The EU Right to Repair Directive (Directive 2024/1799/EU) becomes national law across all EU Member States on July 31, 2026. But which products actually benefit from the new repair rights, and what obligations does it place on manufacturers? This guide answers the most-searched question: does my product qualify under the EU Right to Repair Directive?
What 'Coverage' Actually Means
The EU Right to Repair Directive does not cover all products. It builds on the EU Ecodesign Regulation framework, which applies repairability requirements product-by-product through delegated regulations. When a product is 'covered', manufacturers face four specific obligations: (1) make spare parts available to independent repairers at fair prices, (2) provide repair information access on reasonable terms, (3) offer repair before replacement during the legal guarantee period, and (4) provide a standardised European Repair Information Form before each repair.
A key protection: manufacturers cannot void your warranty solely because you used a non-authorised repairer, as long as the repair was carried out competently and using compatible parts. This ends the practice of repair monopolies, where manufacturers refused parts to independent repair shops to drive customers back to expensive authorised service centres.
Covered Product Categories
| Product | Ecodesign Regulation | Rules In Force From | Covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartphones and cordless phones | (EU) 2023/1670 | June 2025 | ✓ Yes |
| Tablets | (EU) 2023/1670 | June 2025 | ✓ Yes |
| Laptops and notebooks | (EU) 2023/1670 | June 2025 | ✓ Yes |
| Washing machines / washer-dryers | (EU) 2019/2023 | March 2021 | ✓ Yes |
| Dishwashers | (EU) 2019/2022 | March 2021 | ✓ Yes |
| Refrigerators and freezers | (EU) 2019/2019 | March 2021 | ✓ Yes |
| Vacuum cleaners (corded) | (EU) 2019/2021 ref. | March 2021 | ✓ Partial |
| Televisions and monitors | (EU) 2019/2021 | March 2021 | ✓ Yes |
| LED lighting / luminaires | (EU) 2019/2020 | September 2021 | ✓ Limited |
| Ovens and hobs | Not yet regulated | N/A | ✗ Not covered |
| Tumble dryers | Energy efficiency only | N/A | ✗ Not covered |
| Cameras | Not regulated | N/A | ✗ Not covered |
| Game consoles | Not regulated | N/A | ✗ Not covered |
| Wearables / smartwatches | Not regulated | N/A | ✗ Not covered |
| Headphones / earphones | Under review (ESPR) | TBD | ✗ Not yet |
Smartphones, Tablets, and Laptops
Regulation (EU) 2023/1670, the Ecodesign for smartphones, tablets, and laptops, took effect for new models from June 2025. This is the most significant expansion of EU repairability rights to consumer electronics.
- Spare parts (displays, batteries, back covers, charging ports, cameras) available for 5 years after last unit sold
- Software security updates required for minimum 5 years; functional OS updates for minimum 3 years
- Battery must retain ≥80% capacity after 800 full charge cycles (smartphones/tablets) or 1,000 cycles (laptops)
- Battery must be replaceable by a professional repairer with commonly available tools
- Repairability score declared on product label (A–G scale for some parameters)
- Manufacturers cannot block independent repairers using software locks or non-standard fasteners
In our RepairScore database, smartphones with the best repairability scores include the Fairphone 5 (96/100), Nokia G42 5G (78/100), and Google Pixel 8 (76/100). For laptops, the Framework Laptop 13 AMD (94/100) is the clear leader, its fully modular, user-repairable design was ahead of EU regulations by years.
Washing Machines
Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 has applied since March 2021, washing machines were among the first products to receive strong EU Ecodesign repair protections. Spare parts (motor, drum bearings, control board, door interlock, pump) must be available to professional repairers for 10 years from the date the last unit was manufactured. Common consumable parts (door seals, filters, hoses) must also be available to consumers directly.
In our RepairScore database, Miele (WSD663: 88/100) and AEG (L9FEB969C: 76/100) score highest for washing machine repairability. German appliance brands consistently outperform on parts availability and modular design.
Dishwashers, Refrigerators, and Other Appliances
Dishwashers (Regulation EU 2019/2022) and refrigerators (Regulation EU 2019/2019) have had mandatory repair requirements since March 2021. Dishwasher spare parts, filters, spray arms, door hinges, electronics, must be available for 10 years. Refrigerator compressors, cooling units, and thermostats for 7 years. Both require manufacturers to publish repair documentation accessible to professional repairers.
Products Not Yet Covered, What's Coming
Several major product categories are not yet covered by EU Ecodesign repairability rules, and therefore not fully protected under the Right to Repair Directive in 2026. This includes ovens, tumble dryers, cameras, game consoles, and wearables. However, the EU's Sustainable Products Regulation (EU 2024/1781), known as ESPR, establishes a rolling work plan to bring additional product categories under mandatory sustainability and repairability requirements over 2026–2030. Headphones, game consoles, and textiles are in the current ESPR review pipeline.
Key Dates to Know
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 2021 | First wave Ecodesign rules, washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, fridges, vacuum cleaners |
| June 2025 | Smartphones, tablets, and laptops Ecodesign repairability rules take effect |
| July 31, 2026 | EU Right to Repair Directive transposed into national law across all EU Member States |
| 2026–2030 | ESPR expansion to additional product categories (headphones, game consoles, textiles) |
Your RepairScore: Know Before You Buy
The best time to think about repairability is before you buy. RepairScore rates every product in our database on a 0–100 scale across EU EPREL official repairability data, spare parts availability, iFixit teardown difficulty, community repair success rate, and product age. Being covered by the Directive doesn't guarantee a high RepairScore, a product can have legal repair rights but still be difficult to fix in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EU Right to Repair apply to my old iPhone or Samsung bought before 2026? The Ecodesign repairability rules for smartphones apply to models placed on the market from June 2025 onward. For older devices, you're still covered by the EU 2-year legal guarantee and your national consumer rights, but the specific right to choose third-party repair under the Directive applies to newer models.
What if I'm in the UK? The UK has its own Product Regulation and Metrology Bill (2024) with similar repairability provisions, but different timelines and scope. The EU Directive does not apply in the UK post-Brexit.
What's the difference between a product being 'covered' and having a good RepairScore? A product can be covered by the Directive (meaning the manufacturer has legal obligations) but still have a low RepairScore if it's difficult to repair in practice. Coverage is about rights; RepairScore is about real-world repairability.