On 20 October 2026, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Act Amending the Consumer Protection Act (ZVPot-1A), which was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia on 29 October 2026. The amendment enters into force on 13 November 2026 and will apply from 12 December 2026.

The amendment transposes three European directives into Slovenian law, covering distance contracts for financial services, empowering consumers for the green transition, and the right to repair goods. It also introduces numerous changes concerning online shopping, discount advertising, environmental claims, guarantees, product repairs, and the exercise of consumer rights.

Below, we outline the key changes introduced by ZVPot-1A and their practical implications for businesses and consumers.

Stricter Rules on Advertising and Consumer Information

The amendment sets out more detailed rules on displaying reduced prices and advertising discounts. Businesses must calculate the price advantage by reference to the legally defined prior price of the goods, which is generally the lowest price charged in the 30 days preceding the reduction, rather than the product’s regular selling price.

Important changes also address the prevention of greenwashing. The amendment tightens the rules governing environmental claims and sustainability labelling and prohibits unsubstantiated or misleading statements about products’ environmental characteristics. Businesses will therefore need to pay particular attention to ensuring that environmental claims in their advertising are adequately substantiated and verifiable.

In addition, the amendment introduces further pre-contractual information requirements, particularly concerning the statutory guarantee of conformity of goods, commercial guarantees of durability, software updates, and product repairability. Standardised European notices and labels are also envisaged to help consumers identify their rights more easily.

New Obligations for Online Sales

The amendment also introduces significant changes for online retailers. It expressly prohibits the use of manipulative online interfaces (dark patterns) that mislead consumers or restrict their ability to make free and informed decisions. Such practices include, in particular, excessively highlighting certain options, repeatedly displaying pop-up windows, and making it difficult to withdraw from a contract.

Another major change is the obligation to provide a clearly visible and easily accessible online withdrawal function, enabling consumers to exercise their right to withdraw from a distance contract more easily. The function must remain available throughout the statutory withdrawal period, and the business must acknowledge receipt of the consumer’s withdrawal notice.

Businesses will also have to provide consumers with additional pre-contractual information, including information on environmentally friendly delivery options, where available, and on the online withdrawal function.

Strengthening the Right to Repair and Changes to the Exercise of Consumer Rights

A significant part of the amendment aims to encourage product repairs and extend product lifespans. It introduces a specific right to repair for certain categories of products subject to European repairability requirements. Under the prescribed conditions, manufacturers will be required to ensure access to repairs, spare parts, and appropriate repair information.

The amendment also changes the rules on sellers’ liability for the conformity of goods. If a seller repairs a product free of charge under the statutory guarantee of conformity, the seller’s liability period is extended once by one year. When receiving a claim under the statutory guarantee, the seller must inform the consumer of the option to choose between repair and replacement and of the extension of the liability period in the event of repair. Provision is also made for the possibility of temporarily supplying replacement goods during repairs or replacing goods with refurbished goods at the consumer’s express request.

The changes also concern the mandatory guarantee, for which the amendment establishes an eight-day deadline for refunding the full purchase price or a proportionate part thereof where the consumer is entitled to such a refund.

Furthermore, the amendment regulates businesses’ liability for improperly performed services in greater detail, establishing a two-year liability period and more precise deadlines and procedures for submitting claims, remedying defects, and refunding amounts paid.

What Do the Changes Mean for Businesses?

ZVPot-1A introduces numerous new obligations that will require businesses to adapt their operations, particularly in online sales, advertising, consumer information, complaint handling, and the provision of repairs.

At the same time, the amendment expands the powers of inspection authorities and the provisions on minor offences to ensure effective enforcement of the new requirements. In addition to fines, infringements may result in other inspection measures.

We therefore recommend that businesses review their general terms and conditions, online stores, advertising messages, consumer information, and internal procedures for handling complaints and guarantee claims in good time, and bring them into compliance with the new legislation where necessary.

The amendment will apply from 12 December 2026, subject also to the specific transitional provisions applicable to individual changes.

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