The paper discusses the legal and commercial guarantees for consumer goods within the meaning of Directive 1999/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 on certain aspects of the sale of consumer goods and guarantees for such goods, with emphasis on rationis legi of directive concerned and through the prism of difficulty of reaching a compromise between different legal traditions, the balance between the principle of subsidiarity on the one hand and the achievement of uniform market conditions in Europe on the other, and the correction of the disturbed balance of power between traders and consumers. First, the legal bases of primary law are set out, in particular with regard to the general objectives of the Union, the European integration process and the key principles governing the legislative action of the Union. An overview of consumer directives in the field of contract law, which are legally and practically related to Directive 1999/44, is provided. The concept of the single market and competition as the basis of consumer contract law is presented. The institutes of Directive 1999/44 are analyzed, citing the relevant case law of the Court of Justice. The shortcomings identified during the 20 years of application of Directive 1999/44 are stated. It analyzes whether and to what extent the shortcomings of Directive 1999/44 have been eliminated by Directive 2019/771 and states the novelties introduced by the same.