With the implementation of the EU Directive on the Right to Repair in 2026, the European circular economy will reach another important milestone. The German Bundestag (federal government) has already approved the national implementation legislation. Although a vote in the Bundesrat (federal council) was scheduled for 10 July, the new regulations are expected to enter into force as early as 31 July 2026. Clearly, repairability is becoming a mandatory compliance requirement for producers, importers, and retailers and will significantly influence product development, service processes, and warranty management.
The new rules put particular emphasis on producers’ obligations. For affected product groups, repairs must be offered even after the statutory warranty period has expired, and consumers must be actively informed of this option. At the same time, products must not be designed in a way that unnecessarily hinders or prevents repairs. As a result, repairability is increasingly becoming a vital indicator of product quality, while failure to comply may lead to legal consequences. Retailers also face further obligations. If a customer chooses to have a product repaired during the statutory warranty period, the warranty will be extended by an additional twelve months. Companies should therefore review and adapt their service, complaint handling, and warranty processes at an early stage, while also assessing the impact on provisions, costs, and after-sales services.
Focus on spare parts and the Digital Product Passport
The long-term availability of replacement parts is another core requirement. Depending on the product category, mandatory retention periods will apply, ranging, for example, from seven years for smartphones to up to ten years for washing machines. As a result, spare parts management, inventory planning, and resilient supply chains will become increasingly important. Producers must ensure that replacement parts, repair information, and the necessary tools remain available over the long term. At the same time, the rollout of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is progressing. In the future, product, repair, and sustainability data will be more closely integrated. Companies should therefore begin structuring their product data, master data, and documentation today to meet future requirements for transparency and digital product information.
New requirements call for early preparation
Despite the legislative decisions, several practical questions remain unresolved, including appropriate pricing for repairs and replacement parts, as well as the specific scope of individual producers' obligations. Nevertheless, the overall direction is clear: the right to repair is becoming an integral part of European product regulation. Producers and retailers should therefore act without delay. Now is the time to assess the repairability of existing products, develop long-term spare parts strategies, adapt service and warranty processes, and prepare for the introduction of the Digital Product Passport. Companies that address these topics early and integrate them into their product, data, and compliance strategies can reduce regulatory risks while strengthening their competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.
Do you have questions about the latest regulatory requirements or upcoming obligations? The trade-e-bility team is happy to assist you.
