifthe
consumersorequests,thesuppliermustensurethatthis
informationisconveyedinwriting.—thesuppliermustensurethattheinformationsetout
inArticle6isconveyedinwritingnolaterthanthe
momentwhendirectcontactismadebetweenthe
suDolierandtheconsumer .
Article8
Financialsecurity
Nopaymentmayberequiredoftheconsumerbefore
deliveryoftheproductorperformanceoftheservice.
Article8 Article9
Inertiaselling Inertiaselling
3.Unchanged . 1.MemberStatesshalltakeappropriatestepsto
ensurethatconsumersarenotsuppliedwithproductsor

NoC308/26 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
serviceswhichtheyhavenotorderedbeforehandand
askedeithertopurchasethemortoreturnthem,evenat
nocost.
2.Thesestepsshallatleastincludeaprovisiontothe
effectthatifproductsorserviceshavebeensosupplied
theconsumershallhavetherighttodoashepleaseswith
themunlesstherehasbeenanobviousmistake,inwhich
caseheshallmerelyholdthematthedisposalofthe
supplierforareasonableperiodandprovidedtheir
naturesopermits.2.Thesestepsshallatleastincludeaprovisiontothe
effectthatifproductsorserviceshavebeensosupplied
theconsumershallhavetherightwithouthavingtomake
anypaymenttodoashepleaseswiththemunlessthere
hasbeenanobviousmistake;inthelattercaseheshall
merelyholdthematthedisposalofthesupplierfora
reasonableperiodandprovidedthenatureoftheproduct
orservicesopermits,andnoinconvenience iscausedto
theconsumer .
3.Unchanged .
4.ThisArticleshallnotapplytogoodssuppliedfree
ofcharge,suchassamplesorpromotionalgiftsprovided
itismadeclearthattheyarecompletelyfreeofcharge
withnoobligationfortheconsumer.
5.Ifthesuppliercannotsupplyexactlythesame
productorserviceasthatspecified,butinsteadsuppliesa
productorserviceofthesamequalityandprice,such
actionshallnotconstituteinertiasellingwithinthe
meaningofthisArticle,providedthattheconsumermay
returnthesubstituteproductifheisdissatisfiedandthat
heisclearlyinformedinwritingofhisrighttodoso.3.Failuretoreplyshallnotconstituteconsent.
4.ThisArticleshallnotapplytothesendingof
samplesorpromotionalgiftsprovideditismadeclear
thattheyarecompletelyfreeofchargewithnoobligation
fortheconsumer .
Article9
Performance
Ifnotimelimitforperformance isstipulatedinthe
contractsolicitation,theordershallbeperformednot
morethan30daysafteritisreceivedbythesupplier.Article10
Performance
Ifnotimelimitforperformance isstipulatedinthe
contractsolicitation,performancemustbeginnotmore
than30daysaftertheorderisreceivedbythesupplier.
Article10
Information onthecontentofthecontract
1.Notlaterthanatthetimeofdelivery,theconsumer
shallreceivethefollowinginformationinwritingandin
thelanguageusedinthecontractsolicitation :
—theidentityofthesupplierandtheaddressofoneof
hisplacesofbusiness,
—mainfeaturesoftheproductorservice,
—priceandquantity,
—paymentarrangements ,includingcreditterms,or
termsforpaymentbyinstalments,Article11
Information onthecontentofthecontract
1.Notlaterthanatthetimeofdelivery,theconsumer
shallreceiveatleastthefollowinginformationinwriting
andinthelanguageusedinthecontractsolicitation :
—theinformationreferredtoinArticle6,
—nameandaddressofthesupplier'smostappropriate
placeofbusinessfortheconsumer,
—paymentarrangements ,includingcreditterms,or
termsforpaymentbyinstalments,
—arrangements forexercisingtherightofwithdrawal
withinthemeaningofArticle12,

15.11.93 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC308/27
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
—rightofwithdrawalwithinthemeaningof
Article11,—othercontractualconditionssuchasthoserelatingto
guarantees .
—arrangements forexercisingthisright.
