Follow-up study on EU harmonised guarantee label and notice

Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË – Tel. +32 22991111

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR JUSTICE AND CONSUMERS

Directorate B – Consumers

Unit B.1 – Consumer Policy and Sustainability

Brussels JUST.B.1

Subject: Gathering stakeholder insights on design of EU harmonised label for

commercial guarantees of durability and EU harmonised notice for the

legal guarantee of conformity

Dear Madam, dear Sir,

The European Commission and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency

would highly welcome your input to a newly launched study undertaken by Ipsos, LE Europe and

EY. The study will help the European Commission to design an EU harmonised label for specific

commercial guarantees of durability and an EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of

conformity, as required by Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the

transition.(1)

The main aim of the harmonised label is to assist consumers in taking better informed decisions

and stimulate demand for, and supply of, consumer goods with a longer lifespan. The main aim of

the harmonised notice is to remind consumers about the existence and the main elements of the

legal guarantee of conformity.

The study will gather insights on how the label and notice should be designed so they are easily

recognisable and understandable for consumers, as well as easy to use and reproduce for traders

and producers. Your organisation has been identified as one of the key stakeholders whose input

to the study is crucial. Your feedback is of utmost importance to ensure that existing knowledge,

expertise and different perspectives are taken into account. Your responses will be treated

confidentially and only be used for the purpose for which it was requested. Any personal data

collected will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and GDPR.

In case of any further questions, you can reach out to the project team ([email protected],

[email protected]) or EU officials responsible ([email protected],

[email protected], [email protected]).

Thank you for your participation.

Daniela BANKIER

Head of Unit

c.c.: Jeroen VAN LAER; Benedicte VAN ORMELINGEN; Jana HOSKOVA; Anne

SEEKINGS-LE QUEMENT; ve_just.b.1

(1) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/825/oj

Electronically signed

Electronically signed on 25/07/2024 10:47 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121

1

© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

The content of this survey, including the images of labels and legal notices, is confidential and must not be shared or distributed outside of your organisation.

LANGUAGE

L1. [Single response] Please select the language in which you would like to complete the survey:

1. English 2. German 3. French 4. Polish

[provide correct language variant depending on answer on L1]

Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Harmonised notice and

harmonised label

SECOND STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

Gathering insights from stakeholders via a validation design survey

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

INTRODUCTION

Dear Participant, Thank you for taking the time to participate in this second survey. This survey is part of a study commissioned by the European Commission (DG JUST) and European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Compared to the first survey, this second survey aims to gather stakeholders’ feedback on preliminary designs of an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an EU harmonised notice for the legal guarantee of conformity. More information about the study is available here. DG JUST and EISMEA have mandated Ipsos NV, as part of a consortium consisting of LE Europe, Ipsos NV and EY, to carry out this survey on its behalf. The main aim of the harmonised label is to make it easier for consumers to choose sustainable consumption options, and to stimulate demand for, and supply of, consumer goods with a longer lifespan. The main aim of the harmonised notice is to remind consumers about the existence and the main elements of the legal guarantee of conformity, and to prevent confusion with the information on the commercial guarantee of durability. The Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, which is the legal mandate for the development of this label and notice, can be accessed here. This survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You can take the survey on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Participation in the survey is voluntary. Your answers throughout this survey will be kept confidential and only be used for the purpose of the study and to produce anonymous research findings and insights. Ipsos will share personal data with the consortium members LE Europe and EY, and with the client EISMEA and DG JUST. No identifiable data will be shared with third parties. For more information on how we are processing and protecting your personal data, please read the Privacy Notice (Scripter: insert hyperlink to https://survey.ipsos.be/privacynotice_EISMEA.pdf). Do you agree to participate given the above conditions?

1. Yes – I have read the information above and Privacy Notice (Scripter: insert hyperlink to https://survey.ipsos.be/privacynotice_EISMEA.pdf) and agree to take part in the survey.

