Germany expands consumers’ rights to faulty goods repairs

The transposition of a European Union directive has expanded German consumers’ right to have faulty goods repaired by manufacturers at no extra cost. Here’s what is changing:

Germany adopts EU right to repair

The German government has transposed a European Union (EU) right to repair directive which aims to make electronic “repair[s] easier and more appealing to consumers”. 

Products purchased in the EU are already subject to a two-year guarantee. This means consumers who purchase a faulty product are entitled to receive a free repair, replacement, price reduction or reimbursement within two years of purchase.

Under the new rules, manufacturers are obliged to repair faulty products in a “timely and cost-effective” manner. If the manufacturer repairs the product, the existing two-year warranty will be extended by 12 months.

Manufacturers will be obliged to repair certain products at no extra cost even once the extended three-year warranty has expired. These products currently include washing machines, hoovers and mobile phones, but the list will also be extended over time.

During the repair, manufacturers will also be obliged to temporarily lend consumers a replacement device. If their existing device cannot be repaired, consumers can opt for a refurbished device as a replacement.

To help consumers better understand their right to repairs and find local repair services, the EU Commission is set to launch a European Repair Platform in mid-2027.

German Consumer Association welcomes new law

While the German Consumer Association (Verbraucherzentrale) said it “welcomes” the transposition of the EU right to repair law into the German civil code, the organisation said in a press release that “more is needed” to “establish a new culture of repair”.

The association also welcomed the extended warranty period on repaired goods, but said it would be “less effective in promoting sustainable consumption” than a renewed focus on producing higher-quality, durable goods.