Whereacontractisopen-ended ,andinparticularifitis
tobeperformedbymeansofrepeatedoperations,the
conditionsunderwhichitcanbeterminatedmustbe
indicated.Whereacontractisopen-ended,andinparticularifitis
tobeperformedbymeansofrepeatedoperations,the
conditionsunderwhichitcanberescindedmustbe
indicated.
2.Paragraph1shallnotapplytoservicessupplied
directlybytelematicmeans,preciselytheperformanceof
whichiseffectedbytheuseofmeansofcommunication
atadistance,whentheyaresuppliedonlyonone
occasion.Nevertheless ,theoperatorofatechniqueof
communication shallbeobligedtoindicatetothe
consumer,ondemand,thelocationofthesupplier.2.Paragraph 1shallnotapplytoservicessupplied
directlybytelematicmeans,preciselytheperformanceof
whichiseffectedbytheuseofmeansofcommunication
atadistance,whentheyaresuppliedonlyonone
occasion.Nevertheless ,theoperatorofameansof
communication shallbeobligedtoindicatetothe
consumer,ondemand,thelocationofthesuppliers'most
appropriateplaceofbusinessfortheconsumerandthe
amountofthecostsincurredbythatservice.
ArticleJ1
Rightofwithdrawal
1.Foranycontractnegotiatedatadistance,the
consumershallhaveaperiodofnotlessthansevendays
startingfromthereceiptoftheproductorservicein
whichhemaycancelthecontractwithoutpenalty.The
onlycostspayableshallbethedirectreturncharges,if
appropriate .Article12
Rightofwithdrawal
1.Foranycontractnegotiatedatadistance,the
consumershallhaveaperiodofnotlessthanseven,
workingdaysstartingfromthereceiptoftheproductor
serviceinwhichhemaycancelthecontractandreturn
theproductinitsoriginalconditionwithoutpenalty.The
onlycostspayableshallbethedirectreturncharges,if
appropriate .
Intheexerciseonthisright,theperiodofsevenworking
daysshallbegin:
—forproducts,fromthedateofreceiptbythe
consumer ,
—forservices,withoutprejudicetotheprovisionsof
paragraph4ofthisArticle,whentheconsumer
receivesdocumentation informinghimthatthe
contracthasbeenconcluded .Forservices,thisperiodshallbeginwhentheconsumer
receivesdocumentation expressingtheexplicitagreement
ofthesupplier.
Inthecaseofperformanceinstages,thisperiodbegins
onreceiptofthefinalinstalment .
2.Unchanged . 2.Theconsumermustbeabletoprovideadocument
asevidenceofreturn.
3.Whereaproductorserviceispurchasedoncredit,
MemberStatesshallprovideforcancellationofcredit
agreementsconcludedwiththesupplierwhentherightof
returnisexercised;ifthecredithasnotbeenprovided
directlybythesupplier,Article11ofDirective
87/102/EEC(!)onconsumercreditshallapply.3.Whereaproductorserviceispurchasedoncredit,
MemberStatesshallprovideforcancellationofcredit
agreementsconcludedwiththesupplierwhentherightof
returnisexercised,inthefollowingcases:
(')OJNoL42,12.2.1987,p.48

NoC308/28 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
—wherethecredithasbeenprovideddirectlybythe
supplieroftheproductorservice,
—wherethecredithasbeenprovidedbyalender,on
thebasisofprioragreementwiththesupplierofthe
productorserviceunderwhichthemoneylenderhas
providedthecredittothesupplier'sclientforthe
purposesofacquiringgoodsorservicesprovidedby
thelatter.