2. No – I do not agree to take part in this survey. [screen out] At Ipsos we protect our research and our clients' confidential and intellectual property information. By participating in this survey, you agree to:

• Not share any information included in this survey. • Not photograph, record, publish on the internet, copy, or reproduce in any way

the information included in this survey. • Not use our client's confidential information for your own benefit, the benefit of a

third party or in any way that may negatively affect our client or its image. Do you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the above points?

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

1. Yes - I have read the information above and agree to take part in this survey. 2. No - I do not agree to take part in this survey. [screen out]

SCREENERS

S1. [All. Single response. Mandatory] Please indicate which stakeholder group you are part of.

1. Organisation representing consumers 2. Organisation representing businesses 3. Private business 4. Member State authority 5. Other, please specify: [OPEN BOX]

S2. [All. Open response. Mandatory] What is the name of the organisation, business, or authority that you represent? [OPEN BOX] S5. [All. Open response. Mandatory] In which country is the organisation, business, or authority that you represent active?

1. Active in one country: [OPEN BOX] 2. Active in multiple countries: [OPEN BOX] 3. Active at EU level 4. Active at a global level

S4. [IF S1 = 2 or 3] [Multiple response. Mandatory] In which sector are you active?

Multiple answers possible.

1. Umbrella organisation representing all/numerous sectors 2. Automobiles and transportation (e.g., cars, bicycles, motorcycles). 3. Baby and child products (e.g., strollers, baby monitors). 4. Electronics and appliances (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tv). 5. Fashion and luxury goods (e.g., designer handbags, watches). 6. Home and garden (e.g., furniture, mattresses, gardening tools). 7. Household goods (e.g., vacuum cleaners, washing machine,

refrigerators) 8. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) (e.g., ventilation

systems, air conditioners). 9. Musical instruments and equipment (e.g., guitars, amplifiers). 10. Office supplies and equipment (e.g., printers, office furniture). 11. Personal and health care (e.g., fitness equipment, blood pressure

monitors, hair dryers). 12. Pet products (e.g., automatic feeders, baskets). 13. Renewable energy products: (e.g., solar panels, battery storage

systems). 14. Security and surveillance (e.g., alarm systems). 15. Smart home and automation (e.g., smart lighting systems). 16. Sports and outdoor (e.g., sport equipment, camping gear) 17. Supermarket (e.g., kitchenware, baby and child products) 18. Toys and games (e.g., electronic toys, gaming consoles). 19. Travel and leisure (e.g., luggage boats or camper vans). 20. Other, please specify: [OPEN BOX]

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

S3. [IF S1 = 2 or 3. Single response. Mandatory] Which type of activities do you or the businesses that you represent perform?

1. I produce goods - or represent companies producing goods 2. I sell goods directly to the consumer - or represent companies selling goods directly to consumers 3. I both produce and sell goods – or represent companies that both produce and sell goods 98. Other, please specify: [OPEN BOX]

HARMONISED LABEL ON THE COMMERCIAL GUARANTEE OF DURABILITY

[INTRO Q1. SHOW TO ALL] The harmonised label on the commercial guarantee of durability (further referred to as “harmonised label”) will be provided in a prominent manner on goods (e.g., on the packaging of goods), or next to the goods (e.g., on the shelves, or next to the picture of the good for sale in the case of online sale), to allow consumers to easily identify which particular good benefits from a commercial guarantee of durability offered by the producer at no additional cost, covering the entire good, and with a duration of more than two years. In addition, the harmonised label will also include a reminder of the existence of the legal guarantee of conformity (of two years) to avoid consumer confusion.

[Page break]

Now we will show you 6 versions of the harmonised label. These designs were developed based on the results from the first survey undertaken in August/early September in which different groups of stakeholders shared their views on the preferred design of the harmonised label. For each version, we will ask you to provide feedback by completing a few questions. These 6 designs are provided in black and white. This is because we mainly want to gather your feedback on the basic design elements. Yet, since we are currently still considering whether we will keep these designs in black and white, or whether we will further design them in colour, we also provided a few examples of what the design could look like in colour. That way, you get an idea of how colour would impact the design. Furthermore, as you will see, the designs for the labels contain the official EU languages. This means that the same label could be used by producers that are active in all EU Member States. However, producers would also have the possibility to adjust the label and keep only the languages relevant for specific countries only.

