Repairability Score in the EU Is Now in Effect

Blog EN

Grafika litery A–E symbolizującą punktację naprawialności wprowadzoną przez nowe unijne przepisy, mającą na celu wydłużenie życia urządzeń elektronicznych. Grafika s písmeny A–E symbolizuje hodnocení opravitelnosti zavedené novými předpisy EU, jejichž cílem je prodloužit životnost elektronických zařízení. Grafik mit den Buchstaben A–E symbolisiert die Reparaturfähigkeitsbewertung der neuen EU-Vorschriften, die die Lebensdauer elektronischer Geräte verlängern soll. Graphic with letters A–E symbolizing the repairability score introduced by new EU regulations, aimed at extending the lifespan of electronic devices.

Repairability Score in the EU Is Now in Effect – What Do the New Regulations Mean for Electronics Manufacturers?

 

The European Union continues to pursue the goals of the Green Deal and the circular economy.
In recent years, two key legislative acts have been adopted:

  • Directive (EU) 2024/1799, known as the Right to Repair Directive (R2R),

  • and Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

Together, these new laws are designed to enable repair instead of replacement and to guarantee consumers the right to repair defective products under clear and transparent conditions.

Right to Repair Directive (R2R) – A New European Law

The Right to Repair Directive (R2R) entered into force on July 30, 2024, and EU Member States must transpose it into national law by July 31, 2026.
This means the EU is currently in the implementation stage – developing repair platforms and holding national consultations on manufacturers’ repair obligations.

The purpose of this legislation is to ensure that consumers have the right to request the repair of a defective product not only during the warranty period, but also after it expires, provided that the repair is technically feasible and economically justified.

Repair Obligation – What It Means for Manufacturers

According to the Right to Repair Directive, in specific cases, manufacturers will be obliged to repair a product instead of offering a replacement.
This obligation applies to products for which the EU has established repairability requirements under the Ecodesign Regulation — such as washing machines, dishwashers, smartphones, and tablets.

The R2R Directive does not yet impose a universal obligation to repair all electronic devices, but it creates the legal framework that allows for a gradual expansion of the rule to other product groups.

Repairability Score – First Products Already Rated

Starting June 20, 2025, new EU regulations for smartphones and tablets came into effect, introducing a Repairability Label with grades from A to E.
The evaluation criteria include:

  • Availability of spare parts,

  • Ease of disassembly,

  • Access to technical documentation,

  • Delivery time for parts (5–10 days),

  • Duration of software support.

This system, connected to the ESPR (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781), marks the first practical implementation stage of the Right to Repair principles in the EU.

Comparison of repairability score classes for smartphones under the EU repairability score – the illustration shows how new EU rules help provide consumers with transparency when choosing devices.

European Repair Information Form – A New Tool for Consumers

The new R2R Directive also introduces the European Repair Information Form.
Not every manufacturer is required to provide it, but every repair service provider or manufacturer offering repairs must present it upon consumer request.

The form includes details such as:

  • Estimated repair time,

  • Repair cost,

  • Post-repair warranty,

  • Service conditions and parts availability.

The terms stated in the form are valid for 30 days, allowing consumers sufficient time to make an informed decision.

Repair Shops and the Growth of the Repair Services Market

The R2R Directive obliges Member States to support independent repair shops to ensure consumers have a real choice for repair services.
Manufacturers must share technical documentation, disassembly instructions, and diagnostic data with authorized and independent repair centers.

This change allows independent repair shops to compete with authorized service networks — leading to lower repair prices and shorter turnaround times.

A man repairs electronic equipment in a workshop – the scene illustrates the growth of repair networks and the digital online platform designed to give consumers easier access to repair services.

European and National Repair Platforms

The European Commission is working on the launch of an EU-wide online repair platform, while each Member State will be required to establish its own national repair platform.

These platforms will not serve as registers of all repairs, but rather as search engines for repair services, enabling consumers to find workshops nearby and compare offers.

Information available on the platforms will include:

  • Service provider profiles,

  • Scope of repair services offered,

  • Estimated repair time and post-repair warranty,

  • Customer reviews and satisfaction ratings.

This initiative is part of the EU’s strategy to make repair easier, faster, and more transparent for consumers across Europe.

Post-Repair Warranty – New Consumer Protection Rules

The R2R Directive introduces a new rule:
If a consumer chooses to repair a product under warranty or statutory guarantee, the warranty period is automatically extended by 12 months.