4.ThepresentArticleshallnotapplyto: 4.ThepresentArticleshallnotapplyto:
—services,ifperformancehasbegunbeforetheendof
theperiodofsevenworkingdays,—services,ifanessentialpartofperformance isbegun
orshouldhavebegunbeforetheendofthesevenday
period,
—transactionsconcerningsecuritiesandotherproducts
orservicesthepriceofwhichisdependenton
fluctuations inthefinancialmarketwhichcannotbe
controlledbythesupplier,—transactionsconcerningsecuritiesandotherproducts
orservicesthepriceofwhichisdependenton
fluctuations inthefinancialmarketwhichcannotbe
controlledbythesupplier,
—contractsconcludedintheformofanauthenticated
document,—contractsconcludedintheformofanauthenticated
document,
—unlessotherwisestipulated,toproducts: —made-to-measure productsorclearlypersonalized
products,
—serviceswithreservationaslistedinAnnexII,
—unlessotherwisestipulated,toproducts:
—whichcanbeimmediatelyreproduced,whichcanbeimmediatelyreproduced,
—forpersonalhygiene,
—whichbvreasonoftheirnaturecannotbe
w
returned .
—forpersonalhygiene,
—whichbyreasonoftheirnaturecannotbe
returnedorareliabletodeterioraterapidly.
5.ThisArticleshallbewithoutprejudicetothe
consumer'scustomaryrights,withparticularregardto
thereceiptofdefectiveproductsorservicesorproducts
orservicesnotcorresponding tothedescriptiongivenin
theofferforsuchproductsandservices.
Article12 Article13
Paymentbycard Paymentbycard
Iftheownerofapaymentcardquestionsthevalidityof
anyoperationinwhichthenumberofthecardhasbeen
recordedwithoutpresentationorelectronicidentification
ofthemeansofpayment,theoperationshalltherebybe
cancelled.Thesupplier'sbankaccountshallthenbe
debitedandtheowner'saccountshallberecreditedas
quicklyaspossible,withoutprejudicetoanyclaimfor
damagesintheeventofanoperation'sbeingdisputed
improperly .Iftheholderofapaymentcardquestionsthevalidityof
anyoperationinwhichthenumberofthecardhasbeen
recordedwithoutpresentationorelectronicidentification
ofthemeansofpayment,theoperationshalltherebybe
cancelled.Thesupplier'sbankaccountshallthenbe
debitedandtheholder'saccountshallberecreditedas
quicklyaspossible,withoutprejudicetoanyclaimfor
damagesintheeventofanoperation'sbeingdisputed
improperly .

15.11.93 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC308/29
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
Article13
Judicialoradministrative redressArticle14
Judicialoradministrative redress
1.Unchanged . 1.MemberStatesshallensurethatadequateand
effectivemeansexisttoenforcecompliancewiththis
Directiveintheinterestsofconsumersandcompetitors .
2.Tothisend,MemberStatesshallmakeprovision,
amongothers,fortradeandconsumerorganizations
whichcan,accordingtotheirnationallegislation,
demonstrate alegitimateinterestinthematter,tobe
entitled,ifitisrecognizedbytheMemberStateofthe
conflict,totakelegalactionand/orbringcomplaints
beforeacompetentadministrative body.Tothisend,MemberStatesshallmakeprovision,among
others,fortradeandconsumerorganizationswhichcan,
accordingtotheirnationallegislation,demonstrate a
legitimateinterestinthematter,tobeentitled,ifitis
recognizedbytheMemberStateoftheconflict,totake
legalactionand/orbringcomplaintsbeforeacompetent
administrative bodyinthecompany'sstateoforigin,if
thisStateallowsactionsofthiskind.
3.MemberStatesshall,asnecessary,empowerthe
courtsand/oradministrative authorities,intheeventof
litigation,torequirethesuppliertoprovideproof,in
particularofthecontentofthesolicitation,theexistence
ofapriorrequest,theconsumer'sconsentand
compliancewithtimelimits.3.MemberStatesshall,asnecessary,empowerthe
courtsand/oradministrative authorities,intheeventof
litigation,torequirethesuppliertoprovideproof,in
particularofthecontentofthesolicitation,theexistence
ofapriorrequest,theconsumer'sconsentand
compliancewithtimelimits.Theyshallalsoempower
themtoorderdiscontinuation ofsolicitation .This
injunctionmayalsobeaddressedtoanyoperatorofa
meansofcommunication atadistance.
4.ThisDirectiveshallnotexcludevoluntary 4.Unchanged .
supervisionofcompliancewithitsprovisionsby
self-regulatory bodiesandrecoursetosuchbodiesbythe
personsororganizations referredtoinparagraph2,if
proceduresinvolvingsuchbodiesexistinadditiontothe
courtoradministrative proceduresreferredtointhis
Article.
