About the Directive
Key features
What it means for consumers
What it means for manufacturers
Frequently asked questions
About repairmystuff.ie
Existing consumer rights in Ireland
Role of traders
Where consumers should go for assistance
Background and wider EU context
About the Directive
The EU Right to Repair Directive is designed to make it easier and more accessible for consumers to repair certain products instead of replacing them. It supports longer product lifespans, reduces waste and contributes to the transition to a circular economy.
What the Directive covers
The Directive applies to specific goods listed in Annex II of the Directive that are bought after 31 July 2026. It also applies to the listed goods bought before 31 July 2026 if the products were repairable when first sold and spare parts are available.
These goods are already subject to EU repairability requirements and include:
- household washing machines, washer-dryers, tumble dryers, dishwashers, refrigerating appliances and vacuum cleaners
- electronic displays including televisions
- welding equipment
- servers and data storage products
- mobile phones, cordless phones and slate tablets
- e-bikes, e-scooters, e-mopeds and other goods incorporating light means of transport (LMT) batteries
- domestic local space heaters
How the Directive supports repair
The Directive aims to make repair a more realistic option by:
- ensuring clearer and transparent information for consumers on repairs
- providing obligations for manufacturers of certain products around their repair
- providing for a standardised Repair Information Form
- providing for an EU online repair platform to help consumers find repairers
Key features of the Directive
Right to request repair
Consumers have the right to request repairs for products covered by EU repairability requirements and listed in Annex II of the Directive. This includes the product categories listed above.
European repair platform and Irish national platform
An EU-wide repair platform to help consumers search for and find repair services was established on 31 July 2026.
In Ireland, repairmystuff.ie will provide the basis for the national platform for this initiative. Repairmystuff.ie is managed by Monaghan County Council through the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
The Irish platform is being further developed for national compliance with the Directive. Member States have until 31 July 2027 to ensure their national platform fully complies with Article 7 of the Directive.
European Repair Information Form
The Directive provides for a voluntary European Repair Information Form. Repairers may give the form to consumers before a repair is agreed. The form must be free of charge unless a diagnostic service is required, in which case the consumer must be told the cost in advance. That diagnostic cost may be deducted from the repair price after the repair. The form must state:
- repairers’ identity and contact details
- product and defect details
- type of repair
- cost (or the pricing methodology and the maximum cost)
- time needed to carry out the repair
- availability of a replacement good during repair and any other services like removal, installation and transport
- validity period of the offer (minimum 30 days)
The form promotes transparency and helps consumers compare repair conditions, prices and timelines.
Manufacturer obligations
For products covered by the Directive, manufacturers must:
- offer repair services for those products where repairability requirements apply
- carry out repairs within a reasonable time and either free of charge or for a reasonable price
- those that make spare parts available shall offer them at reasonable prices that do not deter repair
- provide information about repair services and make repair-related information easily accessible to consumers
- may not use contractual terms, software restrictions or hardware measures that prevent repair unless objectively justified
- may not prevent the use of compatible, second-hand or certain 3D-printed spare parts where these comply with safety and legal requirements
If a manufacturer is not established in the EU, these responsibilities pass to their authorised representative, importer or distributor.
Manufacturers may sub-contract their repair obligations.
Repair during and after the legal guarantee period
For products covered by EU repairability requirements, the Directive supports repair during and after the legal guarantee period. In Ireland, consumers generally have up to six years to pursue a claim in relation to faulty goods, in line with the statute of limitations.
What it means for consumers
Consumers should benefit from easier access to repairs, clearer information about repair services and prices, more choice of repairers, and longer product lifespans. They may choose an independent repairer, use the EU or Irish repair platforms to find services, or contact a manufacturer directly where the product falls within the scope of the Directive.
What it means for manufacturers and their representatives
Manufacturers of covered products must make repair services available where repair is technically possible, carry out repairs within a reasonable time and for a reasonable price, provide accessible repair information, and avoid unjustified barriers to repair. Where manufacturers make spare parts available, prices must not discourage repair.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Directive mean everything can be repaired?
No. The repair obligation currently applies to specific categories of products that are subject to EU repairability requirements, such as certain household appliances, smartphones, tablets and electronic displays. The list may expand over time.
Can a manufacturer refuse to repair my product?
Yes, but only where repair is impossible or there are legitimate and objective reasons preventing it. Manufacturers cannot simply refuse repairs because a product is old or because a third party has previously repaired it.
Will repairs have to be free?
Not necessarily. Manufacturers and repairers may charge for repairs, but prices must be reasonable.
Can I use an independent repairer?
Yes. The Directive seeks to support independent repair markets and remove unnecessary barriers to repair, like access to spare parts.
What if spare parts are unavailable?
For products covered by the relevant repairability requirements and listed at Annex II of the Directive, manufacturers are expected to ensure spare parts remain available in accordance with applicable Ecodesign rules.
Does the Directive apply during a warranty or guarantee period?
Yes. The Directive encourages repair both during and after legal guarantee periods and introduces incentives that make repair a more attractive solution.
About repairmystuff.ie
Repairmystuff.ie is a free public digital directory of business-to-consumer repair enterprises in Ireland. It helps people search for repair providers across a range of product categories and supports the circular economy by encouraging repair and reuse.
The website is managed by Monaghan County Council and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. It will provide the basis for Ireland’s national repair platform under the Directive.
Existing consumer rights in Ireland
The Directive does not replace existing consumer protection laws. It builds on and complements rights that already exist under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, goods supplied to consumers must:
- be of the quality and performance that consumers can reasonably expect
- be fit for their intended purpose
- match their description, type, quantity and characteristics
- be durable and capable of functioning as consumers would reasonably expect
If goods do not meet these standards or do not conform with the contract, consumers may be entitled to remedies from the trader, including:
- repair of the goods
- replacement of the goods
- a price reduction, or
- termination of the contract and a refund, depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the issue
The trader who sold the goods remains primarily responsible where a consumer is seeking remedies for faulty goods under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
Role of traders
The Directive introduces new obligations for manufacturers, but it does not remove a trader’s responsibilities under Irish consumer law or replace the rights consumers already have under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
Consumers often contact the trader first when goods are faulty because their contract is generally with the trader who sold the goods. In some circumstances, consumers may also be able to access repair services directly from the manufacturer under the Right to Repair Directive.
Where consumers should go for assistance
Consumers may have rights regarding both the trader and the manufacturer, but those rights arise under different legal frameworks:
- if a product is faulty and does not conform to the sales contract, the consumer may have remedies against the trader under the Consumer Rights Act 2022
- if a product falls within the scope of the Right to Repair Directive, the consumer may also be able to access repair services directly from the manufacturer
- in some cases, both sets of rights may be relevant
As a general guide:
- for issues relating to a faulty product and statutory consumer remedies, consumers should contact the trader
- for access to manufacturer repair services and repairs outside the legal guarantee period, consumers should be able to contact the manufacturer directly or their representative
- instead of the manufacturer, the consumer may also engage with an independent repairer of their choice
Background and wider EU context
The Directive forms part of the European Green Deal and wider EU efforts to promote more sustainable consumption. It follows the New Consumer Agenda and the Circular Economy Action Plan and supports the EU’s ambition to move towards a climate-neutral and circular economy.
The Right to Repair Directive works alongside other EU initiatives, including the Green Claims Directive, the Green Transition Directive and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations.
These measures work together to support more sustainable products and better consumer information. Ecodesign rules help make products more durable and repairable, while the Right to Repair Directive helps ensure repairs are actually available to consumers.
Related links
Spare parts and repairs - Competition and Consumer Protection Commission