September 18, 2026, 11:30 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Manufacturer warranty promises are often difficult to compare. With the new GARAN label, the EU aims to change that and provide more transparency for buyers.
GARAN aims to provide more clarity
Today, when buying a smartphone, TV, or household appliance, consumers often encounter complicated warranty conditions. It’s not always immediately clear whether a manufacturer offers a voluntary warranty and how long it lasts. This is where the European Union’s new GARAN label comes in.
Starting September 27, 2026, the label will be introduced in all EU member states. It is designed to show consumers before purchase whether a manufacturer voluntarily guarantees the durability of its product. The goal is to make warranty commitments easier to compare and understand.
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How the new label works
The GARAN label consists of the word “GARAN,” a checkmark, a calendar symbol, and a year number. This number indicates how many years the manufacturer’s warranty is valid. The label is supplemented with information on the legal warranty and a QR code that provides further details.
For buyers, this makes it easier to answer a crucial question: How long does the manufacturer guarantee the functionality of its product? If the label shows the number 5, for example, it means a voluntary durability warranty of five years. If the device fails under normal use within this period, the manufacturer must repair or replace it free of charge. Companies must also disclose the specific terms of the warranty.
Warranty does not replace the legal warranty
However, it’s important to note: The GARAN label does not change statutory consumer rights. The EU’s legal warranty of at least two years remains in place. Individual member states may also provide for longer periods.
Additionally, starting September 27, retailers must visibly display a uniform EU warranty label. In physical stores, it should be placed in the sales area, and online, on the respective retailer’s pages. Therefore, those buying technology in the future should pay attention to both notices. The GARAN symbol does not automatically indicate particularly high product quality, but it does show the duration of a manufacturer’s voluntary warranty promise. The higher the indicated number of years, the longer this additional protection extends beyond the legal warranty.