How to Read the EU Energy Label for Repairability (2026 Guide)

Since 2021, the EU Energy Label has included far more than just an energy efficiency rating. For washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, televisions, and other Ecodesign-regulated products, the label now carries a repairability class, a letter rating from A (easiest to repair) to G (hardest to repair). Yet surveys show fewer than 20% of EU consumers know this rating exists. This guide explains exactly what the repairability class means, how to find it, and how to use it before your next purchase.

What Is the EU Energy Label Repairability Class?

Under EU Regulation 2017/1369 (the Energy Labelling Regulation) and subsequent Ecodesign product regulations, manufacturers must declare a repairability class on the EU Energy Label for covered product categories. The class, A through G, is calculated from several standardised factors:

• Availability of spare parts (from manufacturer and third parties)
• Access to repair and technical documentation
• Ease of disassembly (use of standard tools vs proprietary fasteners)
• Software support availability (for smart products)
• Availability of repair and maintenance instructions for consumers

The weighting of these factors varies by product category. For washing machines and dishwashers, spare parts availability carries the highest weight. For televisions, software update support plays a significant role. The exact calculation methodology is defined in each product's Ecodesign Regulation (e.g., EU 2019/2022 for dishwashers, EU 2019/2021 for televisions).

Where to Find the Repairability Class on the Label

The EU Energy Label underwent a major redesign in 2021. The new label (for most product categories) displays ratings on an A–G scale rather than the old A+++–G scale. On the 2021 label format, the repairability class appears in a dedicated section distinct from the energy efficiency rating. Here is how to locate it:

1. Look at the bottom-left section of the label, this contains product-specific performance ratings.
2. Find the wrench/spanner icon (🔧), this is the EU symbol for repairability class.
3. Read the letter next to the wrench icon, A is the most repairable, G the least.
4. Scan the QR code on the label, it takes you directly to the product's entry in the EPREL database, where full repair documentation links are available.

On in-store labels and retailer websites, the repairability class may be displayed as a separate coloured band (green for A, red for G) or as text. Online listings on platforms like Amazon EU, MediaMarkt, or Coolblue are required to display the Energy Label electronically, including the repairability class.

What the A–G Scale Actually Means

How to Use the EPREL Database to Check Any Product

The EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) database is the official EU repository for all products covered by the Energy Labelling Regulation. Every product sold in the EU with an Energy Label must be registered in EPREL, and the registration includes the repairability class, spare parts availability data, and links to repair documentation.

1. Go to eprel.ec.europa.eu, the official EU EPREL public interface.
2. Select the product category (e.g., 'Washing machines', 'Televisions').
3. Search by brand name, model number, or scan the QR code on the physical label.
4. Click the product to view its full registration sheet, this includes the repairability class, spare parts availability years, energy class, and links to product documentation.
5. Look for the 'Repair and maintenance information' section, manufacturers with class A or B must provide accessible repair guides.

RepairScore integrates EPREL data directly into its scoring algorithm, the EPREL repairability index accounts for 30% of every RepairScore. When you check a product on repairscore.eu, you're seeing EPREL data combined with iFixit teardown scores, spare parts market analysis, and community repair reports.

Which Products Have a Repairability Class in 2026?

The Repairability Class vs. RepairScore: What's the Difference?

The EU Energy Label repairability class and RepairScore are related but different measures:

For the most accurate picture, use both. The official class tells you what the manufacturer declares; RepairScore tells you what real-world repair experience confirms. When they diverge significantly, it's usually a sign the manufacturer has over-declared their repairability.

Practical Buying Tips Using Repairability Data

• **Always check before you buy:** Use the EPREL QR code in store or check repairscore.eu before committing to a purchase. Five minutes of research can save hundreds in repair costs.
• **Minimum class C, aim for B or A:** Class D or below significantly increases your lifetime ownership cost. Appliances rated D–G are disproportionately likely to become uneconomical to repair within 5–7 years.
• **Verify parts availability years:** The EPREL sheet lists how many years spare parts are guaranteed. For appliances, target 10+ years; for electronics, 7+ years is reasonable.
• **Check third-party parts too:** Manufacturer parts availability matters, but so does the third-party ecosystem. iFixit coverage, Amazon EU spare parts listings, and eBay are good proxies.
• **Compare within category:** A washing machine rated B is fundamentally different from a smartphone rated B, use RepairScore's category pages to compare products within the same class.
• **Factor in the R2R Directive timeline:** From July 31, 2026, class A–C products must have repair parts available for at least 10 years post-manufacture. Buying class A–C now means you're covered under the new law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a higher repairability class always better?

Generally yes, class A products are the easiest to repair and have the most parts available. However, class alone doesn't determine repair cost. Some A-rated appliances use high-cost OEM parts; some B-rated products have thriving third-party parts ecosystems with much lower costs. Use RepairScore for the full picture.

Can I report a manufacturer that I think has mis-declared their repairability class?

Yes. Each EU member state has a Market Surveillance Authority (MSA) responsible for checking energy label compliance. In Germany, that's the Bundesnetzagentur; in France, the DGCCRF; in Spain, the CNMC. You can report suspected mis-declarations to your national MSA, under the EU Right to Repair Directive, enforcement powers have been significantly expanded from July 2026.

My product doesn't have a repairability class, is that legal?

It depends on the product category and when it was manufactured. Products manufactured before the Ecodesign regulation for their category entered into force (most appliances: March 2021) are not required to carry a repairability class. Products in categories not yet covered by Ecodesign requirements (e.g., ovens as of 2026) are also exempt. However, if a covered product was manufactured after the regulation's effective date and lacks a repairability class on its EPREL registration, that is a compliance violation.

How does RepairScore use EPREL data?

EPREL repairability data accounts for 30% of every RepairScore, the single largest component. We query the EPREL API for each product's registered repairability index, convert it to a 0–100 scale, and combine it with iFixit teardown scores (25%), spare parts availability (20%), community repair data (15%), and product age (10%). For products without an EPREL registration (e.g., cameras, which aren't Ecodesign-regulated), we use estimated scores based on comparable products and available teardown data.