Guarantee and complaints: two-year legal guarantee

How long is the guarantee on a lamp?

Two years, counting from delivery. That is the legal guarantee that every seller in the European Union owes a consumer. It applies to every product we sell: light fittings, light bulbs, LED strips, drivers, power supplies and components. A shorter period for “electronics” or “drivers” does not exist for consumers.

The legal guarantee covers lack of conformity: the product does not do what it should according to the description and the contract, or it has a fault that was already present at delivery, even if it only becomes visible later. An LED light fitting that starts flickering after eight months on a suitable dimmer, a driver that fails after a year, a lamp holder that comes loose: those are typical cases.

Who has to prove that the defect was already there?

If a defect appears within two years of delivery, the law presumes it was already there at delivery. So you do not have to prove that the product was faulty from the start. If the seller wants to dispute that, it must prove that the defect has another cause, for example an incorrect connection. In Belgium this presumption has applied for the full two years since 1 June 2022.

Within what period do you report a defect?

Let us know within two months of discovering the defect. The sooner, the better: we can then help you more effectively. If you wait more than a year after discovering the defect to bring your rights before a court, your claim is time-barred.

You do not have to keep the product in its original packaging. We do need your order number or invoice.

What do we do if a product is defective?

In the first instance we repair or replace the product, free of charge, within a reasonable period and without significant inconvenience to you. You choose between repair and replacement, unless your choice is impossible or would cost unreasonably much compared with the other solution. In the case of a replacement, we take back the defective product at our expense.

If the lamp was already installed when the defect appeared, the repair or replacement also includes removing the defective product and installing the repaired or new one, or reimbursing the costs of doing so.

If repair or replacement is not possible, takes too long, the defect comes back even after an attempt, or the defect is so serious that an immediate solution is needed, you are entitled to a proportionate price reduction or to terminate the sale, with a refund. For a minor defect, termination is not possible; a price reduction is.

While a repair or replacement is under way, or while we are looking for a solution together, the guarantee period is suspended.

What is not covered by the guarantee?

The guarantee covers defects that were already present at delivery. It does not cover what results from use or installation. Examples with lighting:

• a non-dimmable lamp or driver that was connected to a dimmer, even if you do not dim it;
• an indoor lamp hanging outdoors or in a zone of the bathroom that is too damp, when its IP rating is not suitable for that;
• a 12 or 24 volt LED lamp on a wrong or unsuitable power supply, or a light fitting that was incorrectly connected to the mains;
• a light source with a higher wattage than the fitting allows, or an LED bulb in a fully enclosed fitting for which the manufacturer advises against it;
• damage from a fall, an impact, overvoltage or a lightning strike.

Even then: as long as the defect appears within two years, it is up to us to show that it is caused by one of these. If in doubt, just report it. Have fixed lighting connected according to the rules: the AREI in Belgium, NEN 1010 in the Netherlands.

What if your parcel arrives damaged or incomplete?

Until you have the parcel in hand, loss and damage in transit are our risk. Take photos of the box and of the product and let us know. We send a new one or the missing part, or refund you if you prefer. If you received a different product from the one you ordered, we exchange it at our expense.

Is there also a manufacturer’s guarantee?

Some manufacturers give their own, longer guarantee on certain products. If so, it is stated with the product, together with the conditions. Such a commercial guarantee always comes on top of the legal guarantee: it may never replace or limit it. The European Union has laid down a standard notice about the legal guarantee; you will also find it in the shop and via the Your Europe link below.

How do we handle a complaint?

About a product, a delivery or our service: send your complaint to franky@nodarkness.be, or use one of the other channels on the contact page. Describe what happened and what you expect from us. You will receive a reply as soon as possible; if we need to look into something with a manufacturer or carrier, we let you know how far it has got.

Where can you turn if we cannot resolve it together?

• Consumer Mediation Service. Mediates free of charge in disputes between consumers and businesses in Belgium. You submit your complaint online via consumentenombudsdienst.be, after first making a complaint to us. Address: Koning Albert II-laan 8 bus 1, 1000 Brussels, phone 02 702 52 00.
• European Consumer Centre. If you live in another country of the European Union, the European Consumer Centre of your own country helps you free of charge with a dispute with a Belgian webshop.
• The courts. You can always bring a dispute before the competent court.

You may still see a link to the European ODR platform on other webshops. That platform closed permanently on 20 July 2025; that is why the link is not here.