Afkoelingsperiode

The cooling-off period, also referred to as the reflection period, constitutes a consumer protection measure under Dutch law. It affords consumers the right to withdraw from a contract within a prescribed timeframe, generally fourteen days, particularly in respect of distance contracts such as online purchases or doorstep sales.

This provision serves to safeguard consumers against hasty or pressured decisions and unfair trading practices. Traders are required to inform consumers in advance of the existence and duration of the cooling-off period; failure to do so may result in an extension of the period for up to twelve months.

In practice, the cooling-off period is widely invoked in the context of online retail and telephone sales, enabling consumers to return goods without incurring costs.