COMMISSION NOTICE Guidance on the interpretation and application of Council…

COMMISSION NOTICE Guidance on the interpretation and application of Council Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts

guidance · European Union · 52019XC0927(01)

395 provisions in 1130 nodes

Defined terms · All instruments · EU Member State · EU law · European standard · Internet · Pre-contract information · Right of withdrawal · Unfair contract terms · admissibility

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COMMISSION NOTICE

Guidance on the interpretation and application of Council Directive 93/13/EEC on unfair terms in consumer contracts

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE UCTD

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1.1. The objectives of the UCTD

1.2. The scope of the UCTD

1.2.1. The notions of ‘seller or supplier’, ‘consumer’ and of ‘contracts concluded between a seller or supplier and a consumer’

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1.2.1.1. The definitions of ‘seller or supplier’ and ‘consumer’

1.2.1.2. Contracts concluded between a seller or supplier and a consumer

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1.2.2. Not individually negotiated contract terms (Article 3(1) and (2) UCTD) (61)

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1.2.3. Exclusion of contract terms reflecting mandatory statutory or regulatory provisions (Article 1(2) UCTD)

1.2.4. Interplay with other EU legislation

Subparagraph

1.2.5. Application of the UCTD to traders established in third countries

2. RELATIONSHIP WITH NATIONAL LAW, INCLUDING MINIMUM HARMONISATION

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2.1. Minimum harmonisation and extension of scope (Article 8 and 8a UCTD), including the role of national supreme courts

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2.2. Other provisions of national law

Subparagraph

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3. THE GENERAL UNFAIRNESS TEST AND TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Unfairness and transparency in general

3.2. Contract terms relating to the main subject matter of the contract or the price and remuneration (Article 4(2) UCTD)

Subparagraph

3.2.1. Contract terms relating to the definition of the main subject matter of the contract

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Subparagraph

3.2.2. Contract terms relating to the price and remuneration

3.3. Transparency requirements

3.3.1. Transparency requirements under the UCTD

3.3.2. Transparency requirements stemming from other EU acts

Subparagraph

3.4. Unfairness assessment under Articles 3 and 4(1) UCTD

3.4.1. The framework for the assessment under Articles 3(1) and 4(1)

3.4.2. The relevance of statutory provisions and the significance of the imbalance

Subparagraph

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3.4.3. Sanctions or consequences of the consumer's failure to comply with contractual obligations

3.4.4. Possible unfairness of the price or remuneration

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Subparagraph

3.4.5. Circumstances at the time of the conclusion of the contract

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3.4.6. Relevance of lack of transparency for the unfairness of contract terms

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Subparagraph

3.4.7. Role of the Annex referred to in Article 3(3) UCTD

4. NON-BINDING CHARACTER OF UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS (ARTICLE 6(1) UCTD)

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4.1. The nature and role of Article 6(1) UCTD in the protection against unfair contract terms

4.2. The legal effect of ‘not being binding on the consumer’

4.3. Consequences of the unfairness of contract terms for the rights and obligations of the parties

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4.3.1. The principle: Setting aside unfair contract terms and prohibition from revising them

4.3.2. The exception: Filling gaps in the contract to avoid its nullity

4.3.3. The application of supplementary provisions in other cases

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4.3.4. Possible application of unfair contract terms despite their unfairness? (327)

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4.4. Restitution of advantages obtained through unfair contract terms

5. REMEDIES AND PROCEDURAL GUARANTEES REQUIRED BY ARTICLES 6(1) AND 7(1) UCTD

5.1. The significance of Articles 6(1) and 7(1) UCTD and of the principles of equivalence and effectiveness in general

5.2. The principle of ex officio control of unfair contract terms (377)

5.2.1. Link to Articles 6(1) and 7(1)

5.2.2. Relationship with principles of civil procedure

Subparagraph

5.2.3. Ex officio control and total passivity on the part of the consumer

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5.3. Obligations stemming from the principle of equivalence

5.3.1. Ex officio control of unfair contract terms

5.3.2. Other obligations based on the principle of equivalence

Subparagraph

5.4. Ex officio assessment and the effectiveness of remedies

5.4.1. The applicable test

5.4.2. Relevant factors for the effectiveness of remedies

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Rules on jurisdiction

Legal fees and obligation to take a lawyer

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Need to justify the use of the remedy

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Availability of interim measures

Lack of knowledge and information

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Res judicata and limitation periods in general

5.5. What does ex officio control imply?

5.5.1. Fundamental obligations

5.5.2. Aspects to be examined

Subparagraph

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5.5.3. Availability of the necessary legal and factual elements

5.5.4. Conclusions to be drawn from the unfairness assessment

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5.6. Implications of ex officio control, effectiveness and equivalence for the national rules of procedure

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5.7. Ex officio control of unfair contract terms and out-of-court proceedings

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6. INJUNCTIONS IN THE COLLECTIVE INTEREST OF CONSUMERS (ARTICLE 7(2) AND (3) UCTD)

List of Court cases mentioned in this Notice

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ANNEX II

Overview of notifications under Article 8a UCTD (1)

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