MCCAA sets June 2026 deadline for new online withdrawal rules

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority has set a clear deadline for online retailers. From 19 June 2026, businesses selling goods or services online must provide a built-in withdrawal function on their website.

The rule applies to the exact page where the purchase is made. The MCCAA is mandating that the cancellation option is as easy to find and use as the buy button.

Consumers must be able to submit a withdrawal request entirely online without sending an email or calling customer service. The system must display an on-screen confirmation immediately after the request is submitted.

Traders are also required to send an acknowledgement on a durable medium, typically email, that records the date and time the withdrawal was received. Platforms must include a feature that lets users confirm their request was successfully recorded.

The changes target a long-standing imbalance. The MCCAA statement says the goal is to make withdrawing from a contract "as straightforward as entering into one."

For Maltese e-commerce operators, the compliance window is just over two years. The MCCAA is advising online sellers to contact the Office for Consumer Affairs for guidance on the new requirements.

Any business that fails to implement the on-site withdrawal function risks enforcement action after the June 2026 cutoff. The regulation covers both goods and digital services sold through local platforms.