Note: This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For a legally binding assessment, please consult a qualified lawyer.
TL;DR
- The legal guarantee and a manufacturer guarantee are two independent things - many stores confuse them.
- The legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory, always applies and lasts at least two years (Directive (EU) 2019/771; §§ 434 et seq. BGB).
- The commercial guarantee of durability is voluntary and offered by the producer - free of charge, for the entire good, for more than two years.
- Only this producer guarantee gets the EU GARAN label, with the fields brand, model and duration (years).
- In Germany, § 479 BGB governs the mandatory content of the guarantee statement.
- In the EU warranty label for Shopify, the GARAN label appears only where a real producer guarantee exists.
Legal guarantee of conformity: mandatory and always valid
The legal guarantee of conformity is the statutory right of consumers in case of defective goods. It:
- applies automatically to every purchase, without the seller having to promise it,
- runs for at least two years from delivery (shorter for used goods, but at least one year),
- obliges the seller to provide free remedies: repair or replacement, and in certain cases a price reduction or full refund.
The legal basis is the Sale of Goods Directive (EU) 2019/771, implemented in Germany in §§ 434 et seq., 437 BGB. The harmonised notice (the "EU warranty label") reminds consumers of exactly these rights - mandatory from 27 September 2026, see EU warranty label: mandatory from 27 Sept 2026.
Manufacturer guarantee: voluntary and additional
A guarantee is a voluntary promise - usually by the producer. It comes in addition to the legal guarantee and must not restrict it. A special case is the commercial guarantee of durability: the producer guarantees that a product remains durable for a certain period.
Under the EU rules, the GARAN label is reserved exclusively for this durability guarantee, and only where it is:
- offered by the producer (not the seller),
- granted at no extra cost to consumers,
- covering the entire good (not just a component),
- lasting more than two years.
In Germany, a guarantee statement must contain certain mandatory information under § 479 BGB (including the reference to the unaffected statutory rights, the content of the guarantee, the name/address of the guarantor, and its duration and scope).
The EU GARAN label in detail
The GARAN label has a language-neutral design, combined with "producer guarantee in years" in all 24 EU official languages. It consists of fixed and editable elements.
Fixed elements (non-editable)
- the wording "GARAN" (meaning "guarantee" in many EU languages) with a tick-mark symbol,
- the shield logo with the "G" and the EU circle of stars (recalling the EU-wide legal guarantee),
- the QR code to the "Your Europe" portal on the durability guarantee,
- the calendar symbol for the duration in years,
- the translation "producer guarantee in years" in all 24 official languages (an integral part that must not be removed).
Editable fields (to be filled in by the producer)
- XX - the duration in years (full numbers such as 3, 5, 8, 11; if needed also ",5" like 2.5 or 4.5 - no other decimals allowed),
- Brand/Trademark - the producer's name,
- Model identifier - the specific model.
Nested label for the web
For space-limited digital contexts there is the "nested label" - a compact variant showing only the XX (years) field. The full label must appear on the first click, roll-over or tap, always with accessible text and a link.
Who does what? Producer vs. seller
- Producers decide on the guarantee, fill in the editable fields and describe the terms in the guarantee statement.
- Sellers display the GARAN label so consumers can easily identify which product benefits - and ensure it is clearly visible.
- Sellers should not actively research the guarantee information from the producer (e.g. on product websites), but rely on the information the producer provides.
Common mistakes - when GARAN must NOT be used
- Guarantee of two years or less → no GARAN (the minimum is "more than two years").
- Guarantee covering only a component instead of the entire good → no GARAN.
- Guarantee is paid → no GARAN.
- Other types of commercial guarantees must not carry the GARAN label, to avoid confusing consumers.
- Altering colours, layout, typography or the QR code is not permitted.
Setting it up in Shopify
In the EU warranty label for Shopify you store the GARAN label per product with brand, model and duration - it appears only where a real producer guarantee exists. The official legal-guarantee notice (mandatory) runs independently and automatically. Whether a GARAN-eligible guarantee exists is your decision as the merchant, based on the producer's information; the app is a technical tool and not legal advice.
FAQ
Is "legal guarantee" the same as "guarantee"? No. The legal guarantee is a statutory right (mandatory, at least 2 years). A guarantee is a voluntary promise, usually by the producer.
Do I, as a seller, need a GARAN label? Only if a producer offers a suitable free durability guarantee of more than two years for a product and provides you with the information.
Can I label my own seller guarantee as GARAN? No - the GARAN label is reserved for the durability guarantee offered by the producer.
What does § 479 BGB require? Mandatory content of the guarantee statement, including the reference to the unaffected statutory rights, the content of the guarantee, and the name and address of the guarantor.
Further reading:
- EU warranty label for Shopify
- EU warranty label: mandatory from 27 Sept 2026 (Regulation (EU) 2025/1960)
- Set up the EU warranty label in Shopify: step by step
Primary legal sources: Directive (EU) 2019/771 (Art. 17) · § 479 BGB · Regulation (EU) 2025/1960 · Your Europe - Commercial guarantee of durability