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

[Show questions Q2-Q5&Q15 for each one of the 6 labels individually. Randomise order in which these labels are shown + capture order. Show label on top of page or on the side of the page for each question. Name questions Q2_1 till Q2_6, Q3_1 till Q3_6, Q4_1 till Q4_6, Q5_1 till Q5_6, Q15_1 till Q15_6]

[Show Q2-Q5 together on one page]

Q2 [All. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about this design of the harmonised label:

Rows (randomise):

1. The overall design is attractive. 2. The design is understandable, it conveys in a clear way information about the

commercial guarantee of durability 3. The information is structured well, it is easy to see which part of the

information is most important. 4. The language that is used is easy to understand. 5. The design has the right amount of text. 6. The design is recognisable, it can be applied to all relevant products 7. The design reminds consumers about the existence of the legal guarantee

of conformity in a clear way. 8. The design is suitable to be placed on the products’ package or on the good

itself. 9. The design is suitable to be placed in an offline brick-and-mortar store (e.g.,

on the shelf next to the product). 10. The design is suitable to be placed in an online e-commerce store (e.g., next

to the product description or picture of the good).

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q15 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] Which colour tones would you prefer for this design?

1. Black and white 2. Colours, no preference on which colours 3. Colours, preference to have the following colours: [OPEN BOX] 4. Both options need to be provided to the producer, producers then decide

whether they use the black and white or the coloured version 5. I don’t have a preference

Q3 [IF S1 = 2, 3 or 4. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about the usability of the design for producers and traders:

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

Rows (randomise):

1. The design is easy to use, and reproduce, for traders and producers, including for the ones active in more than one Member state.

2. Reproducing and multiplying the design will be cost-effective for traders and producers.

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q4. [All. Open response. Not mandatory] Thinking now about all the things you stated that are working well or not with the design and usage of the label, can you explain in your own words what could be improved about this design? Please indicate and explain if there is any highly problematic element in your view.

Q5 [All. Closed response. Mandatory] In your opinion, is there any important information about the commercial guarantee of durability missing in this design?

1. No, all important information is mentioned. 2. Yes, the following information is missing [OPEN BOX]

Q6 [All. Closed response. Mandatory. Randomise items 1-5]. Which name would you

find most suitable for the harmonised label on the commercial guarantee of durability?

This name may be potentially integrated into the design of the label itself.

1. Guaranteed product durability

2. Guarantee

3. Producer Guarantee

4. Product guarantee

5. Additional product guarantee

6. The names above are acceptable, but I still prefer another name: [open box]

(fixed position)

7. The names above are not acceptable, I would change it to: [OPEN BOX] (fixed

position)

8. I prefer a label without name (fixed position)

Q7 [All. IF Q6 = 6 or 7. Open response. Not mandatory.] Please explain why you

believe another name would be more suitable.

[OPEN BOX]

Q8 [All. Closed response. Mandatory] The harmonised label might provide producers

with the option to add their name, reference to the product’s model and/or a digital

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

item, like a QR code. This digital item could then guide consumers to the commercial

guarantee statement, providing more detailed information about the exact terms and

conditions of the commercial guarantee of durability for that specific good. These

pieces of information would be provided by the producer of the good themself. Can

you indicate which of these pieces of information (i.e., producer’s name, product

reference, digital item) you would find useful to add to the harmonised label?

1. Producer’s name, product reference and digital item

2. Only producer’s name and product reference, no digital item

3. Only the digital item

4. None of these three information pieces, because [OPEN BOX]

5. Other [Open Box]

HARMONISED NOTICE ON THE LEGAL GUARANTEE OF CONFORMITY

[INTRO Q9. SHOW TO ALL] As introduced, in addition to the harmonised label, a harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity (further referred to as “harmonised notice”) will be developed. The harmonised notice will be a compulsory notice for shops selling consumer goods to remind consumers about the existence and the main elements of the legal guarantee, including its minimum duration of two years as provided in Directive (EU) 2019/771 as well as a general reference to the possibility that the duration of the legal guarantee of conformity is longer under national law.

