EU rules expand repair rights for electronics

Consumers in the European Union now have expanded rights to get their broken electronics repaired, thanks to new rules that took effect on July 31. The regulations target specific household appliances and electronics, including washing machines, vacuum cleaners, mobile phones, and tablets.

Under the new legislation, manufacturers are obligated to supply necessary spare parts and information about repair options. They must also ensure repairs are conducted either free of charge or at a reasonable cost, and completed within a sensible period. Additionally, the legal guarantee for products will be extended by at least 12 months if a consumer opts for repair over replacement during the seller's liability period.

However, the rules do not guarantee that every broken device can be fixed for free. For those seeking repair services, a new European online repair platform is slated for launch in 2027, with full operation expected by January 1, 2028. This platform aims to connect consumers with repair providers.

The European Commission highlighted that discarding repairable items contributes significantly to waste and emissions. Annually, the EU generates 35 million tons of waste and 261 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from such practices. Replacing goods instead of repairing them costs consumers nearly 12 billion euros each year.