Directive 2011/83/EU (art. 10)
The 12-month extension when the trader fails to inform, in EU law (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 10) - and France's art. L.221-20
The extension of the period to 12 months
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Under article 10 of Directive 2011/83/EU, where the trader failed to inform the consumer of the right of withdrawal, the 14-day period is extended by 12 months - the same rule across the 27 member states. France transposes it in article L.221-20 (a period of 12 months and 14 days); in Ireland the same right sits in S.I. No. 484/2013, enforced by the CCPC. The extension applies as of right, without any procedure.
The rule - and France's article L.221-20
Article 10 of Directive 2011/83/EU harmonises the sanction for missing information: where the trader has not provided the required information on the right of withdrawal, the withdrawal period is extended by twelve months from the end of the initial fourteen-day period; if the information is finally given during that extension, a fresh fourteen-day period runs from the day the consumer receives it. France transposes this in article L.221-20 of the Code de la consommation in identical terms (12 months and 14 days).
A synthesis faithful to the EU text and to France's transposition. Primary source: Directive 2011/83/EU (art. 10) on EUR-Lex. France's transposition, article L.221-20, in full: the French transposition on Legifrance
In plain language
This is the civil sanction most feared by traders across the EU. A failure to inform the consumer about the right of withdrawal does not result in a fine: under Directive 2011/83/EU (art. 10) it opens up a withdrawal period of 12 months and 14 days instead of 14 days, in every member state.
In practice, every sale concluded without compliant information (and, since 19 June 2026, without the online withdrawal functionality required by Directive (EU) 2023/2673) remains cancellable for more than a year. France sets this out in article L.221-20; the extension is automatic - neither a formal notice nor a court decision is needed.
The trader can "purge" the extension by putting things right: as soon as the missing information is provided, a fresh 14-day period runs from that date. Hence the value of becoming compliant as quickly as possible, whichever member state's law applies.
Key takeaways
- Failure to inform = period raised to 12 months + 14 days (Directive 2011/83/EU, art. 10).
- Automatic extension, as of right, without any procedure.
- Curable: informing the customer restarts a 14-day period.
- The absence of the online withdrawal functionality (Directive (EU) 2023/2673; France: L.221-21) is a typical failure to inform.
Going further
This page is an educational synthesis and does not constitute legal advice. The law that applies is that of the consumer's own country (Rome I Regulation). The reference texts carry authority: the EU directive on EUR-Lex and France's transposition on Legifrance.