[Page break]

Next, we will show you 5 versions of the harmonised notice. These designs were developed based on the results from the first survey undertaken in August/early September in which different groups of stakeholders shared their insights and views on the preferred design of the harmonised notice. For each version, we will ask you to provide feedback by completing a few questions. Similar to the harmonised label, each design is provided in black and white to gather your feedback on the basic design elements. Yet, since we are currently still considering whether we will keep these designs in black and white, or whether we will further design them in colour, some of the black and white designs are accompanied with versions in colour to give you an idea of how colour would impact the design. Unlike the harmonised label (which is a multiple-language label), the designs for the harmonised notice are displayed during this survey only in one language. The final harmonised notice will be translated and available in all EU official languages.

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

[Show questions Q10-Q13&Q16 for each one of the five notices individually. Randomise order in which these notices are shown + capture order. Show notice on top of page or on the side of the page for each question. Name questions Q10_1 till Q10_5, Q11_1 till Q11_5, Q12_1 till Q12_5, Q13_1 till Q13_5, Q16_1 till Q16_5]

[Show Q10-Q13 together on one page]

Q10 [All. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about this design of the harmonised notice:

Rows (randomise):

1. The overall design is attractive. 2. The design is understandable, it conveys the information about the main

elements of the legal guarantee of conformity in a clear way. 3. The information is structured well, it is easy to see which part of the

information is most important. 4. The language that is used is easy to understand. 5. The design has the right amount of text. 6. The design is recognisable and suitable to be placed in an offline brick-and-

mortar store (e.g., on the wall in the aisles, at the entrance/exit door, next to the check-out counter).

7. The design is recognisable and suitable to be placed in an online e- commerce store (e.g., on the homepage, on the page of the product, on the shopping cart page).

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q16 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] Which colour tones would you prefer for this design?

1. Black and white 2. Colours, no preference on which colours 3. Colours, preference to have the following colours: [OPEN BOX] 4. Both options need to be provided to the trader, traders then decide whether

they use the black and white or the coloured version 5. I don’t have a preference

Q11 [IF S1 = 2, 3 or 4. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about the usability of the design for traders (knowing that the notice will be available in language versions for all EU Member States):

Rows (randomise):

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

1. The design is easy to use, and reproduce for traders, including traders active in more than one Member state.

2. Reproducing and multiplying the design will be cost-effective for traders.

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q12. [All. Open response. Not mandatory] Thinking now about all the things you stated that are working well or not with the design and usage of the notice, can you explain in your own words what could be improved about this design? Please indicate and explain if there is any highly problematic element in your view.

Q13 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] In your opinion, is there any important information about the legal guarantee of conformity missing in this design?

1. No, all important information is mentioned. 2. Yes, the following information is missing [OPEN BOX]

Q14 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] The harmonised notice might provide the

option to add a digital item, like a QR code. This digital item could lead consumers to

more detailed information about the specific rules regarding the legal guarantee of

conformity in their Member State (such as its exact duration). This information would be

made available by the Member State. Do you think such a digital item would be

useful?

1. Yes

2. No, because [OPEN BOX]

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

CONCLUSION

C1. [All. Open response. Not Mandatory] Do you have any additional comments or suggestions regarding the design, use or information of the harmonised label? [OPEN BOX] C2. [All. Open response. Not Mandatory.] Do you have any additional comments or suggestions regarding the design, use or information of the harmonised notice? [OPEN BOX] C3. [All. Single response. Not Mandatory.] Did you also take part in our first survey?

1. Yes 2. No 98. I don’t know

[OUTRO. All] Thank you for participating in this survey. Your feedback is very valuable for us.

