From September 27, shops across the European Union, both in person and online, must display a clear notice about customers’ legal guarantee rights before a sale. The measure follows years of confusion among buyers over their protection when a product fails. Legal 500 says the new rules are intended to standardize information and help buyers distinguish the legal guarantee from additional commercial warranties at the point of sale.
EU law currently gives every consumer at least a two-year legal guarantee against defects or products that do not match what was promised. In Spain, the standard is higher: since 2022, new products have come with a three-year legal guarantee. Many people still do not know their rights, especially when brands promote additional commercial warranties. The European Commission aims to address this confusion by requiring shops to display the legal guarantee prominently. IHK Dresden says the new rules do not give consumers more rights; they make information clearer and more transparent.
The changes also introduce a new label, EU GARAN, for some products. It applies only when a manufacturer offers a free commercial durability guarantee lasting longer than two years and covering the whole product. When these conditions are met and the manufacturer provides all required details, shops must display the label prominently. It shows how many years the manufacturer promises the product will work as intended under normal use. If the product breaks down during that period, the manufacturer must repair or replace it free of charge. Sector experts caution that the GARAN label refers to a commercial guarantee, not a proven technical lifespan.
The label must state the commercial guarantee’s duration and identify the model, with the brand or manufacturer named as well. It can appear on the product or its packaging. Retailers can also place it on the shelf next to the item; online, it can sit beside the product image, as outlined by industry and legal sources. Only products that meet the commercial guarantee requirements will carry the EU GARAN label. Every shop, but, must display the general legal guarantee notice from September 27. The Portugal News reports that the two-part system is intended to prevent confusion between the basic legal guarantee and additional voluntary warranties.
The overhaul aims to cut through marketing and ensure buyers understand their legal protection, regardless of any extra warranties a brand offers. For shoppers in Spain, who already have a longer legal guarantee, the new rules are intended to make it harder for shops to blur the line between legal rights and optional extras.
Brussels is betting that consistent guarantee information will help people make better choices and avoid disputes. The system will take effect as shops and buyers get used to seeing rights set out clearly, rather than hidden in the fine print.
