Directive (EU) 2023/2673 is a piece of EU law from 2023. Its long name is about the distance marketing of consumer financial services. "Distance" just means sold online or by phone, not face to face in a shop.
The directive updates an older consumer law, Directive 2011/83/EU, which many people call the Consumer Rights Directive. It adds a new part, often referred to as Article 11a. This new part is where the withdrawal button comes from.
What the directive actually requires
The law sets out a clear shape for how the cancellation should work online. The main points are simple:
- An easy to find function. There must be a clear withdrawal button or link that the customer can spot without effort.
- Clear labels. The button must be marked in a way that leaves no doubt about what it does.
- A confirm step. After the customer starts the withdrawal, there is a short confirm step so it is not done by accident. This is the "two step" pattern.
- A receipt. The customer must get a confirmation on a durable medium. Durable medium means something they can store and read later, such as an email or a PDF.
Who does it cover?
The core of Directive 2023/2673 is about financial services sold at a distance. That includes things like online loans, credit, insurance and similar products. If you sell those to consumers in the EU through a website or app, the button rule applies to you in a direct way.
Because the rules and national versions are still settling in, it is wise to plan for an easy withdrawal flow even if your exact product is on the edge of the scope. It is good service, and it keeps you ready as the rules grow.
The dates that matter
-
22 November 2023
The directive is adopted
Directive (EU) 2023/2673 is agreed at EU level.
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19 December 2025
Countries must have it in national law
Each EU country had to write the rule into its own law by this date. This step is called transposition.
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19 June 2026
The rules start to apply
From this day, the new obligations apply in practice. This is the date to be ready for.
What this means for your shop
You do not need to be a lawyer to act on this. In plain terms, you should:
- 1
Check if you sell to the EU
If buyers in the EU can use your site, this topic is for you.
- 2
Add an easy way to cancel
A clear button, a short confirm step, and a saved receipt.
- 3
Keep good records
Save the date and time of each request so you can meet the deadlines.
The compliance checklist turns this into a simple list you can tick off.