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By the end of July, EU member states must implement new legislation designed to make consumer goods easier to repair, reduce waste, and encourage longer-lasting products.
A major shift in European consumer protection and sustainability policy is about to take effect. By July 31, all European Union member states are required to implement Directive (EU) 2024/1799, commonly known as the “Right to Repair” directive. The legislation aims to make repairing products easier and more accessible, discourage the premature disposal of repairable goods, and tackle the long-standing issue of planned obsolescence.
The new rules represent an important step toward the European Union’s broader environmental and circular economy goals. Instead of encouraging consumers to replace broken products with new ones, the directive promotes repair as the preferred solution whenever it is technically possible. The objective is to extend the lifespan of consumer goods, reduce electronic and household waste, and lower the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and disposing of products.
One of the most significant changes introduced by the directive is the obligation placed on manufacturers to repair defective or damaged products, even after the legal warranty period has expired, provided that the item can still be repaired from a technical standpoint. This marks a substantial departure from previous practices, where consumers often found it more economical—or sometimes their only option—to purchase a replacement rather than repair an existing product.
The legislation is expected to affect a wide range of consumer goods, including household appliances, electronic devices and other products that are technically repairable. By making repairs more readily available, European lawmakers hope to reduce unnecessary consumption while giving consumers greater confidence that the products they purchase will have a longer useful life.
Transparency is another central feature of the new framework. Before any repair work begins, repair providers will be required to give consumers a standardized European Repair Information Form. This document is intended to provide clear and consistent information about the proposed service, helping customers make informed decisions before authorizing any repairs.
The form must include key details such as the type of repair required, the estimated time needed to complete the work, the expected cost of the repair and whether a temporary replacement product will be made available during the repair process. Standardizing this information across the European Union is expected to improve price transparency and make it easier for consumers to compare repair services.
The directive also looks beyond immediate repair obligations by introducing a long-term digital initiative. By July 31, 2027, the European Union plans to launch an online repair platform designed to connect consumers with repair professionals across member states.
The digital platform will serve multiple purposes. Consumers will be able to locate certified repair services, find sellers of refurbished goods, identify buyers interested in defective products for refurbishment and discover community-based repair initiatives such as repair cafés and collaborative workshops. The goal is to simplify access to repair services while strengthening Europe’s growing circular economy.
Italy has already begun the process of implementing the directive through draft legislation that updates the country’s Consumer Code. The proposed reforms are intended to align Italian law with the new European framework before the implementation deadline, ensuring that manufacturers, repair businesses and consumers are prepared for the new obligations.
According to Gabriele Melluso, president of the Italian consumer association Assoutenti, the changes represent an important milestone not only for consumer rights but also for environmental protection and industrial responsibility. He notes that millions of repairable products are discarded every year despite being technically capable of being restored to working condition.
The environmental impact is considerable. Across Europe, the disposal of repairable consumer products generates approximately 35 million tonnes of waste annually, creating significant environmental, economic and social costs. Manufacturing replacement products also requires additional raw materials, energy consumption and transportation, increasing carbon emissions throughout the production chain.
By encouraging repair instead of replacement, the European Union hopes to reduce waste generation while promoting more sustainable consumption habits. Consumers may also benefit financially, as repairing a product is often significantly less expensive than purchasing a brand-new replacement.
The legislation is equally significant in the fight against planned obsolescence, a practice frequently criticized by consumer organizations. Planned obsolescence refers to products being intentionally designed with limited lifespans or with repairs made unnecessarily difficult or expensive, encouraging consumers to buy replacements more frequently.
With manufacturers now facing greater responsibility for repairability, companies are expected to place increased emphasis on product durability, spare parts availability and designs that facilitate maintenance rather than replacement. This could gradually reshape manufacturing strategies across numerous industries.
Although businesses will need to adapt to the new requirements, the directive is widely viewed as a key component of Europe’s transition toward a more sustainable economic model. By extending product lifecycles, reducing waste and empowering consumers with greater repair options, the Right to Repair legislation aims to balance environmental protection with consumer rights while encouraging manufacturers to build products designed to last longer rather than simply sell more replacements.
Alessandro Fiorentino