EU legal guarantee notice guide for sellers
Prepare the official harmonised notice for consumer-goods sales from 27 September 2026, without confusing statutory legal guarantee rights with a voluntary commercial guarantee.
Last verified against official EU sources: 26 August 2026What changes on 27 September 2026?
Sellers of consumer goods in the EU must use the mandatory harmonised notice to inform consumers about their legal guarantee rights. The notice is a standard official format and applies independently from the GARAN label.
It communicates statutory rights consumers already have under the applicable consumer-law framework. Existing consumer-law obligations can apply before the new notice date.
Legal guarantee versus commercial guarantee
Statutory legal guarantee
A consumer-law right relating to conformity of goods. The harmonised notice highlights the main right, available solutions and how consumers can seek redress. The exact legal period can vary by country, with at least two years under the EU baseline described by official consumer guidance.
Voluntary commercial guarantee
An additional promise offered by a producer or seller under stated terms. It cannot remove statutory rights. A qualifying producer guarantee of durability may enter the separate GARAN label regime.
Display and file rules to plan for
- Use the official harmonised notice supplied through the European Commission's downloadable files.
- Do not edit or redesign fixed elements of the official notice, including its QR code.
- Display the notice prominently in the relevant consumer journey rather than hiding it in general terms or a distant footer.
- For online use, use the colour version. For printed use, official guidance states that it cannot be smaller than A4 and may be colour or black and white.
- Select the appropriate official language version for the market and review applicable Member State requirements.
Common readiness gaps
Using custom warranty copy
Store warranty wording or a custom icon is not a substitute for the official harmonised legal guarantee notice.
Editing the official graphic
Cropping, replacing text, modifying the QR code or rebuilding the layout can undermine use of the harmonised format.
Wrong channel version
An online interface needs the colour presentation. Physical and online channels should be mapped separately.
Confusing the notice with GARAN
The notice communicates statutory legal guarantee rights; GARAN marks a qualifying commercial guarantee of durability. One does not automatically replace or trigger the other.
Implementation checklist
- Map each consumer-goods channel: online interface, physical location or both.
- Download the current official notice assets from the European Commission source.
- Choose the official language version required for each target market.
- Keep every fixed element unchanged and confirm the QR code remains readable.
- Use the colour version online and confirm print size and colour treatment for physical use.
- Place the notice prominently in the relevant consumer journey and test desktop and mobile rendering.
- Review national implementation, contract scope and special categories such as second-hand goods.
- Document the asset version, language, placement and approval date for later evidence.
Legal guarantee notice FAQ
Can I replace the notice with my terms and conditions?
The new requirement uses an official harmonised notice. General terms can contain additional legally required information but are not the same implementation asset.
Is the GARAN label required whenever the notice is required?
No. The two assets can apply independently. GARAN depends on a qualifying producer commercial guarantee of durability and related trigger facts.
Does the checker certify my store?
No. It produces readiness signals from your answers and cannot inspect the complete consumer journey, national law, contracts or every product fact.
Primary sources
What changed
- — Published the seller implementation guide, rechecked the 27 September date and official asset guidance, and linked it to the live notice checker.