Legal warranty or manufacturer's warranty: the difference

Your item may be protected by several warranties at the same time. They don't replace each other: they add up.

In short

  • The manufacturer's warranty is a bonus offered by the brand.
  • The warranty of good working order (Bill 29) lasts 3 to 6 years for 14 items.
  • The reasonable lifespan warranty (s. 37-38) protects all goods, with no fixed length.
  • The extended warranty is paid and optional.

The 4 warranties at a glance

WarrantyWhere it comes fromLengthPrice
Good working order (Bill 29)CPA, s. 38.13 to 6 years depending on the itemFree
Reasonable lifespanCPA, s. 37 and s. 38Depends on price and useFree
ManufacturerThe brandOften 1 yearFree
ExtendedContract with the store or a third partyDepends on the contractPaid

The manufacturer's warranty

It's a promise from the brand. Its conditions are written in the guide or on the manufacturer's website. When it ends, the legal warranty continues. Since Bill 29, the manufacturer must also disclose information about the warranty of good working order for its products (s. 38.7).

The warranty of good working order

Created by Bill 29, it applies to the 14 new items named in s. 38.1, bought or leased long-term from a merchant since October 5, 2026. It covers parts and labour. See the full guide.

The reasonable lifespan warranty

It has existed for a long time and applies to almost all goods: an item must be fit for the purpose it's intended for (s. 37) and for normal use for a reasonable time, given its price and conditions of use (s. 38). It can help you after the warranty of good working order ends, or for an item that isn't on the list.

Who to contact

For the warranty of good working order: the merchant, the manufacturer, or both. For the manufacturer's warranty: the brand. If in doubt, send your request to both.

Frequently asked questions

Which one do I use if my item breaks after 8 months?

The manufacturer's warranty and the warranty of good working order apply at the same time. You can ask the merchant or the manufacturer for the repair.

The manufacturer requires me to register the product. Is that needed for the legal warranty?

No. The warranty of good working order is automatic. Registration can be useful for the manufacturer's warranty or for safety recalls.

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Updated October 21, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Official source: Office de la protection du consommateur.