If you sell products to consumers in the European Union from September 27, 2026, new regulations under the “Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition” directive will require e-commerce stores to display specific, highly standardized notices regarding product warranties and durability.
As a WooCommerce developer, I want to help you prepare for these changes well ahead of the deadline. Here is a breakdown of what Regulation (EU) 2025/1960 requires, how it impacts your online store, and whether your specific business model is exempt.
The new legislation introduces two distinct visual assets for consumers to see before making a purchase. Both assets have strict design, color, and formatting requirements that can’t be modified to match your website’s theme.
1. The Harmonised Notice (Mandatory for Goods)
A mandatory notice to remind consumers of their right to the legal guarantee of conformity.
- What it is: Under EU law, consumers have a minimum two-year guarantee that a physical product will function as advertised. If it doesn’t, the seller is liable to repair, replace, or refund it.
- The Requirement: You must display this official notice prominently on your website before the customer “signs” the contract. Typically, displayed on the product page or during checkout.
- Online Display Rules: For e-commerce stores, this notice must be displayed in full color (using specific RGB values for Blue, Yellow, Black, and White). It includes a QR code that directs users to the “Your Europe” portal for more information.
2. The Harmonised Label (Voluntary)
This label, titled “GARAN”, represents a commercial guarantee of durability.
- What it is: This is a voluntary, extra guarantee offered by the producer (not necessarily the seller) stating the product will maintain its performance for a specific period longer than two years, at no extra cost to the consumer.
- The Requirement: If a producer offers this guarantee and provides you with the information, you are legally required to display this label to the consumer.
- Online Display Rules: Like the notice, it must be in full color. However, to save screen space, online interfaces are permitted to use a nested display. This means you can show a smaller icon that reveals the full label in its entirety upon a mouse click, hover (roll-over), or tactile screen expansion.
Implementing these changes in WooCommerce will require minor structural updates to your product pages and checkout flows. Because the European Commission strictly prohibits editing the text, colors, or layout of these assets, we cannot simply use CSS to blend them into your brand’s aesthetic.
The most user-friendly approach for WooCommerce is the “nested display” feature for GARAN labels. This way, your product pages remain uncluttered while staying 100% legally compliant.
Another question is if there are plugins that can help with this? Yes, the EU Withdrawal and Legal Guarantee Compliance plugin can help you become compliant with this new directive and with other directives like the EU Withdrawal directive that was discusses in this article.
If your store sells physical goods to the EU market, it is best to plan your technical updates early. Integrating fixed-asset banners, conditional logic for producer guarantees, and nested hover displays takes time to test properly across mobile and desktop devices. If you need assistance updating your WooCommerce store to meet these upcoming 2026 compliance standards, reach out so we can review your current product page templates.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified legal professional to ensure your store's specific operations comply with local and/or international regulations.
