Right to Repair: the other EU Member States are getting ready. What does the directive entail?

One of the most important strategies for the circular economy is to extend the useful life of objects by repairing them when they break, avoiding premature disposal when they could still be useful.

With this in mind, in June 2024, the European Union adopted Directive 2024/1799, better known as the “Right to Repair”. Member States have two years from the date of entry into force, 30 July 2024, to implement it into national law and apply it: 31 July 2026 is therefore the deadline by which EU citizens will see their right to repair consumer goods become a reality.

The proposal, submitted by the EU Commission on 22 March 2023, complements other recent EU legislation aimed at promoting sustainable consumption. Among these, the Ecodesign Regulation encourages the production of repairable products, while the Consumer Empowerment for Green Transition Directive aims to promote more informed purchasing decisions.


The figures
According to the European Council, the premature disposal of repairable goods annually generates a huge amount of waste, equal to approximately 35 million tonnes, and a significant consumption of resources, estimated at 30 million tonnes, in addition to 261 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. A scenario influenced by consumer habits and business practices: it is currently easier and more convenient for citizens to buy a new product than to have an old one repaired, not least because manufacturers themselves often discourage repairs. 

The new EU regulation seeks to change this situation by encouraging more sustainable consumption. How?
On one hand, by raising consumer awareness to reuse products as much as possible, giving them a second life, finding creative ways to reuse them and having them repaired if defective or damaged. On the other hand, by encouraging manufacturers to produce goods that last longer and can be repaired, reused and recycled.

Economic, social and environmental benefits can be achieved this way: the attractiveness of the repair sector is increased, quality jobs are created, and waste and consumption of critical raw materials are reduced. Overall, the outlook is for €4.8 billion in growth and investment in the EU.

 

• You may also be interested in: The global chessboard of critical raw materials and the challenge of the circular economy

The EU strategy
What does the Right to Repair Directive entail in detail?
 

• Firstly, the obligation to repair: consumers will be able to ask manufacturers to repair products that are technically repairable under EU law, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners or smartphones. Repairs must be carried out within a reasonable time-frame and at a reasonable price, unless the service is provided free of charge. Manufacturers will have to provide easily accessible information on repair services (including prices) and ensure access to spare parts at reasonable prices.
   
• Secondly, the legal warranty is expected to be extended: consumers will have the right to choose between repair and replacement of defective products within the seller's liability period covered. If the former option is pursued, the seller's liability period will be extended by at least 12 months from the moment the product is repaired.
   
• By 2027, a new European online repair platform should be operational, as an extension of the “Your Europe” portal, with the aim of connecting consumers and repairers. The platform will have sections for each Member State to help consumers find available offers and increase the visibility of repairers.
   
• Moreover, the new legislation requires repairers to provide consumers with a free European repair information form containing details such as repair conditions, time required to complete the work, prices and replacement products. This information will be valid for 30 calendar days, but the parties may agree to extend this period.

Focus on Italy
Around eight months remain until Member States must implement EU Directive 2024/1799. Italy is also moving in this direction: the transposition of the new legislation has been included in the European delegation's bill approved by the Council of Ministers on 22 July 2025. The text needs to be discussed and approved by the House and Senate, and then the “Right to Repair” principles will come into force after 31 July 2026.

The new EU labels
In this respect, on 30 September 2025, the European Commission introduced a new system of labels and warnings valid throughout the EU for products sold on the EU market. This initiative is one of the measures to implement the Directive on consumer empowerment for the green transition, which will apply from next year.

The goal is to encourage companies to provide consumers with better information about their rights and to introduce uniform labelling, enabling citizens to make informed choices in favour of more durable goods. The mandatory information is designed to explain consumers' legal warranty rights and provide practical guidance on how to deal with non-compliant products: it must be clearly displayed in all EU retail outlets, both online and offline. A new product label for companies that voluntarily offer a warranty beyond the standard two-year period at no extra cost to the customer is also being introduced.
Written by Emanuele Bompan and Maria Carla Rota

This blog is a joint project by Ecomondo and Renewable Matter