Amendment to the Consumer Protection Act 2026: what awaits online stores

What it is about and since when it applies

The amendment transfers two European directives aimed at the so-called green transformation and support for the repair of goods into Slovak law. Simply put, the goal is for the customer to receive more truthful information about the impact of the product on the environment and for it to be worthwhile to repair the goods instead of throwing them away.

The amendment has a so-called divided effect, meaning individual parts will come into effect gradually:

• from 1. 1. 2026
• from 31. 7. 2026
• from 27. 9. 2026

For the e-shop, this means that adjustments do not have to be made all at once. It can be divided into three phases and be completed without stress at the last minute.

New information obligations before purchase (from 27. 9. 2026)

This is likely the most specific change for e-shops. The merchant will have to clearly inform the customer of the following even before the purchase contract is concluded:

• the existence and main information about the legal liability for defects in the goods, including its duration, at least in the form of harmonized labeling,
• the existence and duration of liability for defects in digital content or digital services,
• a score rating of the repairability of the goods, if available,
• information about the availability and estimated costs of spare parts, if the manufacturer has made them available.

The explanatory report to the amendment states that in the case of an e-shop, the harmonized labeling of legal liability should be placed as a general reminder directly on the merchant's website. In practice, this means adjusting the terms and conditions, but also considering where and how to display this labeling on the product page or in the ordering process so that it is truly visible and not just buried in the footer.

Longer warranty after repair (from 31. 7. 2026)

If a customer chooses repair as a way to process a complaint, the warranty period will be extended by another twelve months after the first defect is removed. This does not directly relate to the website, but to the complaint process and internal procedures, so we recommend reviewing the complaint procedure and informing the team that handles complaints, possibly also the system in which complaints are recorded.

European form for repair information (from 31. 7. 2026)

The law adds a voluntary European form that repair shops have available to clearly state the conditions of repair (price, time, nature of the defect) to the customer. For the e-shops themselves, this is not a direct obligation, but if you collaborate with your own service or authorized repair shop, it is good to know that this option exists and to offer it to clients as added value.

Expanded list of prohibited practices (from 27. 9. 2026)

This section is worth discussing with marketing, not just with the web developer. The law's annex expands the list of misleading commercial practices with dozens of new points, several of which relate directly to common tactics used by e-shops. For example:

• environmental claims like "eco," "nature-friendly," or "carbon neutral" without being backed by specific evidence,
• displaying a sustainability label that does not come from a verified certification system,
• deceptive warnings about limited availability or time-limited offers aiming to trigger an immediate purchase without a real reason,
• publishing reviews without the merchant verifying that they come from actual customers who have purchased or used the product,
• hidden paid product placements in search results on the web without clear labeling.

If an e-shop uses timers on the product page, texts like "last pieces," or product ratings, it is time to verify these elements. The amendment does not prohibit urgency or reviews as such, it only requires that they reflect reality and can be proven.

What should the e-shop do in three steps

1. Terms and conditions and complaint procedure. Add information about liability for defects, extended warranty after repair, and possibly about digital content if you sell it.
2. Product page and ordering process. Add a visible but non-disruptive notice about legal liability for defects and consider where it makes sense to add information about repairability or spare parts.
3. Marketing texts and UX elements. Review environmental claims, timers, warnings about low stock, and review systems to ensure they comply with the new definition of misleading practices.

Given the divided effect, there is no need to resolve everything by the New Year. The first deadline is 31. 7. 2026 (warranty after repair), the second is 27. 9. 2026 (information obligations and misleading practices). This gives e-shops real time for preparation.

How we can help

At Metinas, we take care of the technical and content aspects of e-shops on Shopify and WooCommerce, including adjustments to terms and conditions, product pages, and marketing elements, ensuring they comply with current legislation while not hindering the conversion rate. If you are unsure which parts of your e-shop need to be adjusted according to this amendment, we would be happy to go through it together and prepare a specific plan of changes according to the deadlines for effectiveness.

This article serves informational purposes and does not substitute for legal advice. For specific steps, we recommend consulting a lawyer.