If you have any further questions or would like to provide more detailed feedback through a dedicated interview, please contact us at [email protected]

[END OF SURVEY]

Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË – Tel. +32 22991111

EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR JUSTICE AND CONSUMERS

Directorate B – Consumers

Unit B.1 – Consumer Policy and Sustainability

Brussels JUST.B.1

Subject: Gathering stakeholder insights on design of EU harmonised label for

commercial guarantees of durability and EU harmonised notice for the

legal guarantee of conformity

Dear Madam, dear Sir,

The European Commission and the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency

would highly welcome your input to a newly launched study undertaken by Ipsos, LE Europe and

EY. The study will help the European Commission to design an EU harmonised label for specific

commercial guarantees of durability and an EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of

conformity, as required by Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the

transition.(1)

The main aim of the harmonised label is to assist consumers in taking better informed decisions

and stimulate demand for, and supply of, consumer goods with a longer lifespan. The main aim of

the harmonised notice is to remind consumers about the existence and the main elements of the

legal guarantee of conformity.

The study will gather insights on how the label and notice should be designed so they are easily

recognisable and understandable for consumers, as well as easy to use and reproduce for traders

and producers. Your organisation has been identified as one of the key stakeholders whose input

to the study is crucial. Your feedback is of utmost importance to ensure that existing knowledge,

expertise and different perspectives are taken into account. Your responses will be treated

confidentially and only be used for the purpose for which it was requested. Any personal data

collected will be treated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and GDPR.

In case of any further questions, you can reach out to the project team ([email protected],

[email protected]) or EU officials responsible ([email protected],

[email protected], [email protected]).

Thank you for your participation.

Daniela BANKIER

Head of Unit

c.c.: Jeroen VAN LAER; Benedicte VAN ORMELINGEN; Jana HOSKOVA; Anne

SEEKINGS-LE QUEMENT; ve_just.b.1

(1) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/825/oj

Electronically signed

Electronically signed on 25/07/2024 10:47 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121

1

© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

The content of this survey, including the images of labels and legal notices, is confidential and must not be shared or distributed outside of your organisation.

LANGUAGE

L1. [Single response] Please select the language in which you would like to complete the survey:

1. English 2. German 3. French 4. Polish

[provide correct language variant depending on answer on L1]

Directive (EU) 2024/825 – Harmonised notice and

harmonised label

SECOND STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

Gathering insights from stakeholders via a validation design survey

2

© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

INTRODUCTION

Dear Participant, Thank you for taking the time to participate in this second survey. This survey is part of a study commissioned by the European Commission (DG JUST) and European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Compared to the first survey, this second survey aims to gather stakeholders’ feedback on preliminary designs of an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an EU harmonised notice for the legal guarantee of conformity. More information about the study is available here. DG JUST and EISMEA have mandated Ipsos NV, as part of a consortium consisting of LE Europe, Ipsos NV and EY, to carry out this survey on its behalf. The main aim of the harmonised label is to make it easier for consumers to choose sustainable consumption options, and to stimulate demand for, and supply of, consumer goods with a longer lifespan. The main aim of the harmonised notice is to remind consumers about the existence and the main elements of the legal guarantee of conformity, and to prevent confusion with the information on the commercial guarantee of durability. The Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, which is the legal mandate for the development of this label and notice, can be accessed here. This survey will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You can take the survey on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. Participation in the survey is voluntary. Your answers throughout this survey will be kept confidential and only be used for the purpose of the study and to produce anonymous research findings and insights. Ipsos will share personal data with the consortium members LE Europe and EY, and with the client EISMEA and DG JUST. No identifiable data will be shared with third parties. For more information on how we are processing and protecting your personal data, please read the Privacy Notice (Scripter: insert hyperlink to https://survey.ipsos.be/privacynotice_EISMEA.pdf). Do you agree to participate given the above conditions?

1. Yes – I have read the information above and Privacy Notice (Scripter: insert hyperlink to https://survey.ipsos.be/privacynotice_EISMEA.pdf) and agree to take part in the survey.

2. No – I do not agree to take part in this survey. [screen out] At Ipsos we protect our research and our clients' confidential and intellectual property information. By participating in this survey, you agree to:

• Not share any information included in this survey. • Not photograph, record, publish on the internet, copy, or reproduce in any way

the information included in this survey. • Not use our client's confidential information for your own benefit, the benefit of a

third party or in any way that may negatively affect our client or its image. Do you acknowledge that you have read and agree to the above points?

