The EU is introducing the right to repair. Manufacturers will also be required to repair devices that are out of warranty.

New rules aimed at making it easier for consumers to repair broken phones, tablets, household appliances and other devices came into force in the European Union on 31 July 2026. Manufacturers will have to offer repairs within a reasonable time and at a price that does not intentionally discourage customers from seeking repairs for products that are already subject to European reparability requirements.

The new European Right to Repair Directive aims to change the long-standing practice of replacing a faulty device rather than repairing it. It will make it easier for consumers to access spare parts, clear service information and independent repairers, and manufacturers will not be allowed to refuse repairs simply because the device has been opened or repaired by someone else.

Although 31 July is an important milestone, the changes do not mean that every product will now be able to be repaired cheaply and immediately. Member States need to transpose the Directive into their national legislation and ensure its implementation. Furthermore, the obligation to repair currently applies mainly to product groups for which European legislation already sets specific requirements on reparability.

Repair even after the warranty expires

The most important change is that consumers will be able to request repairs from the manufacturer even when the product is no longer within the legal warranty period.

This does not mean that such a repair will be free of charge. The manufacturer may charge for it, but the price must be reasonable and set in such a way as not to discourage the consumer from choosing the repair. The procedure must also be carried out within a reasonable period of time. The manufacturer may refuse a repair only when it is factually or legally impossible, and not simply because it is not financially worthwhile.

If the manufacturer does not have its own service network, it may entrust the repair to another repairer. For companies based outside the European Union, the obligation may pass to their authorized representative, importer or distributor in the EU.

The consumer will still be able to choose an independent repairer. The directive does not give manufacturers the exclusive right to repair their devices, but is intended to increase competition between official and independent repairers.

Longer warranty for those who choose repair

The new rules aim to encourage consumers to opt for repair instead of replacing the entire product in the event of a fault.

When a defect occurs during the period of the seller's liability, the seller must inform the consumer of the choice between repair and replacement. If the buyer chooses repair, the seller's statutory warranty or liability period will be extended once by at least 12 months.

The European Union aims to eliminate one of the reasons why consumers often choose a new device. Until now, replacement has been safer, as consumers did not have to worry that the repaired device would break down again soon after the original warranty period expired.

A one-year extension does not mean that a completely new multi-year warranty will always start from the date of repair. It is a one-time extension of the existing period for at least one year.

Spare parts at a price that does not prevent repairs

Manufacturers will have to offer spare parts and tools, which they are already required to provide under other European regulations, at a reasonable price. The price must not be set so high that it would make repairs practically pointless.

Companies will also have to publish clear and easily accessible information about their service offerings. This should make it easier for consumers to find out whether their product can be repaired, where to send it and what the approximate costs are.

The prohibition of artificially hindering repairs is also important. Manufacturers will not be allowed to use contractual provisions, hardware or software limitations that would prevent repairs without a justifiable reason.

They will also not be allowed to refuse repairs simply because the device has previously been inspected or repaired by an independent repairer or the user themselves. Exceptions will be possible where restrictions are objectively necessary for safety or the protection of intellectual property.

This is especially important in modern electronics, where individual spare parts are sometimes software-linked to a specific device. If a phone does not accept a component after a screen or battery replacement without specific software approval from the manufacturer, such a practice can severely limit the work of independent repair shops.

The new directive does not automatically prohibit all such restrictions, but the manufacturer will have to have a legitimate and objective reason for them.

What products are included?

The right to repair does not cover all products that can be purchased in the European Union.

The manufacturer's obligation applies to products for which European regulations already set repairability requirements. These include various household and electronic products such as washing machines and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, mobile phones, tablets, server equipment, electric bicycles and electric scooters. The list may expand in the future as the EU adopts requirements for additional product categories.

The European Commission also mentions vacuum cleaners as an example in its notice. For individual categories, specific obligations will apply in accordance with separate rules on ecodesign and reparability.

A single form will make it easier to compare services

The directive also introduces a European repair information form, which the repairer will be able to offer to the consumer before concluding a contract.

The form may include information about the repairer, a description of the error, the proposed repair, the price or method of its calculation, the maximum possible cost, the estimated duration of the repair, and the option to rent a replacement device.

Such an offer will generally have to be valid for at least 30 days. This will make it easier for consumers to compare offers from different repairers, without having to find out how much the repair will cost until after the device has been returned. The repairer will be able to charge for diagnostics, but will have to inform the customer of the cost in advance.

European online platform coming later

The European Commission will also set up an online platform where consumers can search for repairers in their country.

The platform will include national sections or links to relevant national pages. It will be open to independent repairers, providers of refurbished devices, buyers of defective products for refurbishment and community initiatives such as repair shops or so-called "repair cafés".

The Commission is expected to develop the common web interface by 31 July 2027, and the entire system is expected to become fully operational by early 2028.

The beginning of change, not its end

The European right to repair is an important step, but its actual impact will not depend solely on the text of the directive.

Much will depend on how Member States transpose the rules into national law, how they monitor their implementation and what penalties they set for infringements. Specific requirements for individual products will also be important, as they determine which parts must be replaceable and how long spare parts must be available.

The new rules also do not guarantee that every repair will be cheap. The concept of reasonable price leaves some room for interpretation, and repairs for older or severely damaged products may still be more expensive than their actual value.

However, the directive changes the starting point. A defective product will no longer automatically be considered waste, and the manufacturer will not be able to simply direct the customer to buy a new device without explanation.

The European Commission estimates that the new rules could stimulate around €4.8 billion in growth and investment in the EU. The main goal remains to reduce waste, raw material consumption and the costs incurred when people replace repairable products with new ones.