Right to Repair 2026: What Applies to Consumers?

For consumers, this means in concrete terms: they can invoke binding deadlines for the provision of spare parts. The Verbraucherzentrale Sachsen (Consumer Center Saxony) explained the changes in a statement and pointed to the expanded scope of application. The advisors see this as an important step in curbing the throwaway mentality for electronic devices.

One often overlooked point is the temporal reach of the new entitlements. Even those who purchased a product before the reform came into force can benefit under certain circumstances. "Das Recht auf Reparatur kann auch für Produkte gelten, die bereits vor dem Inkrafttreten des neuen Gesetzes gekauft wurden. Entscheidend für den Fristbeginn ist, wann der Hersteller das Gerät vom Markt genommen hat und ob es bereits vorher eine Pflicht zur Ersatzteilbereitstellung für diese Produktgruppe gab."

Scope: Older Devices May Also Be Covered

In a concrete dispute, two factors are therefore decisive: the date on which the manufacturer took the respective model off the market, and the question of whether the product group in question – such as smartphones, coffee machines, or e-scooters – was already subject to a spare parts regulation. Those who are unsure can contact the consumer centers in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, or Thuringia.

The consumer centers see themselves as the first point of contact for affected citizens. In addition to telephone and in-person advice, they also offer online checks that can be used to assess whether a specific device falls under the new requirements. Ralf Vogel, an advisor at the consumer center, stresses the importance of clear documentation: purchases should be recorded with receipt, model number, and date of purchase in order to enforce claims more easily later.

Manufacturer Obligations

The reform also changes manufacturers' obligations. They must keep spare parts available for a defined period and offer them at reasonable prices. In addition, repair information such as circuit diagrams or repair manuals is to become more accessible. This is intended to prevent manufacturers from artificially restricting access to spare parts or supplying only their own workshops.

For consumer protection work, the reform has a signaling effect: those who have hitherto resigned themselves to the note "no spare part available" now have a clearer basis for their claims. The Verbraucherzentrale Sachsen recommends seeking advice before an expensive new purchase. Retailers and manufacturers are also called upon to inform customers about their rights.

What Consumers Can Do Now

Not all products automatically fall under the new rules. The scope of application depends on whether the respective product group is regulated in the Ecodesign Regulation or in national provisions. Household appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators are covered, as is certain consumer electronics. For other devices – such as individual toy types or special tools – the requirements may differ.

In advisory practice, the consumer centers report growing interest. The number of inquiries about repair options has increased significantly since the beginning of the year, also because issues such as sustainability and rising living costs have made people more aware of the lifespan of products. "Reparieren statt wegwerfen" is not only an ecological imperative, but often also an economic advantage.

Manufacturers are also reacting: some companies now advertise official "repair scores" or programs in which defective devices are repaired at a fixed price. Consumer advocates welcome this development but caution that such voluntary offers must not replace statutory entitlements.

The reform is considered a building block of a broader European strategy for a circular economy. It is intended to conserve resources, reduce electronic waste, and strengthen consumers' independence from short-lived product cycles. Further amendments to the Ecodesign Regulation are planned for the coming years, which will gradually expand the scope of application.