New rules on consumer complaints? An obligation to repair products even after the statutory liability period has expired? Labelling a product as “eco” without evidence? All of this is introduced by two legislative proposals currently under consideration in the Chamber of Deputies. These include a significant amendment to the Consumer Protection Act and to the Civil Code (Parliamentary Print 53/0), as well as a new Act on Certain Obligations Related to Product Repair (Parliamentary Print 62/0). Both proposals are still in their first reading and therefore remain at a relatively early stage of the legislative process.
Given the clear wording of the transposed EU Directives (2024/825 and 2024/1799), the final versions can be expected to largely correspond to the current proposals. The legislator anticipates the new rules will take effect gradually in the second half of 2026. Below, we outline the most significant impacts for entrepreneurs.
Extended period for exercising rights arising from defective performance
As part of the push for sustainability, the amendment introduces new rules on handling consumer complaints in B2C relationships. If, during the complaint procedure, it is determined that the defect is to be remedied by repair, the period for consumers to exercise their rights arising from defective performance will be extended to three years. Similarly, where a used product is sold and the parties contractually reduce the period for exercising rights arising from defective performance, any repair will extend this agreed period by an additional year.
Where a complaint is made, sellers will now be obliged to inform consumers about this mechanism for extending the period for notification of defects.
This significant change is scheduled to take effect as early as 31 July 2026, provided the amendment is adopted in time— which currently remains uncertain.
Harmonised notice and harmonised label
From 27 September 2026, new obligations regarding pre‑contractual information duties are expected to apply. Entrepreneurs will now be obliged to inform consumers of their rights arising from defective performance and, where applicable, of any quality guarantee (if provided), using a harmonised notice (statutory rights arising from defective performance) and a harmonised label (quality guarantee). The required format of the harmonised notice and of the harmonised label is set out in Commission Implementing Regulation 2025/1960. This obligation to make the harmonised notice and the harmonised label available will apply both to sales in brick-and-mortar stores and to online sales (e-shops).
The right to repair
The draft Act on Certain Obligations Related to Product Repair introduces new obligations for manufacturers to repair selected products even after the statutory liability period for defects has expired. Consumers will be entitled to request repairs directly from manufacturers, who must provide clear information on the expected repair costs and conditions and must not obstruct repairs, even if another repairer has already intervened. The legislation also establishes a new European online repair platform intended to help consumers find repairers. This legislation applies only to selected product categories, including washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and mobile phones. In this context, manufacturers will also be required to publish relevant information on their websites. The legislation is currently expected to take effect from 31 July 2026.
Environmental claims
The legislative changes also introduce new rules governing claims about the environmental characteristics of products. Environmental claims made by entrepreneurs — for example, labelling a product as “eco” — will no longer be permitted unless such claims can be clearly substantiated.
Environmental claims will not be limited to advertising communications alone, but may also include product labels, brand names, entrepreneur's name, or the names of products and services.
In relation to products, it will now be prohibited to present an environmental claim as applying to an entire product where it in fact relates only to its specific component. For example, it will no longer be permissible to label a product as “environmentally friendly” where only its packaging could reasonably be considered as such.
These changes are expected to take effect from 27 September 2026.
At the EU level, further legislative activity aimed at strengthening the fight against greenwashing may follow. A proposed EU Green Claims Directive (EU GCD) is currently in preparation and would further regulate environmental claims and their verification procedures. However, the European Commission has temporarily paused the legislative process due to concerns that adoption of the Directive could impose a disproportionate burden on micro‑entrepreneurs, which account for 96% of all entrepreneurs in the EU.
Intentional reduction of product lifespan
The already extensive list of prohibited misleading commercial practices, which have significant implications for the business activities of virtually all entrepreneurs, will be further expanded.
Newly prohibited practices will include software updates or other mechanisms that intentionally and adversely affect a purchased product or reduce its lifespan.
It will also be prohibited to withhold information that the use of a spare part supplied by a third party—other than the original manufacturer—will impair product functionality. At the same time, it will be prohibited to claim that such impairment will occur under these conditions if this is not in fact true.
The amendment will affect almost all entrepreneurs operating in the Czech Republic. New rules on complaints, information obligations, and product labelling will require sellers to reflect these changes not only in their contractual documentation, but also in internal policies and, in particular, their established day‑to‑day practices.
If you would like guidance on how to prepare for the amendment, feel free toto contact us. We will be happy to advise on the practical implementation of the new requirements.
