Consumer Rights
Consumer protection, refunds, faulty goods, unfair contracts, scams, the CCPC, small claims, and online shopping rights under Irish and EU law.
Covered in this guide:
If something you bought in Ireland is faulty or not as described, the Consumer Rights Act 2022 gives you a hierarchy of remedies — repair or replacement first, then price reduction or refund — and now covers digital content too. Online and doorstep purchases get a 14-day cooling-off under SI 484/2013. Hire-purchase runs under the Consumer Credit Act 1995, data under the Data Protection Act 2018. The CCPC enforces against traders, and the Small Claims Court takes claims up to €2,000 for €25, no solicitor needed. Cross-border disputes go to ECC Ireland.
Key Laws
Consumer Rights Act 2022
No. 37 of 2022
Goods, services, digital content standards
Consumer Credit Act 1995
No. 24 of 1995
Hire-purchase, consumer credit regulation
Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014
No. 29 of 2014
CCPC establishment, enforcement powers
Data Protection Act 2018
No. 7 of 2018
GDPR implementation, personal data rights
Consumer Rights Act 2022
The Consumer Rights Act 2022 is the main law protecting consumers in Ireland when buying goods, services, or digital content. It replaced much of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980. Key...
Refunds and Returns
Your right to a refund depends on why you want to return the item:Faulty or not as described: You have a legal right to a remedy — repair, replacement, price reduction, or full refund. The trader bear...
Unfair Contract Terms
Under Irish law, contract terms that are unfair to the consumer are not binding. A term is unfair if:It was not individually negotiated (i.e., it was a standard pre-drafted term).It creates a signific...
Small Claims Procedure
The Small Claims Procedure is a quick, cheap, and informal way to resolve consumer disputes through the District Court:Claims up to €2,000.The filing fee is just €25.You do not need a solicitor — the...
Online Shopping and Digital Rights
When you buy online from an Irish or EU trader, you have strong protections:14-day cooling-off period: You can cancel and return goods for any reason within 14 days of delivery.Clear information: Befo...
CCPC and Consumer Enforcement
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is Ireland's statutory body for consumer protection and competition enforcement. It can:Investigate complaints about misleading practices, unf...
Scams and Fraud Protection
Consumer fraud and scams are criminal offences in Ireland. Common types include:Phishing: Fake emails or texts pretending to be from banks, Revenue, or delivery companies to steal your personal data.V...
Product Safety
All consumer products placed on the Irish market must be safe. Producers and distributors have a legal obligation to ensure products do not pose a risk to consumers.A product is considered safe if it...