Italy implements right to repair legislation

Italy has enacted Legislative Decree no. 176/2026, implementing the European Union's right to repair directive. Effective October 22, 2026, the law applies retroactively to goods sold since July 31, 2026, across 11 product categories, including smartphones, tablets, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and certain electric vehicles.

Under the new regulations, manufacturers must offer repairs even after the legal two-year warranty has expired, provided the repair is technically possible. These services must be provided either free of charge or at a reasonable price within a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, consumers who opt for repair instead of replacement during the legal warranty period will receive a one-time twelve-month extension of the seller's responsibility.

To support this transition, manufacturers are required to make spare parts and technical information available to independent repairers. While the law aims to reduce electronic waste and consumer costs, consumer advocacy group Codacons has raised concerns regarding the vagueness of terms such as “reasonable price” and the potential for diagnostic fees to discourage repairs on older devices.