The new EU Repair Act: repair over replacement

What this new European legislation means for your business

The European regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. Its latest legislation, the EU Repair Act, is placing greater responsibility on manufacturers throughout the entire product lifecycle. For Belgian technology companies, this shift extends beyond compliance. It creates new challenges and opportunities in product development, customer support, intellectual property management, and market positioning. Understanding the impact of this Directive today will help organisations prepare for tomorrow’s requirements and strengthen their competitive advantage.
 

More repair, less replacement, less waste

From 31 July 2026, EU member states must apply the national rules implementing the EU Repair Act, introducing new obligations making repair more attractive than replacement. Through the EU Repair Act, (officially the Right to Repair Directive (EU) 2024/1799), Europe is pushing strongly towards a circular economy in which products last longer, create less waste, and consume fewer raw materials. How? By telling consumers and companies to first try and repair products rather than replacing them right away.  

For many years, products have become increasingly difficult or expensive to repair because of spare parts being unavailable, software restricting repairs or replacement simply costing less than repairing. This changes as of July 2026, with the EU Repair Act introducing obligations for manufacturers, importers, and sellers regarding repairability, spare parts, repair information, and repair services.

Why is this legislation a turning point?

It creates a completely new European framework: until today, many companies were not legally required to repair products once the warranty period had expired. But now manufacturers of certain product categories, such as household appliances and mobility devices, will see themselves obliged to offer repair services for several years after having sold their products, unless repair is impossible.

They will also need to offer their consumers clearer information about repair options, repair prices, and spare parts availability. To streamline this process, Europe will launch a repair platform where consumers can easily find repair services, and sellers of refurbished products. On top of that, consumers choosing the repair option during the legal warranty period will receive at least an additional 12 months of warranty coverage.

Concrete changes for your company and customers

The EU Repair Act introduces eight important principles:

• Products should remain repairable for a longer period 
• Spare parts and repair information must remain available 
• Where repair obligations exist, manufacturers must offer repairs at a reasonable price, and within a reasonable timeframe
• Companies may not unnecessarily block repairs through software, hardware or contractual restrictions 
• Independent repairers may use compatible or second-hand spare parts under certain conditions 
• Manufacturers must offer consumers more transparency about repair possibilities and costs 
• Refurbished products will be recognised as part of the circular economy 
• Consumers will have access to a European repair platform for repair services and refurbished products

Specifically for Belgian technology companies, this legislation will affect product design, after-sales services, intellectual property management, customer communication, and compliance strategies.

The first product categories that will fall under the EU Repair Act are smartphones, tablets, laundry machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, electronic displays, vacuum cleaners, and products with batteries for e-bikes and e-scooters.

Key obligations for your company

Starting 31 July 2026, manufacturers must increasingly design products with repairability in mind. This translates into easier disassembly, replaceable parts, and better access to repair information. You must also ensure that spare parts remain available for several years, depending on the product category, and offer spare parts and tools at a reasonable price.

Next to that, manufacturers must continue to offer repair services even after the legal warranty period has ended. And offer consumers transparent information about repair options and costs.

Finally, you should carefully assess whether software restrictions, digital locks or contractual clauses could be considered illegal barriers to repair. Restrictions may still be possible for safety, cybersecurity, or intellectual property reasons, but they must be objectively justified.

Some practical examples
 

You are: a Belgian manufacturer of smart household appliances

You are a Belgian company producing connected kitchen appliances and selling them throughout Europe. Today, your customers often replace your product when a display module or battery fails because replacement parts are difficult to obtain.

Under the new EU Repair Act, you need to keep spare parts available for several years after selling your product. You should also provide your customers and independent repairers with repair information and options at a reasonable cost. This might mean that you have to redesign certain products so they can be opened and repaired more easily. You may also need to adapt supply chain contracts, spare parts logistics and customer support procedures.

You are: a producer of connected mobility devices

As a company selling e-scooters and battery powered mobility devices, you currently use software that only recognises batteries supplied directly by the manufacturer. Under the new legislation, restrictions that unnecessarily block compatible repairs could become problematic. You will need to carefully evaluate whether these restrictions are truly necessary for safety or cybersecurity reasons.

In addition, under parallel EU battery regulations, batteries for many portable products will have to become removable without specialised tools from 2027 onwards. This may require significant design updates for future product generations. 

How can you prepare for the EU Repair Act?
 

1. Review product design and repairability

Evaluate whether products can be repaired, disassembled and maintained in line with upcoming European requirements.

2. Reassess software, spare parts, and service strategies

Check whether current repair restrictions, spare parts pricing or service policies could create compliance risks.

3. Prepare internal processes and customer communication

Update warranty handling, repair documentation, consumer information, and after sales procedures before the new rules apply.

The EU Repair Act clearly shows that sustainability, compliance, and circular business models are becoming increasingly connected. Companies that anticipate these developments early can reduce risks while strengthening customer trust and competitiveness. And repair services, refurbishment activities and spare parts management can become valuable new business models within the circular economy.