5 Common Omnibus Directive Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Implementing EU Omnibus Directive compliance might seem straightforward, but many Shopify store owners make critical mistakes that could lead to legal issues. Here are the five most common mistakes we see and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Only Tracking Some Products

Many store owners only track prices for products they plan to put on sale. However, the Omnibus Directive applies to all price reductions, not just planned promotions.

Why This is a Problem

If you suddenly decide to discount a product you haven't been tracking, you won't have the 30-day price history needed for compliance.

The Solution

Track all products from day one, even if you don't plan to discount them. Storage is cheap, and having complete data ensures you're always ready.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Currency Conversions

For stores selling in multiple currencies, price tracking becomes more complex. Some store owners only track prices in their base currency.

Why This is a Problem

If you sell in Euros and your customer sees prices in Euros, you need to track and display the Euro price history—not just the converted amount from another currency.

The Solution

Use a solution that tracks prices in each currency independently. Omnibus Price Tracker handles multi-currency tracking automatically.

Mistake #3: Not Displaying the Information Prominently

Some stores bury the 30-day lowest price information in small text or hide it in expandable sections.

Why This is a Problem

The Omnibus Directive requires this information to be clearly visible to consumers. Hidden disclosures may not satisfy compliance requirements.

The Solution

Display the 30-day lowest price prominently near the current price. Use clear, readable text that customers can easily find.

Mistake #4: Resetting Price History After Theme Changes

When changing Shopify themes or updating store designs, some merchants accidentally lose their price tracking data.

Why This is a Problem

Losing price history means you can't prove compliance if questioned. You'll also need to wait 30 days before you can run compliant sales again.

The Solution

• Store price data in a persistent database, not in theme files
• Back up your price history regularly
• Use apps that store data independently of your theme

Mistake #5: Forgetting About Variant Pricing

Products with variants (sizes, colors, etc.) often have different prices. Some store owners only track the base product price.

Why This is a Problem

Each variant that has its own price needs its own price history tracking. A large shirt at €50 and a small shirt at €45 need separate tracking.

The Solution

Ensure your tracking system handles variant-level pricing. Omnibus Price Tracker automatically tracks each variant independently.

Bonus: Testing Your Compliance

After implementing your compliance solution, test it thoroughly:

1. Create a test product with a known price history
2. Reduce the price and verify the correct 30-day low is displayed
3. Check multiple currencies if applicable
4. Test on different devices to ensure visibility
5. Document your process for audit purposes

Conclusion

Avoiding these common mistakes will help ensure your Shopify store is fully compliant with the EU Omnibus Directive. Remember, compliance isn't just about avoiding fines—it's about building trust with your customers through transparent pricing practices.

Need help implementing compliance? Get started with Omnibus Price Tracker for automated, worry-free compliance.