From 27 September 2026, every trader selling physical goods to consumers in the EU must display the
harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity. Its design is set in law and may not be changed.
The European Commission's own file, English version. Colours, wording and layout are prescribed.
What is actually required
The rule comes from Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1960 under the EmpCo Directive (EU) 2024/825.
Article 3 of the regulation says simply: "It shall apply from 27 September 2026."
The notice is mandatory for goods covered by the legal guarantee.
Unaltered: none of its elements may be edited.
In colour online. Black and white is only allowed in a physical shop.
In the right language, because the QR code takes the shopper to their own country's rules.
Prominently shown, as pre-contractual information.
The GARAN label is a different thing
The GARAN label applies only to products where a producer voluntarily offers a free durability guarantee
of more than two years covering the whole product, and tells the seller about it. Then it is mandatory.
Everywhere else it must not be shown.
Why Germany moves first. Most member states enforce this through their authorities. Germany
has the Abmahnung: a competitor or a trade association sends a paid legal warning with a cease and desist
undertaking attached, and they do not call first.
The mistake that catches most shops
Not forgetting, but misplaced confidence. An app gets installed, the settings are filled in, the block is
never actually enabled in the theme or is dropped by the next theme update, and nobody looks. The shop is
marked as done and still shows nothing.
EU Guarantee Notice Check
Our Shopify app shows the official notice in all 24 EU languages, matched to the language each page is
served in, and then loads your live storefront to confirm it is really there. Every check is recorded with
its date. The notice itself is free on every plan.
The app is finished and its App Store listing is being prepared. Email us and we will send the install
link as soon as it is live.
No. It applies in all 27 EU member states from the same date, and to shops outside the EU that sell to EU consumers.
Can I redesign or retype the notice?
No. The Commission publishes the file in all 24 official languages, and editing any element is expressly forbidden.
Is a link in the footer enough?
The Commission's own guidance accepts a general reminder on the website for online sales. Placing it on the product page is the safer reading, because that is where the purchase decision is made.
What happens if it is missing?
In Germany, most likely a paid legal warning from a competitor or association. In other member states, enforcement by the national authorities with the penalties they provide for.
Do I need an app for this?
Not strictly. You can place the official file yourself. The ongoing work is the part that follows: the right language per market, colour online, and checking that it survives theme changes.