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Withdrawal Button in E-commerce: New Legal Requirements from 19 June 2026
On 19 June 2026, new rules under the Distance Contracts Act will come into effect. For many online retailers, this change introduces a new requirement to provide a digital cancellation function, often referred to as a return button.The purpose of the legislative change is to strengthen consumer protection and make it just as easy to exercise the right of withdrawal online as it is to make a purchase.
If you operate an online store that sells to consumers, you need to ensure that your store complies with the new requirements before the legislation comes into force.
Until now, many online retailers have required customers to contact customer service by phone or email to cancel a purchase. Under the new rules, consumers must be able to do this through a clear and easily accessible digital function.
The term "withdrawal button" is often used because the function should be easy to find and use, without unnecessary barriers or additional steps.
In recent years, regulators and lawmakers have focused on so-called dark patterns – design practices that make it difficult for users to cancel subscriptions, withdraw from purchases, or exercise their legal rights.
The aim of the new rules is therefore to create a more transparent and consumer-friendly online shopping experience where customers can easily exercise their right of withdrawal.
If your online store serves private consumers, you will be required to provide a digital withdrawal function.
Pure B2B stores, where sales are made exclusively between businesses, are not covered by the new requirement.
If you sell to both businesses and consumers, you should assume that the rules apply to the consumer-facing part of your business.
When a customer submits a withdrawal request, an acknowledgement of receipt should be sent automatically.
Documented case handling
The store must be able to receive and manage withdrawal requests in a structured manner.
What changes is how customers can notify you that they wish to exercise their right of withdrawal. The process must become simpler and more accessible online.
Depending on the circumstances, this may result in:
For this reason, all online retailers are encouraged to review their processes and technical setup well in advance of 19 June 2026.
Customers enter their order number and the email address used for the purchase. Once the information has been verified, they can submit a request to exercise their right of withdrawal.
After the customer confirms the request, it is forwarded to the store and registered in the administration panel, where it can be handled by store staff.
Store administrators can then:
In the latest theme versions, the link can be enabled directly through the theme settings.
If you are using an older theme, you can instead add a custom link in places such as:
If you operate an online store that sells to consumers, you need to ensure that your store complies with the new requirements before the legislation comes into force.
What is a digital withdrawal function?
The digital withdrawal function is a new legal requirement that allows consumers to notify a retailer online that they wish to exercise their right of withdrawal.Until now, many online retailers have required customers to contact customer service by phone or email to cancel a purchase. Under the new rules, consumers must be able to do this through a clear and easily accessible digital function.
The term "withdrawal button" is often used because the function should be easy to find and use, without unnecessary barriers or additional steps.
Why are these new rules being introduced?
The legislative change is part of a broader effort to strengthen consumer rights in e-commerce.In recent years, regulators and lawmakers have focused on so-called dark patterns – design practices that make it difficult for users to cancel subscriptions, withdraw from purchases, or exercise their legal rights.
The aim of the new rules is therefore to create a more transparent and consumer-friendly online shopping experience where customers can easily exercise their right of withdrawal.
Which online retailers are affected?
The new rules apply to businesses that sell to consumers (B2C).If your online store serves private consumers, you will be required to provide a digital withdrawal function.
Pure B2B stores, where sales are made exclusively between businesses, are not covered by the new requirement.
If you sell to both businesses and consumers, you should assume that the rules apply to the consumer-facing part of your business.
What must an online store provide after 19 June 2026?
To comply with the new legal requirements, your online store must provide:
A clear digital withdrawal function
Customers must be able to notify you easily that they wish to withdraw from a purchase without having to contact customer service manually.
Easy access
The function should be easy to find, for example via:
- My Account
- Order confirmation emails
- Information pages
- The website footer
- The navigation menu
When a customer submits a withdrawal request, an acknowledgement of receipt should be sent automatically.
Documented case handling
The store must be able to receive and manage withdrawal requests in a structured manner.
Will the withdrawal period change?
No. The statutory 14-day withdrawal period remains unchanged.What changes is how customers can notify you that they wish to exercise their right of withdrawal. The process must become simpler and more accessible online.
What happens if an online store does not comply?
If an online store does not provide a digital withdrawal function after the legislation comes into effect, it may be considered a breach of consumer protection and marketing regulations.Depending on the circumstances, this may result in:
- Regulatory scrutiny by the relevant authorities
- Sanctions
- An extended withdrawal period for the customer
For this reason, all online retailers are encouraged to review their processes and technical setup well in advance of 19 June 2026.
How the digital withdrawal function works in Abicart
Abicart includes support for the new digital withdrawal function.Customers enter their order number and the email address used for the purchase. Once the information has been verified, they can submit a request to exercise their right of withdrawal.
After the customer confirms the request, it is forwarded to the store and registered in the administration panel, where it can be handled by store staff.
Store administrators can then:
- View incoming withdrawal requests
- Add internal notes
- Approve or reject requests
- Navigate directly to the related order
How to activate the withdrawal function in Abicart
To comply with the new requirements, you need to ensure that the withdrawal form is visible and accessible to your customers.In the latest theme versions, the link can be enabled directly through the theme settings.
If you are using an older theme, you can instead add a custom link in places such as:
- The footer
- The navigation menu
- Terms & Information pages
- Customer service pages
Step-by-step guide
We have created a comprehensive guide that explains:- How the withdrawal function works
- How to manage incoming requests
- How to enable the footer link
- How to add the link to menus and information pages
- What you need to check before 19 June 2026