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© Ipsos | Research study to create an EU harmonised label for commercial guarantees of durability and an

EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

1. Yes - I have read the information above and agree to take part in this survey. 2. No - I do not agree to take part in this survey. [screen out]

SCREENERS

S1. [All. Single response. Mandatory] Please indicate which stakeholder group you are part of.

1. Organisation representing consumers 2. Organisation representing businesses 3. Private business 4. Member State authority 5. Other, please specify: [OPEN BOX]

S2. [All. Open response. Mandatory] What is the name of the organisation, business, or authority that you represent? [OPEN BOX] S5. [All. Open response. Mandatory] In which country is the organisation, business, or authority that you represent active?

1. Active in one country: [OPEN BOX] 2. Active in multiple countries: [OPEN BOX] 3. Active at EU level 4. Active at a global level

S4. [IF S1 = 2 or 3] [Multiple response. Mandatory] In which sector are you active?

Multiple answers possible.

1. Umbrella organisation representing all/numerous sectors 2. Automobiles and transportation (e.g., cars, bicycles, motorcycles). 3. Baby and child products (e.g., strollers, baby monitors). 4. Electronics and appliances (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tv). 5. Fashion and luxury goods (e.g., designer handbags, watches). 6. Home and garden (e.g., furniture, mattresses, gardening tools). 7. Household goods (e.g., vacuum cleaners, washing machine,

refrigerators) 8. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) (e.g., ventilation

systems, air conditioners). 9. Musical instruments and equipment (e.g., guitars, amplifiers). 10. Office supplies and equipment (e.g., printers, office furniture). 11. Personal and health care (e.g., fitness equipment, blood pressure

monitors, hair dryers). 12. Pet products (e.g., automatic feeders, baskets). 13. Renewable energy products: (e.g., solar panels, battery storage

systems). 14. Security and surveillance (e.g., alarm systems). 15. Smart home and automation (e.g., smart lighting systems). 16. Sports and outdoor (e.g., sport equipment, camping gear) 17. Supermarket (e.g., kitchenware, baby and child products) 18. Toys and games (e.g., electronic toys, gaming consoles). 19. Travel and leisure (e.g., luggage boats or camper vans). 20. Other, please specify: [OPEN BOX]

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EU harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity | CONFIDENTIAL

S3. [IF S1 = 2 or 3. Single response. Mandatory] Which type of activities do you or the businesses that you represent perform?

1. I produce goods - or represent companies producing goods 2. I sell goods directly to the consumer - or represent companies selling goods directly to consumers 3. I both produce and sell goods – or represent companies that both produce and sell goods 98. Other, please specify: [OPEN BOX]

HARMONISED LABEL ON THE COMMERCIAL GUARANTEE OF DURABILITY

[INTRO Q1. SHOW TO ALL] The harmonised label on the commercial guarantee of durability (further referred to as “harmonised label”) will be provided in a prominent manner on goods (e.g., on the packaging of goods), or next to the goods (e.g., on the shelves, or next to the picture of the good for sale in the case of online sale), to allow consumers to easily identify which particular good benefits from a commercial guarantee of durability offered by the producer at no additional cost, covering the entire good, and with a duration of more than two years. In addition, the harmonised label will also include a reminder of the existence of the legal guarantee of conformity (of two years) to avoid consumer confusion.

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Now we will show you 6 versions of the harmonised label. These designs were developed based on the results from the first survey undertaken in August/early September in which different groups of stakeholders shared their views on the preferred design of the harmonised label. For each version, we will ask you to provide feedback by completing a few questions. These 6 designs are provided in black and white. This is because we mainly want to gather your feedback on the basic design elements. Yet, since we are currently still considering whether we will keep these designs in black and white, or whether we will further design them in colour, we also provided a few examples of what the design could look like in colour. That way, you get an idea of how colour would impact the design. Furthermore, as you will see, the designs for the labels contain the official EU languages. This means that the same label could be used by producers that are active in all EU Member States. However, producers would also have the possibility to adjust the label and keep only the languages relevant for specific countries only.

