Starting September 27, 2026, new EU obligations for labeling warranties and guarantees apply to all merchants — whether in-store or online. Two new labels are coming: the Legal Guarantee Label and the GARAN Label. Anyone who doesn't act now risks warning letters (Abmahnungen).
What is the Legal Guarantee Label?
The Legal Guarantee Label is mandatory for all merchants selling goods to consumers. It informs buyers about their statutory rights regarding defects — for example, that a minimum legal guarantee period of two years applies across the EU.
It is based on EU Directive 2024/825, which creates uniform standards for all member states.
In brick-and-mortar retail, the label must be displayed at least in A4 format and in a prominent way — for example as a wall poster or an acrylic stand at the checkout counter. Online, it must be clearly visible in the product listing or at checkout.
What must be included on the Legal Guarantee Label?
Notice of the statutory minimum guarantee (2 years EU-wide)
Name and address of the selling merchant
A way to contact them regarding defect claims
What is the GARAN Label?
The GARAN Label concerns voluntary manufacturer guarantees. It is only mandatory if a free durability guarantee is offered that covers the entire product — and only for more than 24 months.
In short: under two years of guarantee — no GARAN Label needed. The obligation only kicks in from a duration of 25 months. The harmonized design applies EU-wide in all official languages.
What changes for online merchants?
The same labeling obligations apply in online shops as in brick-and-mortar retail. The Legal Guarantee Label must be clearly embedded — via download link, embedded image, or in the checkout process.
Technically, this means concrete changes for shop operators:
Revise product page templates
Embed standardized EU label graphics
Update terms and conditions and legal notices
Check the checkout flow for compliance
Right to Repair — another deadline
In parallel, the so-called 'Right to Repair' applies starting July 31, 2026: merchants and manufacturers must offer consumers repairs under reasonable conditions. This complements the new labeling obligations and further expands consumer rights in the area of warranties.
What merchants should do now
The September 27, 2026 deadline is closer than it seems — starting early leaves time to test:
Review your product portfolio: which items need which label?
Obtain EU label templates (free via the Your Europe Portal)
Adapt and test your online shop templates
Order printed materials for brick-and-mortar retail
Seek legal advice if uncertain
The official templates are available for free: Your Europe Portal (EU) — all language versions are available there. The legally binding label graphics (Annexes I & II) can be found directly in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1960 on EUR-Lex.
Conclusion
The Legal Guarantee Label is new, but the consumer rights behind it are not. The EU is now creating uniform transparency — and a clear need for merchants to act. Online shops need technical adjustments, brick-and-mortar merchants need physical materials. Anyone who implements both early is on the safe side and avoids costly warning letters.
Do you have questions about technically implementing the new EU label obligations in your online shop? Our team at eazyCode is happy to help, with no obligation — we respond within 24 hours.