Last updated on November 4, 2025
No. Under Directive (EU) 2024/1799, sellers cannot simply ignore repair options. The new rules require that consumers be offered repair as a remedy within the legal guarantee when repair is equal or cheaper than replacement. Beyond the guarantee, manufacturers must provide repair services for products subject to EU repairability requirements, ensuring access to spare parts and repair information.
Why the EU Is Changing the Game
For decades, the default response to a broken appliance was simple: replace it. But that habit comes at a cost—mountains of waste, soaring emissions, and a drain on resources. The EU’s new Repair Directive, adopted on 13 June 2024 and in force since 30 July 2024, flips the script. It’s part of the European Green Deal and the circular economy push, aiming to make repair the norm rather than the exception.
From 31 July 2026, Member States must apply these rules nationally. The goal? Extend product lifespans, cut waste, and empower consumers to choose repair over replacement without hassle or hidden costs.
The Legal Backbone
Directive (EU) 2024/1799 introduces common rules promoting repair both within and beyond the legal guarantee:
- Within the legal guarantee: Sellers must offer repair as the first remedy when it is equal in cost or cheaper than replacement. This amends the Sale of Goods Directive (EU) 2019/771.
- Beyond the legal guarantee: Manufacturers of products listed in Annex II—such as washing machines, smartphones, dishwashers, and TVs—must provide repair services for several years after purchase, unless repair is technically impossible.
These obligations are reinforced by bans on practices that block repair, such as restrictive software or contractual clauses. Manufacturers must also provide spare parts at reasonable prices and publish repair information online, including indicative repair costs.
What Sellers and Manufacturers Must Do
The Directive imposes clear duties:
- Offer repair as a remedy during the guarantee period when cost conditions are met.
- Ensure consumers can access repair services easily, including through a European online repair platform launching by 1 January 2028.
- Provide transparent pricing and conditions via the European Repair Information Form, enabling consumers to compare offers.
- Avoid obstacles to repair, such as proprietary tools or unjustified refusals based on previous repairs by third parties.
Failure to comply could trigger enforcement under EU consumer protection rules, including penalties and reputational risks.
Why This Matters for Consumers
The Directive doesn’t just tweak legal texts—it changes consumer experience. Choosing repair will now extend the legal guarantee by 12 months, making repair more attractive than replacement. Combined with easier access to repairers and spare parts, this creates a genuine “right to repair” across the EU.
Cultural and Economic Impact
Europeans are increasingly embracing sustainability, and this law reflects that cultural shift. It also boosts the repair sector, creating local jobs and reducing dependency on raw materials. The Commission estimates billions in savings and significant reductions in waste and emissions.
Practical Timeline
- 30 July 2024: Directive enters into force.
- 31 July 2026: Member States apply national rules.
- 31 July 2027: European repair platform interface ready.
- 1 January 2028: Platform fully operational.
By 2030, the EU expects repair to become a mainstream choice, supported by ecodesign rules that make products easier to fix from the start.
The Bottom Line
EU sellers cannot sidestep repair obligations under the new Directive. Repair is no longer a courtesy—it’s a legal requirement designed to protect consumers, foster sustainability, and reshape the market.
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Sources
Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on common rules promoting the repair of goods
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1799/oj/eng
10.07.2024
Directive on repair of goods – European Commission
https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/consumer-protection-law/directive-repair-goods_en
Ongoing