European Union Enacts Right to Repair Directive Across 27 States

The Government of the European Union implemented the Right to Repair Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1799) on July 31, 2026. The law mandates that manufacturers of ten core product categories, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, televisions, and various household appliances, must provide repairs upon request even after warranties have expired.

To discourage the disposal of electronics, the directive prohibits hardware barriers and software locks that obstruct repair. Manufacturers must provide independent repair shops with the same access to spare parts, diagnostic software, and tools as official service centers, ensuring fair access to these resources for 5 to 10 years. Consumers who choose to repair a device rather than replace it while under warranty receive an automatic 12-month extension of the legal guarantee for the entire device.

Supporting infrastructure includes a standardized Repair Information Form and a European Repair Platform, which the European Commission will establish by January 2028. Member states are also required to implement domestic measures, such as repair vouchers, to promote sustainable consumption. The regulations apply to all brands selling within the European market, regardless of their country of origin. Outside the EU, the Right to Repair Aotearoa Coalition stated that the directive highlights a gap in consumer rights and sustainability policy between the European Union and New Zealand.