EU adopts right‑to‑repair rules for fashion and appliances

The European Union has introduced new legislation to extend product‑life obligations across several sectors. Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 expands the Ecodesign framework to textiles, requiring large fashion companies to ensure durability, reparability, up‑datability and recyclability of garments and to stop destroying unsold stock after 19 June 2026, except for limited exemptions.

In parallel, Directive 2024/1799 establishes a “right to repair” for consumer goods. From 31 July 2026 producers must provide spare parts and repair services at reasonable prices, even beyond the legal warranty, and must supply a standardized repair information form to consumers. The rules apply to appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and mobile phones, and obligate non‑EU manufacturers’ EU representatives or importers to comply. Italy must transpose the directive by the end of July 2026, while Romania is preparing national measures, including mandatory price‑list displays for repair services overseen by the National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC). The measures aim to curb waste, reduce premature disposal of 35 million tonnes of electronic waste annually in Europe, and combat planned obsolescence.