Right to Repair Comes into Effect

As of July 31, 2026, manufacturers are required to offer repairs at a reasonable price. The deadlines for this obligation vary by product group and range from 7 to 10 years from the time the last device of the respective model was released to the market. This applies regardless of the purchase date of the device. Affected products include dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, televisions, washing machines, e-bikes, as well as smartphones and tablets.

For some of these devices, manufacturers must provide spare parts, with the deadline for smartphones already in effect since July 20, 2025. For devices such as vacuum cleaners and robotic vacuums, repairability must be guaranteed at a "reasonable" price, but there is no obligation to provide spare parts. Additional product groups are expected to be included in the regulation in the future. The new right to repair aims to extend the lifespan of devices and reduce the amount of electronic waste.

Consumers should not be forced to dispose of defective devices immediately simply because repair costs are too high or spare parts are unavailable. Manufacturers must design their products to be repairable, which includes the use of replaceable batteries instead of built-in batteries. However, the regulation does not mean that repairs are free of charge. Manufacturers may charge fees for repairs but must ensure that these are not excessive. Additionally, they are required to publish typical repair prices on their websites to promote transparency.

The Consumer Center of Rhineland-Palatinate has emphasized that the new right to repair is an important measure to promote sustainability in the handling of electrical devices. However, the exact definition of what is considered "reasonable" has not been established, which could lead to uncertainties. The implementation of the right to repair is also expected to impact the manufacturing processes of companies. Manufacturers will need to design their products to be easier to repair, which could potentially lead to a shift in production. The Consumer Center anticipates that this could ultimately provide a competitive advantage for companies focusing on sustainable products.

The EU directive is part of a broader plan to promote the circular economy and reduce waste. Consumers are encouraged to have defective devices repaired rather than discarded. This could also lead to an increase in demand for repair services, which in turn could create new business opportunities. Initial feedback from consumer advocates and manufacturers is expected in the coming weeks as the implementation of the new law begins in practice. The Consumer Center has already announced that it will closely monitor developments to ensure that consumer rights are upheld. The EU directive on the right to repair will come into effect on July 31, 2026, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable economy.