EU warranty

Howlin

Is it true that under eu law all electronic equipment must have at least a 2 year warranty on it? and if it is true where can i find information about it

FreudianSlippers

This is just off the top of my head so I could be wrong, but I think it's in Directive 1999/44/EC.

Also, have a look at our Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 - it's a better starting point as it's national law and covers most grounds you'd need tbh.

ECC: Caroline

Hello Howlin,

There is a common misunderstanding that Directive 99/44/EC gives consumers a minimum two years guarantee for all goods purchased, but this is not the case.

This Directive provides a baseline of protection for consumers across the EU, laying down a common set of consumer rights valid no matter where in the EU the goods are purchased, which are enforceable during, at least, 2 years from delivery of the goods.

The Directive states that while member states may provide for a limitation on the period during which consumers can exercise their rights, this period must not expire within two years from the time of delivery.

However, this requirement is not a two-year legal guarantee period but rather the minimum timeframe during which the consumer rights set down in the Directive are enforceable.

In most European countries the limitation period is actually two years, although in some countries this prerogative is extended.

In Ireland neither the Sales of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980, nor the Irish transposition of Directive 99/44/EC mention any limitation period, and this is currently set by Section 6 of the Statute of Limitations, 1957, which is 6 years.