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[Show questions Q2-Q5&Q15 for each one of the 6 labels individually. Randomise order in which these labels are shown + capture order. Show label on top of page or on the side of the page for each question. Name questions Q2_1 till Q2_6, Q3_1 till Q3_6, Q4_1 till Q4_6, Q5_1 till Q5_6, Q15_1 till Q15_6]

[Show Q2-Q5 together on one page]

Q2 [All. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about this design of the harmonised label:

Rows (randomise):

1. The overall design is attractive. 2. The design is understandable, it conveys in a clear way information about the

commercial guarantee of durability 3. The information is structured well, it is easy to see which part of the

information is most important. 4. The language that is used is easy to understand. 5. The design has the right amount of text. 6. The design is recognisable, it can be applied to all relevant products 7. The design reminds consumers about the existence of the legal guarantee

of conformity in a clear way. 8. The design is suitable to be placed on the products’ package or on the good

itself. 9. The design is suitable to be placed in an offline brick-and-mortar store (e.g.,

on the shelf next to the product). 10. The design is suitable to be placed in an online e-commerce store (e.g., next

to the product description or picture of the good).

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q15 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] Which colour tones would you prefer for this design?

1. Black and white 2. Colours, no preference on which colours 3. Colours, preference to have the following colours: [OPEN BOX] 4. Both options need to be provided to the producer, producers then decide

whether they use the black and white or the coloured version 5. I don’t have a preference

Q3 [IF S1 = 2, 3 or 4. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about the usability of the design for producers and traders:

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Rows (randomise):

1. The design is easy to use, and reproduce, for traders and producers, including for the ones active in more than one Member state.

2. Reproducing and multiplying the design will be cost-effective for traders and producers.

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q4. [All. Open response. Not mandatory] Thinking now about all the things you stated that are working well or not with the design and usage of the label, can you explain in your own words what could be improved about this design? Please indicate and explain if there is any highly problematic element in your view.

Q5 [All. Closed response. Mandatory] In your opinion, is there any important information about the commercial guarantee of durability missing in this design?

1. No, all important information is mentioned. 2. Yes, the following information is missing [OPEN BOX]

Q6 [All. Closed response. Mandatory. Randomise items 1-5]. Which name would you

find most suitable for the harmonised label on the commercial guarantee of durability?

This name may be potentially integrated into the design of the label itself.

1. Guaranteed product durability

2. Guarantee

3. Producer Guarantee

4. Product guarantee

5. Additional product guarantee

6. The names above are acceptable, but I still prefer another name: [open box]

(fixed position)

7. The names above are not acceptable, I would change it to: [OPEN BOX] (fixed

position)

8. I prefer a label without name (fixed position)

Q7 [All. IF Q6 = 6 or 7. Open response. Not mandatory.] Please explain why you

believe another name would be more suitable.

[OPEN BOX]

Q8 [All. Closed response. Mandatory] The harmonised label might provide producers

with the option to add their name, reference to the product’s model and/or a digital

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item, like a QR code. This digital item could then guide consumers to the commercial

guarantee statement, providing more detailed information about the exact terms and

conditions of the commercial guarantee of durability for that specific good. These

pieces of information would be provided by the producer of the good themself. Can

you indicate which of these pieces of information (i.e., producer’s name, product

reference, digital item) you would find useful to add to the harmonised label?

1. Producer’s name, product reference and digital item

2. Only producer’s name and product reference, no digital item

3. Only the digital item

4. None of these three information pieces, because [OPEN BOX]

5. Other [Open Box]

HARMONISED NOTICE ON THE LEGAL GUARANTEE OF CONFORMITY

[INTRO Q9. SHOW TO ALL] As introduced, in addition to the harmonised label, a harmonised notice on the legal guarantee of conformity (further referred to as “harmonised notice”) will be developed. The harmonised notice will be a compulsory notice for shops selling consumer goods to remind consumers about the existence and the main elements of the legal guarantee, including its minimum duration of two years as provided in Directive (EU) 2019/771 as well as a general reference to the possibility that the duration of the legal guarantee of conformity is longer under national law.

