If you export consumer goods to Europe, a major regulatory shift is coming. On 31 July 2026, the EU’s Right to Repair Directive (EU 2024/1799) will take effect, and it has significant implications for UK-based manufacturers.
Even though this is an EU law, UK businesses selling into the EU must comply. Here are the essentials you need to know:
The Implementation Timeline
The Directive was adopted on 13 June 2024, and EU Member States must transpose its provisions into national law by 31 July 2026. Critically, once the law takes effect, the obligation to repair will apply even to products purchased before the July 2026 application date.
- The New Obligation to Repair
Outside of the legal guarantee, manufacturers are now mandated to repair specific products within a reasonable time and at a “reasonable” price.
- Scope of Products (Annex II): The obligation currently applies to products already subject to reparability requirements under existing EU law, such as washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerating appliances, vacuum cleaners, smartphones, tablets, and light means of transport (LMT) batteries. This list will be updated annually as new product-specific ecodesign requirements are established.
- Duration of Obligation: The obligation to repair lasts for the period during which the manufacturer is required to make spare parts available under product-specific EU legislation, typically ranging from 5 to 10 years.
- Reasonable Pricing: While the Directive does not set specific price caps, “reasonable” is defined as a price that is not prohibitive and does not discourage consumers from choosing repair over replacement.
- Refusal of Repair: Manufacturers can only refuse repair if it is impossible. Repair cannot be refused for purely economic reasons or because a previous repair was performed by an independent third party or the consumer.
- Compliance for Non-EU Manufacturers
For manufacturers established outside the European Union (such as those in the UK, US, or China), the legal responsibility to fulfill the repair obligation shifts to:
- The manufacturer’s EU-based authorised representative.
- If no authorised representative exists, the EU-based importer.
- As a last resort, the EU-based distributor or seller.
- Amendments to Consumer Law (Directive (EU) 2019/771)
The Directive introduces significant changes to the Sale of Goods Directive to incentivise repair during the legal guarantee period:
- 12-Month Warranty Extension: If a consumer chooses repair over replacement for a defective product during the statutory warranty period, the legal guarantee for the entire product is extended by at least 12 months. This applies to products purchased from 31 July 2026 onwards.
- The “Repair First” Principle: Sellers will be obliged to incentivise consumers to choose repair. A seller can only refuse repair if it would entail disproportionate costs compared to replacement.
- Repairability as a Legal Characteristic: “Repairability” is now a legally required product characteristic, similar to durability and functionality. Sellers may be in breach of contract if a product is less repairable than a consumer would reasonably expect.
- Supporting Infrastructure
- European Online Repair Platform: By 2027, an EU-wide platform will be established to help consumers find local repair services and sellers of refurbished goods.
- European Repair Information Form: A voluntary, standardised form will allow repairers to provide transparent quotes. If offered, the quote remains valid for 30 days.
- Access to Parts and Information: Manufacturers are prohibited from using software or hardware techniques to impede repairs by independent repairers, provided safety and intellectual property rights are respected.
- Status in the United Kingdom
The Right to Repair Directive will not apply in the UK, though Northern Ireland may remain aligned under the Windsor Framework. UK manufacturers selling into the EU must still comply with these regulations for their European exports. Currently, the UK maintains its own more limited “right to repair” through the Ecodesign Regulations 2010 and 2021, which cover a narrower range of household appliances.
Recommended Preparatory Actions
Affected businesses should immediately review product designs for ease of disassembly, assess spare part supply chains, and update warranty terms to reflect the 12-month extension. Additionally, manufacturers must prepare to publish indicative repair prices and service information on a free-access website.
