EU right to repair law takes effect: What it means for you

The European Union is making it easier for consumers to repair broken devices and appliances. Under a new European Commission directive, manufacturers must repair products even if they are no longer covered by warranty.

EU directive makes it cheaper to repair products

On July 31, 2026, the EU’s new directive on the repair of goods came into force, aiming to create a system that favours repairing a product over purchasing a new one. Ultimately, this should reduce the amount of electronic waste. This so-called “right to repair” law will make it easier and cheaper for consumers to repair household and electronic appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, mobile phones and tablets. 

Under the new rules, consumers will be allowed to request that a manufacturer repair a device that is considered “technically repairable” under EU law, even if the product is no longer under warranty. The repair must also be completed within a reasonable period and at a reasonable price.

Manufacturers will also be required to make it easy to find information about repair services and make spare parts accessible for longer and at a reasonable price. Additionally, if a consumer chooses to repair an appliance within the warranty, the legal guarantee of the product is automatically extended by one year.

The new directive still needs to be implemented by each member state, including Germany. The Commission is also working on an online platform, likely to be introduced in 2027, that will allow consumers in Europe to find repair services easily, according to an EU press release. 

Why consumers buy new: High costs and inconvenience

Based on a survey by second-hand platform Refurbed cited by NU.nl, many people choose not to get their products repaired because of the cost. "An original screen for an iPhone 13 (from the 2021 edition) costs 275 euros excluding VAT. That is disproportionate to the value of the device," founder of ThePhoneLab Boris Blijham explained to NU.nl.

One in three respondents also said they regularly replace electronics which are still working. Professor of Sustainable Consumer Behaviour Ruth Mugge points out that repairing is not something that many people do any more. 

"Is your vacuum cleaner not sucking as hard anymore? Then you check [an online store] and you have a new one the next day," explains Mugge. "Repair is much more uncertain and difficult. Where do you go? What is wrong? And if you do opt for repair, you are often without the device for a long time. Repair costs are also often an uncertain factor."

However, Mugge thinks that the new directive is the first step in raising awareness on how devices can be repaired instead of replaced. Part of the directive requires member states to promote repair through financial and non-financial measures such as information campaigns, repair training and repair vouchers - something Mugge thinks EU countries could benefit from.

This article originally featured on IamExpat the Netherlands.