Unfair Commercial Practices Directive
Commercial fairness, misleading action/omission, aggressive practices and blacklist.
Unfair Commercial Practices DirectiveCurrent-law map
Start with the law that already exists.
Digital fairness is already governed by overlapping EU instruments with different actors, scopes and legal tests. This map is an orientation layer, not a conclusion that every listed rule applies to every interface. Teams should identify the conduct, provider role, consumer decision, data use and sector before mapping a specific provision.
Source comparison .
Application dates checked on 14 September 2026
The Commission CRD overview records application of Directive (EU) 2023/2673 from 19 June 2026. The online withdrawal function belongs to that existing-law framework; ordinary subscription cancellation remains a separate question. Directive (EU) 2024/825 applies from 27 September 2026, which is still future at this review date.
Commission application-date overview · Withdrawal and subscription guide
Consumer Rights Directive
Pre-contract information, additional payments, distance contracts and withdrawal.
Consumer Rights DirectiveUnfair Contract Terms Directive
Fairness and transparency of non-negotiated consumer contract terms.
Unfair Contract Terms DirectiveDigital Services Act
Online-platform interface design and other intermediary obligations within scope.
Digital Services ActGeneral Data Protection Regulation
Personal data principles, legal bases, consent, transparency and data-subject control.
General Data Protection RegulationDigital Markets Act
Specific duties for designated gatekeepers, not a universal UX code.
Digital Markets ActArtificial Intelligence Act
AI-system practices, transparency and risk rules on its staged application timetable.
Artificial Intelligence ActAudiovisual Media Services Directive
Audiovisual commercial communications and relevant media protections.
Audiovisual Media Services DirectiveStatus matrix
Current, announced, considered or unknown?
| Question | Current law | Officially announced | Under consideration | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manipulative online-platform interfaces | DSA Article 25 applies to providers of online platforms within scope; Article 25(2) preserves the UCPD/GDPR boundary. Digital Services Act | Dark patterns are a named DFA preparation area. Review of EU consumer law | Policy options and thresholds remain under impact assessment. Digital Fairness Act: call for evidence for an impact assessment | Any final DFA wording and relationship to current rules |
| Consumer price and contract information | UCPD and CRD contain current duties. Consumer Rights Directive | Price marketing and digital contracts are named preparation topics. Review of EU consumer law | Information-requirement simplification and further controls are being assessed. Digital Fairness Act: call for evidence for an impact assessment | Any new harmonised interface or remedy rule |
| Consent and personal data choices | GDPR and relevant platform or consumer rules may apply. General Data Protection Regulation | Unfair personalisation is a named preparation area. Review of EU consumer law | Cross-regime coherence and policy design are still being assessed. Digital Fairness Act: call for evidence for an impact assessment | Exact DFA interaction and enforcement model |
Evidence base
Sources
- Unfair Commercial Practices DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2005/29/EC; CELEX 02005L0029-20220528
- Consumer Rights DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2011/83/EU; CELEX 02011L0083-20220528
- Unfair Contract Terms DirectiveCouncil of the European Communities · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Council Directive 93/13/EEC; CELEX 01993L0013-20220528
- Digital Services ActEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Regulation (EU) 2022/2065; CELEX 32022R2065
- General Data Protection RegulationEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Regulation (EU) 2016/679; CELEX 32016R0679
- Digital Markets ActEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Regulation (EU) 2022/1925; CELEX 32022R1925
- Artificial Intelligence ActEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Regulation (EU) 2024/1689; CELEX 32024R1689
- Audiovisual Media Services DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2010/13/EU; CELEX 02010L0013-20181218
- Consumer Rights Directive: amendments and application datesEuropean Commission · Primary · checked 2026-09-14
- Requirement for online stores to offer a statutory withdrawal function in June 2026European Consumer Centre Finland · Primary · checked 2026-09-14
- Review of EU consumer lawEuropean Commission, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers · Primary · checked 2026-09-14
- Digital Fairness Act: call for evidence for an impact assessmentEuropean Commission · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Initiative 14622; Ares(2025)6275573