A guarantee of durability is a voluntary promise that a product will work for a certain period. If the producer gives it, EU law calls it a commercial guarantee of durability: the producer is then directly liable to the consumer for repair or replacement. If the producer guarantees the entire good for more than two years at no extra cost, traders must show the GARAN label since 27 September 2026.
Definition: what is a guarantee of durability?
EU law knows the producer’s commercial guarantee of durability: the producer is directly liable to the consumer for repair or replacement during the entire guarantee period (Art. 17(1) of the Sale of Goods Directive (EU) 2019/771; Art. 2(14a) of the Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU as amended by Directive (EU) 2024/825). In Germany, national law describes a guarantee of durability as a promise that the goods keep a certain quality for a certain period. If a defect occurs during that period, German law presumes that it gives rise to rights under the guarantee. The EU directives do not contain this presumption.
For the producer, a guarantee of durability is voluntary. It applies in addition to the legal guarantee and does not replace it.
Guarantee of durability, legal guarantee, other guarantees: the difference
| Who is liable? | Voluntary? | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal guarantee | Seller | No at least two years | Legal guarantee notice |
| Producer’s guarantee of durability | Producer | Yes | GARAN label, if free of charge, entire good, more than two years |
| Guarantee of quality (German law) | Guarantor | Yes | None of its own |
| Trader’s own guarantee | Trader | Yes | Not the GARAN label |
German law also distinguishes a guarantee of quality, which promises certain features of the goods, from a guarantee of durability, which promises that the goods keep these features for a certain period. More on the difference between the legal guarantee and commercial guarantees: Legal guarantee or commercial guarantee.
Examples: when a guarantee of durability triggers the GARAN label
| Example | GARAN label? |
|---|---|
| Producer gives a free 5-year guarantee on the entire washing machine | Yes |
| Producer gives a 10-year guarantee, but only on the motor | No not the entire good |
| Producer gives 3 years if the customer pays €49 | No not free of charge |
| Trader gives its own 3-year guarantee | No not from the producer |
| Producer gives exactly 2 years | No not more than two years |
All five conditions in detail, including the cases that are still open, such as “lifetime” guarantees: When the GARAN label is mandatory.
Guarantee of durability and the EmpCo Directive
The EmpCo Directive (EU) 2024/825 made the guarantee of durability more visible. If the producer gives it for the entire good, for more than two years and at no extra cost, the trader must mark it with the GARAN label since 27 September 2026: next to the product and directly before the order. What the label looks like is laid down in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1960. The official term in the EU legal texts is “commercial guarantee of durability”.
Create a GARAN label for your guarantee of durability
In the GARAN label generator, enter the guarantee period, brand and model and get the label straight away, free and without sign-up. One label applies throughout the EU because it contains all official languages. On Shopify, our app adds it automatically for each product.
Frequently asked questions
What is a guarantee of durability?
A voluntary promise that a product keeps its features for a certain period. If the producer gives it, the producer is directly liable to the consumer for repair or replacement (Art. 17(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/771).
Is a guarantee of durability the same as the legal guarantee?
No. The legal guarantee is required by law and is directed at the seller. A guarantee of durability is voluntary and comes on top, usually from the producer.
When do I need the GARAN label for a guarantee of durability?
When the producer gives it for the entire good, for more than two years at no extra cost, and makes that information available to you. Then the GARAN label must appear next to the product and directly before the order.
Is a durability guarantee the same as a commercial guarantee of durability?
In everyday language, yes. “Commercial guarantee of durability” is the term used in the EU legal texts. Traders also say durability guarantee or guarantee of durability.
Does a guarantee only on the battery count for the GARAN label?
No. For the GARAN label, the guarantee must cover the entire good. A guarantee only on individual parts such as the motor or the battery is not enough.