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Next, we will show you 5 versions of the harmonised notice. These designs were developed based on the results from the first survey undertaken in August/early September in which different groups of stakeholders shared their insights and views on the preferred design of the harmonised notice. For each version, we will ask you to provide feedback by completing a few questions. Similar to the harmonised label, each design is provided in black and white to gather your feedback on the basic design elements. Yet, since we are currently still considering whether we will keep these designs in black and white, or whether we will further design them in colour, some of the black and white designs are accompanied with versions in colour to give you an idea of how colour would impact the design. Unlike the harmonised label (which is a multiple-language label), the designs for the harmonised notice are displayed during this survey only in one language. The final harmonised notice will be translated and available in all EU official languages.

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[Show questions Q10-Q13&Q16 for each one of the five notices individually. Randomise order in which these notices are shown + capture order. Show notice on top of page or on the side of the page for each question. Name questions Q10_1 till Q10_5, Q11_1 till Q11_5, Q12_1 till Q12_5, Q13_1 till Q13_5, Q16_1 till Q16_5]

[Show Q10-Q13 together on one page]

Q10 [All. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about this design of the harmonised notice:

Rows (randomise):

1. The overall design is attractive. 2. The design is understandable, it conveys the information about the main

elements of the legal guarantee of conformity in a clear way. 3. The information is structured well, it is easy to see which part of the

information is most important. 4. The language that is used is easy to understand. 5. The design has the right amount of text. 6. The design is recognisable and suitable to be placed in an offline brick-and-

mortar store (e.g., on the wall in the aisles, at the entrance/exit door, next to the check-out counter).

7. The design is recognisable and suitable to be placed in an online e- commerce store (e.g., on the homepage, on the page of the product, on the shopping cart page).

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q16 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] Which colour tones would you prefer for this design?

1. Black and white 2. Colours, no preference on which colours 3. Colours, preference to have the following colours: [OPEN BOX] 4. Both options need to be provided to the trader, traders then decide whether

they use the black and white or the coloured version 5. I don’t have a preference

Q11 [IF S1 = 2, 3 or 4. Progressive grid. Mandatory] Please indicate to which extent you agree with the following statements about the usability of the design for traders (knowing that the notice will be available in language versions for all EU Member States):

Rows (randomise):

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1. The design is easy to use, and reproduce for traders, including traders active in more than one Member state.

2. Reproducing and multiplying the design will be cost-effective for traders.

Columns:

1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Somewhat disagree 4. Neutral 5. Somewhat agree 6. Agree 7. Strongly agree

Q12. [All. Open response. Not mandatory] Thinking now about all the things you stated that are working well or not with the design and usage of the notice, can you explain in your own words what could be improved about this design? Please indicate and explain if there is any highly problematic element in your view.

Q13 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] In your opinion, is there any important information about the legal guarantee of conformity missing in this design?

1. No, all important information is mentioned. 2. Yes, the following information is missing [OPEN BOX]

Q14 [All. Closed response. Mandatory.] The harmonised notice might provide the

option to add a digital item, like a QR code. This digital item could lead consumers to

more detailed information about the specific rules regarding the legal guarantee of

conformity in their Member State (such as its exact duration). This information would be

made available by the Member State. Do you think such a digital item would be

useful?

1. Yes

2. No, because [OPEN BOX]

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CONCLUSION

C1. [All. Open response. Not Mandatory] Do you have any additional comments or suggestions regarding the design, use or information of the harmonised label? [OPEN BOX] C2. [All. Open response. Not Mandatory.] Do you have any additional comments or suggestions regarding the design, use or information of the harmonised notice? [OPEN BOX] C3. [All. Single response. Not Mandatory.] Did you also take part in our first survey?

1. Yes 2. No 98. I don’t know

[OUTRO. All] Thank you for participating in this survey. Your feedback is very valuable for us.

If you have any further questions or would like to provide more detailed feedback through a dedicated interview, please contact us at [email protected]

[END OF SURVEY]