Analysis of the adopted Directive on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods

After years of intense campaigning by right to repair advocates, EU lawmakers have finally agreed upon new repair rules.(1) The Right to Repair Europe coalition, representing more than 140 organisations in 24 European countries, celebrates that the new law will pave the way for better access to affordable repairs for selected products. We applaud the rules on reasonable prices for original parts as well as the ban of software practices which prevent independent repair and the use of compatible and reused spare parts. This is a step in the right direction for affordable repair.

However, we must note that with the adoption of the law, a major chance is being missed to create a truly fair repair market in Europe and to ensure affordable repair solutions for the majority of products on the European market. We regret that the scope of products covered remains very narrow and that many loopholes were introduced. We call for a swift implementation of these rules, including Commission guidelines on the definition of “reasonable” prices for spare parts, a solid execution of the ban on anti-repair practices and the introduction of national financial incentives for repair by EU Member States. 

We urge the next EU Commission (post-EU elections in June 2024) to continue working on legal acts setting repairability requirements(2) for additional product categories to swiftly expand the scope of these new repair rules.

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