EU Right‑to‑Repair rules to reshape electronics and car repairs from 2026

From 31 July 2026 the European Union’s Right‑to‑Repair directive will apply to a wide range of consumer electronics and household appliances. Manufacturers must make spare parts, repair documentation and service tools available at reasonable prices, even after the warranty period, and extend the seller’s liability for a further 12 months when a consumer chooses repair over replacement. The measure aims to curb the roughly 35 million tonnes of electronic waste generated annually in the EU and is projected to add up to €4.8 billion in economic value to the repair market.

A related EU regulation (EU 2018/858), updated in June 2026, obliges car makers to provide independent workshops with the same diagnostic and repair information that authorised dealers receive. The rule covers repair manuals, wiring diagrams, software updates and electronic service records, and requires manufacturers to offer this data on non‑discriminatory, proportional terms. Independent garages currently rely on commercial databases that cost thousands of euros per year, and the new regime is intended to level competition, although concerns remain about mandatory internet connectivity and access costs.