ArticleIS
Information
TheMemberStatesandtheorganizationsconcernedshall
ensurethattheconsumerisinformedoftheprovisionsof
thisDirectiveandoftheexistenceandcontentofcodes
ofpracticeinthisfield.
Article14
Bindingnature
Theconsumermaynotwaivetherightsconferredonhim
bythisDirective.Article16
Bindingnature
1.Theconsumermaynotwaivetherightsconferred
onhimbythisDirectiveundernationallaw.
2.MemberStatesshalltakethenecessarymeasuresto
ensurethattheconsumerdoesnotlosetheprotection

NoC308/30 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 15.11.93
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL
grantedbythisDirectivebyvirtueofthechoiceofthe
lawofanon-Membercountryasthelawapplicableto
thecontract.
Article15
Communityrules
NothinginthisDirectiveshallprecludetheapplicationof
provisionsspecifictotechniques,productsorservices
underotherCommunityinstruments .Article17
Communityrules
NothinginthisDirectiveshallprecludetheapplicationof
provisionsspecifictotechniques,productsorservices
underotherCommunityinstruments .
WhenaspecificCommunityrulecontainsprovisionsthat
regulateonlycertainaspectsofthemarketingofproducts
andservices,itistheseprovisionswhichshallapplywith
respecttotheseaspectsofmarketing.
Article18
Minimalclause
MemberStatesmayintroduceormaintain,withinthe
domaincoveredbythisDirective,morestringent
provisionscompatiblewiththeTreaty,inordertosecure
ahigherlevelofconsumerprotection .
Article16 Article19
Implementation Implementation
MemberStatesshallbringintoforcethelaws,regulations Unchanged .
andadministrative provisionsnecessarytocomplywith
thisDirectivenotlaterthan31December1994.
WhenMemberStatesadoptthesemeasures,theseshall
containareferencetothisDirectiveorshallbe
accompaniedbysuchreferenceontheoccasionoftheir
officialpublication .Theprocedureforsuchreference
shallbelaiddownbyMemberStates.
<
MemberStatesshallcommunicate totheCommission the
textoftheprovisionsofnationallawwhichtheyadopt
inthefieldgovernedbythisDirective .
Article17 Article20
ThisDirectiveisaddressedtotheMemberStates-Unchanged .

15,11.93 OfficialJournalofthe
INITIALCOMMISSION PROPOSAL
ANNEXI
Examplesofmeansofcommunication atadistancecoveredby
thisDirective :
—unaddressedprintedmatter,
—-addressedprintedmatter,
—standardletter,
—pressadvertisingwithorderform,
—catalogue,
—telephonewithhumanintervention ,
—telephonewithouthumanintervention (automaticcalling
machine,audiotext),
—radio,
—videophone (telephonewithscreen),
—videotext (microcomputer andtelevisionscreen,with
keyboardortouchscreen),
—electronicmail,
—fax(facsimilemachine),EuropeanCommunities NoC308/31
AMENDED PROPOSAL
ANNEXI
i
Examplesofmeansofcommunication atadistancecoveredby
.thisDirective :
—unaddressedprintedmatter,
—addressedprintedmatter,
—standardletter,
—pressadvertisingwithorderform
—cataloguewithorderform,
—smalladvertisements ,
—telephonewithhumanintervention ,
—telephonewithouthumanintervention (automaticcalling
machine,audiotext),
—radio,
—videophone (telephonewithscreen),
—videotext (microcomputer andtelevisionscreen,with
keyboardortouchscreen),
—electronicmail,
—facsimilemachine(fax), —television (tele-shopping ).
—television (tele-shopping ),
—videocassettes.
ANNEXII ANNEXII
ServiceswithreservationwithinthemeaningofArticle3:
—transport,
—accommodation ,
—catering,
—entertainment .ServiceswithreservationwithinthemeaningofArticle12:
—transport,
—accommodation ,
—catering,
—entertainment .