Germany Prepares New Rules on the Right to Repair

Public Germany Author: Ivana Picajkić

Germany is revising sales law to align with the EU Right to Repair Directive, aiming to facilitate product repairs over new purchases. Implementing this directive by July 31, 2026, manufacturers will be obligated to repair certain products during their lifecycle, even without direct contracts with consumers. Initial focus is on specific groups, with repairs needing to be affordable and timely. The draft law proposes consumer incentives, standardized repair information, and a shift in defect assessments based on repairability.

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Content accuracy validation date: 22.06.2026

Content accuracy validation time: 08:10h

Germany is preparing changes to its sales law as part of the implementation of the EU Right to Repair Directive. The new rules aim to make product repairs easier and more attractive for consumers, instead of encouraging them to buy new products.

The EU rules are part of the wider European Green Deal and are linked to sustainability and consumer protection. They build on earlier EU legislation on the sale of goods and ecodesign requirements for products.

Germany must implement the Directive by July 31, 2026. The German government has already adopted a draft bill, which is now going through the parliamentary process.

Under the planned rules, manufacturers would have a legal obligation to repair certain products during their usual life cycle. This obligation would apply even if there is no direct contract between the manufacturer and the consumer. If the manufacturer is not based in the EU, the obligation may apply to its agent, importer or distributor.

At first, the repair obligation would apply only to specific product groups covered by EU ecodesign rules. These include mainly household appliances, displays, servers, data storage products, mobile phones, welding equipment and goods using batteries for light means of transport. However, the list may expand over time.

Repairs would need to be carried out either free of charge or at a reasonable price, within a reasonable period. After the repair, the product must be usable for its intended purpose again.

The draft law also introduces an incentive for consumers to choose repair instead of replacement. If a consumer chooses repair under warranty rules, the standard limitation period could be extended from two years to three years.

Manufacturers would also have to provide information about repair services and indicative prices. They would need to make spare parts and tools available at reasonable prices. Practices that make repairs more difficult, such as certain hardware or software restrictions, would also be prohibited.

A standard European repair form is also planned. This should help consumers compare repair offers more easily.

One important change is that repairability could become part of the legal assessment of whether a product is defective. This means that if a product cannot be repaired in a way that a buyer can reasonably expect, it may be considered defective under German law.

This rule could have a broad impact because it would apply to all products, not only to the product groups covered by the specific repair obligation.

For manufacturers and retailers, the changes could be significant. They may need to review product design, spare parts availability, repair processes and after-sales services. Repairability may also become an important factor in product development and competition.

The exact final rules are not yet known, as the draft bill may still change during the parliamentary process.

Germany Prepares New Rules on the Right to Repair

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