This measure encourages consumers to opt for repair instead of replacement and helps build trust in brands that provide genuine repair options.

For manufacturers, it also introduces a competitive advantage – offering repair instead of replacement can strengthen brand reputation, reduce waste, and demonstrate environmental responsibility.

A man repairs electronic equipment in a workshop – the scene illustrates the growth of repair networks and the digital online platform designed to give consumers easier access to repair services.

Right to Information – New Obligations for Manufacturers

The new R2R regulations require manufacturers to inform consumers about available repair options, service locations, and estimated repair times.
These details must be provided at the point of sale — in the product description, warranty card, or on the manufacturer’s website.

The goal is complete transparency.
Consumers should know in advance whether a device can be repaired, where it can be repaired, and at what cost.

Manufacturers who fail to disclose this information may face penalties or limitations in certain national markets once the directive is fully implemented in 2026.

Impact on the Repair Market

The new Right to Repair Directive aims to create a pan-European repair market, which will become a key pillar of the EU circular economy.

Consumers will gain:

  • Access to repair offer comparison tools,

  • The ability to obtain a binding repair quote via the European Repair Information Form,

  • Greater confidence that devices will not be prematurely retired or scrapped.

For electronics manufacturers, this is a strategic opportunity — to enhance reputation, align with sustainability goals, and meet growing consumer demand for long-lasting products.

Manufacturers’ Repair Obligations – How the Electronics Industry Will Change

In the coming years, the manufacturer’s obligation to repair will gradually expand to cover additional product categories.
Initially, the regulation will apply to products already covered by detailed Ecodesign rules — such as smartphones, tablets, and household appliances (e.g. washing machines, dishwashers).

Manufacturers will be required to:

  • Provide spare parts for a defined minimum period after the product is placed on the market,

  • Offer repair services at reasonable prices and within transparent time frames,

  • Enable repairs of electronic devices even after the warranty period has expired.

This change represents a major shift in the European electronics industry — from a “replace and discard” model toward a sustainable repair ecosystem.
It will require new logistics, spare-part supply chains, and collaboration with independent repair workshops across Europe.

A technician repairs a drone in a professional service center, using information available on an online platform dedicated to repairs under the R2R directive.

European Law and the Future of Repairability

European law now defines a new standard of responsibility for manufacturers.
In the years to come, the repair process will become an integral part of the product life cycle, rather than an optional afterthought.

The joint efforts of the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the manufacturing sector are directed toward making repair a normal and expected option — not an exception.

This shift aligns with the broader goals of the European Green Deal, resource efficiency, and sustainable consumption.
Manufacturers who adapt early will not only comply with new rules but also gain reputational and economic benefits by aligning their products with repairability and durability expectations.

Repairability Scoring and the Right to Repair – A Chance, Not a Burden

The new Right to Repair Directive (R2R) and Repairability Scoring System are not a threat to manufacturers, but rather a catalyst for modernization and innovation.
They invite companies to rethink product design — not as disposable, but as durable, serviceable, and environmentally responsible.

For consumers, this means repairs will become easier, faster, and more cost-effective.
For manufacturers, it is a chance to turn compliance into competitive advantage and to position repair as part of brand integrity and customer trust.

AG TermoPasty – Supporting the Right to Repair Philosophy

This is precisely the direction that AG TermoPasty has been following for years.
From the beginning, the company has believed that the durability of electronics starts with attention to detail — choosing the right materials that enable maintenance, repair, and regeneration.

What is now becoming a legal requirement in Europe has long been a core value for AG TermoPasty:

“It is better to preserve than to discard, better to repair than to replace.”

Our products — potting compounds, fluxes, thermal pastes, and cleaning solutions — help maintain devices in excellent condition, supporting the Right to Repair philosophy in practice.

Visit termopasty.com to learn how AG TermoPasty’s technical chemistry supports manufacturers and users in building a more durable and repairable world of electronics.

Sources

  • Directive (EU) 2024/1799 – Right to Repair Directive, European Parliament and Council, July 30, 2024.

  • Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 – Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), 2024.

  • European Commission, Ecodesign: smartphones and tablets repairability label, June 20, 2025.

  • Repair.eu, European platform for repair services and consumer rights, 2025.

  • Joint Research Centre (JRC), Repairability methodology for electronic devices, 2024.

  • Reuters, EU Parliament approves rules requiring companies to repair worn-out products, 2024.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy overview

This site uses cookies to provide you with the best possible service. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team understand which sections of the site are most interesting and useful to you.