The legal framework
The Consumer Rights Act 2022 consolidated and modernised Irish consumer law, implementing EU directives on the sale of goods, digital content and services. It provides a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts, a 30-day right to reject faulty goods, and rules for digital products including updates.
As a member state of the European Union, this country's consumer law transposes Directive 2011/83/EU and Directives (EU) 2019/770 and 2019/771: the fourteen-day withdrawal period and the two-year conformity guarantee are European in origin.
Key points
| Cooling-off | 14 days from delivery for most distance purchases |
|---|---|
| Right to reject | 30 days for faulty goods |
| Remedies hierarchy | Repair or replacement, then price reduction or termination |
| Digital content | Quality and update obligations, including for free services paid for with data |
| Burden of proof | Reversed in favour of the consumer for the first year |
| Chargeback | Available through card schemes |
| Cross-border | European Consumer Centre assists with EU sellers |
| Consumer Rights Act 2022 | Consolidated and modernised consumer law, including digital content |
| Thirty-day right | A short-term right to reject faulty goods |
| European Consumer Centre | Handles cross-border disputes free of charge |
In practice
- Pay by a method that allows a chargeback — this is the most effective remedy against a seller who stops responding.
- Keep the order confirmation, the listing as it appeared, and all correspondence.
- Put complaints in writing with a clear deadline before escalating.
- For purchases from abroad, check import duty and tax before ordering: they often exceed the saving.
- Use the European Consumer Centre for traders in another member state.
- Put the complaint in writing with a deadline before escalating.
Cost and coverage
CCPC advice and ECC assistance are free.
Recent changes
The 2022 Act extended consumer protection to services paid for with personal data, an important change for app users.
Where to go
- Competition and Consumer Protection Commission helpline.
- European Consumer Centre Ireland for cross-border disputes.
- Small Claims procedure for low-value cases, filed online.
Worth knowing
The Small Claims procedure is cheap, online and designed to be used without a solicitor — the practical route once a seller stops responding. The 2022 Act replaced a patchwork of older statutes. Guidance written before it may describe rights that have since changed.
Official sources and links
- Citizens Information — official plain-language guide to rights and entitlements
- Irish Statute Book — legislation as enacted