Consumer matters

Consumer Advisory Services provide advice on issues related to purchasing products and services, and help with mediating disputes between private consumers and corporations. The foundation is the consumer protection legislation and the best practices of different fields of business.

Consumer Advisory Services does not handle cases related to sales between two private persons. The Consumer Disputes Board also handles cases related to the sales or leasing of apartments in which both parties are private persons.

First contact the seller

If a product or service is defective, consumers must first contact the seller, corporation or lessor related to their case. If the matter cannot be solved by negotiating with the seller, consumers can request assistance from Consumer Advisory Services. To the website of the Consumer Advisory Services.

If the dispute cannot be settled otherwise, the consumer may request a recommended decision from the Consumer Disputes Board. The decisions of the Board are recommendations but corporations usually abide by them. To the website of the Consumer Disputes Board (only in Finnish and Swedish).

If the Consumer Disputes Board recommends compensation, the consumer must contact the seller of the product or service themselves to receive the compensation. If the Board does not recommend compensation, the consumer may still bring the case to a district court. Usually, consumers are responsible for their legal costs and advocating for their case.

Products and services from outside Finland

If a product or services was purchased from a corporation established within the EU or in Norway, Iceland or the United Kingdom, assistance in consumer disputes can be requested from the European Consumer Centre. The Centre also advises consumers in cases where the seller of the product or service is not in Europe. To the website of the European Consumer Centre.