From 27 September 2026, a new European instrument will come into force that redefines the way manufacturers communicate the lifespan of their products. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1960, adopted by the European Commission on 25 September 2025, introduces a mandatory harmonised label for the commercial durability guarantee, applicable across all Member States.
What is the commercial durability guarantee?
The commercial durability guarantee is a voluntary commitment by the manufacturer that certifies, in years, the ability of a product to maintain its functions and performance under normal conditions of use. If the product fails to meet this commitment within the stated period, the manufacturer is required to repair or replace it free of charge, with no additional costs to the consumer.
It is important to distinguish it from the legal guarantee of conformity, which is mandatory by law and lasts at least 2 years: the commercial durability guarantee is an addition to it, and never a replacement. The consumer continues to benefit from legal protection against the seller at all times, regardless of the existence of a commercial guarantee.
The conditions that make it valid
For a commercial guarantee to bear the EU harmonised label, it must meet precise and verifiable conditions:
- it must be offered directly by the manufacturer (not the retailer);
- it must have a duration of more than 2 years, a threshold deliberately set to clearly distinguish it from the minimum legal guarantee;
- it must cover the product in its entirety, not just individual components;
- it must be free of charge, with no additional costs to the consumer;
- it must be accompanied by a clear statement on a durable medium, specifying duration, conditions, consumer rights, after-sales procedures and the responsible party.
Once offered to the consumer, the guarantee is binding on the manufacturer, even though the decision to offer it remains voluntary.
Why it matters for businesses
Although the label remains voluntary, it represents a concrete competitive advantage for manufacturers who invest in quality and durability. It is the first legally standardised visual tool at European level that allows product longevity to be communicated in a credible, verifiable and consistent manner across all EU markets — a robust alternative to generic, uncertified environmental claims.
For companies intending to adopt it, the key operational deadline to keep in mind is 27 September 2026: from that date, the harmonised label must comply with the formats defined by Regulation 2025/1960 to be legally valid and recognised.