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May 2026 – The European Union's Directive (EU) 2024/825, commonly referred to as the Green Transition Directive (the "Directive"), represents a significant step forward in the EU's legislative effort to align consumer protection rules with the objectives of the European Green Deal. By amending Directive 2005/29/EC on unfair commercial practices and Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights, the Directive introduces a comprehensive set of rules designed to empower consumers to make informed and sustainable purchasing decisions.
The Directive primarily targets business-to-consumer relationships. Its obligations fall on economic operators, who are required to adhere to stricter standards in respect of marketing communications, product information, and sustainability-related claims. Among its key measures, the Directive introduces tighter rules on environmental and sustainability claims and labels, prohibits certain misleading green claims, and mandates enhanced pre-contractual disclosure, including information on product durability, repairability, software update availability, and both legal and commercial warranty rights.
Specifically, in the area of warranties and guarantees, the Directive introduces harmonised labelling and information requirements relating to statutory warranties (legal guarantees) and voluntary commercial guarantees of durability. These measures aim to reduce consumer confusion, prevent misleading representations regarding product lifespan, and ensure that consumers are clearly informed of their existing rights under national law.
Overview of transposition progress
Member States were required to transpose the Green Transition Directive into national law by 27 March 2026. The transposed national measures must become applicable from 27 September 2026. As the transposition deadline has now passed, we present the specifics of the transposition status overview across our EU jurisdictions in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The overviews reflect the state of transposition as of May 2026.
| Austria | ||||
| Transposition status: In progress | Transposition is carried out through the Consumer Rights Amendment Act and an amendment to the Unfair Competition Act.
The ministerial draft of the Consumer Rights Amendment Act was submitted to parliament on 12 February 2026. Neither of the amending acts has completed the legislative process in parliament. |
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| Bulgaria | ||||
| Transposition status: In progress | Transposition is at the preparatory legislative phase. A draft Law Amending the Consumer Protection Act has completed the public consultation phase but has not yet been submitted to parliament. If adopted, provisions will apply from 27 September 2026. | |||
| Croatia | ||||
| Transposition status: In progress | The final wording of the Amendments to the Consumer Protection Act was approved on 19 May 2026, and a parliamentary vote on adoption of the amendment is expected. | |||
| Czech Republic | ||||
| Transposition status: In progress |
The draft legislation amending the Consumer Protection Act and the Civil Code has concluded its first reading on 25 March 2026 and is currently undergoing revision proposals. Current draft legislation has split entry into force:
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| Hungary | ||||
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Transposition status: Completed |
Hungary transposed the Directive through Act XCIV of 2025, amending the Unfair Commercial Practices Act, effective 27 September 2026. | |||
| Romania | ||||
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Transposition status: Completed |
Government Emergency Ordinance no. 18/2026, published 26 March 2026, transposes the Directive through an amendment of the law on combating unfair commercial practices and the Government Emergency Ordinance on consumer rights in contracts concluded with professionals. | |||
| Slovakia | ||||
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Transposition status: Completed |
The transposition was concluded through Act no. 310/2025 Coll. amending the Consumer Protection Act, the Civil Code, and related legislation, with split entry into force:
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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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