Each year, products are manufactured in Turkey and travel to markets across Europe. The European Union faces about 35 million tons of waste and 261 million tons of greenhouse gases from discarded goods. Many products are built to be repairable, yet end up in the trash prematurely, costing consumers an estimated 12 billion euros annually. The European Commission is pushing for a strong shift toward repairability, elevating the principle of the right to repair above the right of substitution. A recently approved bill requires manufacturers of televisions, appliances, and other consumer goods to offer a repair guarantee for between 5 and 10 years after purchase.
Brussels notes that when a product’s two-year statutory warranty expires, many households replace the item rather than seeking repair. Access to affordable repair services is often limited, and defective goods may be replaced during the warranty period. To promote sustainable consumption, the Commission is pursuing stricter rules that encourage longer life and easier maintenance of everyday items.
Under current rules for the sale of goods, consumers can request repairs or replacements free of charge for two years. The new directive would adjust this approach when repair costs are low or comparable to replacement, ensuring a free or prompt repair within a reasonable timeframe without causing inconvenience to the consumer.
After the two-year warranty window, consumers could require manufacturers to repair products for five to ten years, depending on the product type, unless a fault is technically irreparable. While repairs would not be free beyond the warranty period, the regulation would help consumers locate suitable repair services and would require workshops to provide a European repair information sheet detailing price and basic conditions for a 30-day period.
Products covered
The right to repair will primarily apply to washing machines, tumble dryers, household dishwashers, refrigerators, electronic displays, welding equipment, vacuum cleaners, servers, and data storage devices. Mobile phones, cordless phones, and tablets are expected to join the list soon. Brussels emphasizes that these measures could yield substantial benefits for consumers, the environment, and the economy. For consumers, repairs will become more attractive and accessible, enabling easier comparison of repair services and allowing manufacturers to repair certain goods for a fee beyond the statutory warranty, regardless of the defect type.
The environmental impact is a central consideration. Fewer discarded products translate into less material extraction, reduced manufacturing emissions, and lower greenhouse gas emissions across the production and sale lifecycle. Brussels estimates the initiative could save hundreds of thousands of tons in emissions and millions of tons of waste over the next decade and a half. The European Commission also projects significant economic gains: dealers and manufacturers could save billions of euros in the next 15 years by prioritizing repairs over replacements under the statutory framework, while consumers could see substantial savings as well.