The new EU guarantee label, GARAN
Dirk EichlerWhile the European e-commerce sector is still actively working on implementation, we are already introducing the European Union’s new, stringent consumer protection label weeks before the legal deadline. This is in response to the far-reaching Empowering Consumers Directive (EU) 2024/825, which was further specified by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1960.
Starting September 27, 2026, all online retailers in the EU must visually inform consumers about their statutory rights regarding defects and voluntary manufacturer warranties using a standardized Harmonized Notice and the so-called GARAN label.
The devil is in the details
The real challenge - especially for smaller companies without their own graphics department - lies in the details: The “high-resolution vector files” provided by the European Commission on March 19, 2026, in the Official Practical Guidelines are proving problematic in practice. For example, the SVG files cannot be imported without loss of quality in some older graphics programs. The accompanying JPG files, in turn, are unusable for professional purposes due to their low resolution and poor compression. Furthermore, it raises questions as to why the EU does not use the official ISO country codes for the file names but instead uses seemingly arbitrary three-letter abbreviations (e.g., DEN and ENG).
Pioneering Work
Instead of waiting for official updates or guidance from Brussels, our team took the initiative and successfully completed the technical integration despite these challenges. The result is a seamless and elegant integration that preserves our platform’s minimalist gallery design while offering maximum consumer security:
- Interactive Nested Label (GARAN): The EU Nested Label has been implemented on the product pages for the exclusive WALL ART and ART EDITION collections. Clicking on it opens a full-screen, centered pop-up window containing the legally compliant EU disclosure regarding our 5-year durability guarantee. This ensures we meet the requirements for pre-contractual information.
- Shopping Cart Compliance: The Nested Label is displayed line by line - both in the expandable shopping cart panel and on the main shopping cart page - directly next to the wall art items to which the guarantee applies.
Language-Specific EU Notice in the Footer: The official blue EU warranty emblem has been embedded directly above our “MADE IN GERMANY” seal. The system automatically detects the browser language and redirects both German and English customers to the official PDF information sheet in a matter of seconds. - Transparent warranty terms: The separate landing page (/pages/haltbarkeitsgarantie) contains the required wording, the free warranty notice, the name of the warranty provider, and the exact terms
As a long-standing regular customer, you naturally know that we have been proactively implementing most of the EU’s current requirements - such as transparent warranty terms - for years. We also never engaged in “greenwashing” long before it became a legal requirement - honest product communication and genuine quality have always been standard practice for us, not just marketing buzzwords.
The new EU Directive 2024/825 therefore addresses not only warranties but also environmental claims in depth. Generic environmental claims are prohibited; for example, terms such as “environmentally friendly,” “ecological,” “green,” or “climate-neutral” may no longer be used broadly on the website as of September 2026 without recognized, independent verification or certification.
Thanks to the properties of Alu-Dibond, all of our wall art pieces are designed for extreme durability and maintain their shape. The composite structure - consisting of solid aluminum and a robust core - allows us to use materials that, at the end of their life cycle, can be separated by material type using specialized thermal-mechanical separation processes (delamination) and recycled at a rate of nearly 100%. Thanks to highly efficient UV-resistant inks, we also guarantee color fastness for decades, which effectively prevents premature wear and unnecessary use of resources; furthermore, all of our packaging components are 100% recyclable in accordance with the PPWR, and you can find the corresponding EU declarations of conformity in our download section.
By implementing the EU directive ahead of schedule - following the transparent and very early introduction of the EU cancellation button in February 2026 - we are once again demonstrating that a pioneering digital spirit, uncompromising legal certainty, and a commitment to premium visual design in modern e-commerce go hand in hand.
Below you’ll find a checklist of what you need to keep in mind if you’re an online retailer or store owner.
Checklist: How to Implement the GARAN Regulation
In E-Commerce (Online Stores & Marketplaces)
- Permanent Store Integration: Post the standardized EU notice (notice regarding consumer rights in case of defects) as a PDF permanently on the website.
- Display the GARAN Label: Place the visual EU warranty label in color directly on the product page, provided a qualified manufacturer’s warranty is available.
- Display in the shopping cart: Display the visual GARAN label prominently in the shopping cart area for customers to see clearly next to the applicable products.
- Include with order confirmation: The official PDF of the EU notice must be attached to the automatic order confirmation email.
In brick-and-mortar retail (stores)
- Display of the EU Notice: The harmonized notice must be displayed in a clearly visible location within the sales area (e.g., as a wall poster at the entrance or a stand near the cash registers).
- Comply with minimum size requirements: For physical display in the store, a minimum size of DIN A4 is required by law.
- GARAN label on the product: The warranty label must be affixed directly to the product packaging, the product itself, or on the store shelf (minimum size: 95 × 100 mm).
- Permitted grayscale versions: Unlike in online retail, black-and-white printing is permitted in brick-and-mortar stores in addition to the preferred color version.
Mandatory requirements for both channels
- Verify the durability guarantee: Use the GARAN label exclusively for voluntary, free manufacturer durability guarantees that extend beyond two years.
- Leave the QR code unchanged: The integrated QR code is an integral part of the EU template, links directly to the EU’s “Your Europe” portal, and must not be altered or redirected.
- Enter product data: Only the three designated, editable fields in the GARAN label (warranty period, brand, and model number) may be modified.
Consequences of Noncompliance
Risk of Cease-and-Desist Letters in Case of Violation: Incorrect, missing, or tampered-with labels and notices constitute a clear violation of competition law and can immediately result in costly cease-and-desist letters from competitors or consumer protection organizations.
Important Note: This article is intended solely for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Despite careful review, we assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the content. For legal questions regarding specific cases, retailers should seek qualified legal advice. Below are some additional links on this topic:
Official EU files and information available for download:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees/index_de.htm
Information on Integration and Legal Classification:
https://www.seo-kueche.de/blog/gewaehrleistungs-und-garantielabel-ab-september-2026/
