From July 31, 2026, online retailers in the EU must implement the Right to Repair directive. The new regulation brings not only information obligations but also real opportunities: With a professional repair portal, you can strengthen customer loyalty and stand out from the competition.
What is the Right to Repair?
EU Directive 2024/1799 aims to extend product lifespans and reduce electronic waste. Manufacturers and retailers are obligated to enable repairs and provide transparent information about product repairability.
Less e-waste, longer product lifespans, strengthened consumer rights, and a sustainable single market.
For consumers, this means: if they choose repair over replacement for a defect, the seller’s liability period is extended once by twelve months – two years thus become a total of 3 years (EUR-Lex).
Which Products Are Affected?
The directive initially covers certain product categories that already have eco-design requirements:
- Smartphones and Tablets – incl. repair score on the energy label (applies from 20 June 2025, EUR-Lex)
- Washing Machines and Dryers – spare parts for at least 10 years after the last unit of a model was placed on the market (EUR-Lex)
- Refrigerators and Dishwashers – spare parts without special tools
- TVs and Displays – repair manuals for technicians
- Vacuum Cleaners – battery and motor replacement possible
- Welding Equipment and Pressure Washers – professional repair
The EU plans to add more product categories. Retailers should monitor developments.
New Obligations for Online Shops
While many obligations primarily target manufacturers, online retailers are responsible for correctly passing on this information. It must be prominently displayed on product pages.
Repairability
Indicate how repairable the product is (Score A-E)
Lifespan
Expected product lifespan under normal use
Spare Parts
Availability and delivery time for spare parts
Repair Options
Reference to manufacturer services and independent workshops
Manuals
Access to repair manuals for technicians
Warranty
Info about extended warranty when choosing repair
The Repair Score: A to E
Since 20 June 2025, smartphones and tablets must carry an EU energy label with repair score (EUR-Lex). The scale ranges from A (very repairable) to E (hardly or not repairable). For online shops, this means: The score must be displayed on product pages.
| Score | Meaning | Typical characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| A | Very repairable, easy battery swap | Housing opens without tools |
| B | Well repairable, tools needed | Standard tools, documented steps |
| C | Limited repairability | Individual parts only replaceable as an assembly |
| D | Difficult to repair | Special tools and a specialist required |
| E | Hardly/not repairable | Glued parts, no access to spare parts |
Repair Portal: The Opportunity for Retailers
The new obligations are also an opportunity for differentiation. With a professional repair portal, you can build customer loyalty, generate additional revenue, and position yourself as a sustainable provider.
An in-house repair service keeps the customer relationship alive beyond the purchase. A self-service portal also reduces support inquiries.
Features of a Repair Portal
- Online Repair Request – customers report defects with photos/videos
- Automatic Diagnosis – fault trees for pre-qualification
- Cost Estimate – transparent real-time price calculation
- Spare Parts Shop – direct sale of original spare parts
- Status Tracking – live tracking of the repair
- Repair History – documentation of all service processes
This is what your repair and spare parts section could look like:
Schreibgeräte-Manufaktur
Technical Implementation: How We Integrate Your Portal
A repair portal must integrate seamlessly into your existing system landscape. We have experience with all common shop systems and ERP solutions.
Shop Integration
For Shopware shops, we develop a custom plugin that integrates seamlessly into the frontend. We also offer solutions for WooCommerce and Magento.
ERP Integration
Integration with SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or JTL-Wawi for automated workflows
RMA System
Connection to easyRMA, RepairCMS or custom development for professional returns management
Shipping Providers
Automatic label creation for DHL, DPD, UPS – customer prints and sends
Communication
Automatic emails on status changes, SMS notification optional
Spare Parts Management
An integrated spare parts shop is a real revenue driver. Customers can perform simple repairs themselves and order the matching parts directly from you.
- Product Mapping – spare parts automatically displayed with main product
- Availability Check – real-time sync with warehouse and suppliers
- Compatibility Check – only matching parts are shown
- Instructions – PDF downloads or video tutorials for self-repair
EmpCo Directive: Additional Obligations from September 2026
In addition to the Right to Repair, member states apply the national measures transposing the EmpCo Directive (EU) 2024/825 from 27 September 2026 (EUR-Lex). It tightens rules for environmental advertising and demands even more transparency.
Statements like "climate neutral", "environmentally friendly" or "sustainable" without proof will be prohibited. More in our article on Greenwashing.
Timeline: What You Should Do Now
- Now (Q1 2026): Check product data – do you have all repair info from manufacturers?
- Q2 2026: Adapt product pages – integrate repair score, spare parts, manuals
- By 31.07.2026: Fully implement information obligations
- Optional: Plan and implement repair portal for competitive advantage
Frequently Asked Questions About Right to Repair
Initially only certain categories like smartphones, household appliances and electronics. However, the EU plans to expand to more product groups.
No, the repair obligation lies with the manufacturer. However, retailers must provide information about repairability and point to repair options.
Missing or incorrect information can lead to warnings from competitors or consumer protection associations. Official fines are also possible.
The Ecodesign Regulation sets this per product category. For household washing machines and washer-dryers it is at least ten years after the last unit of a model was placed on the market, for smartphones and tablets at least seven years after they stopped being placed on the market (EUR-Lex).
For retailers with electronics or tech products, usually yes. Besides customer loyalty, spare parts and repair services generate additional revenue.
A basic portal with request and status tracking is feasible in 4-6 weeks. With ERP integration and spare parts shop, we typically plan 8-12 weeks.
Both Obligation and Opportunity
The Right to Repair is more than just another regulation – it's a paradigm shift toward sustainable consumption. For online retailers, this means short-term adaptation effort, but long-term opportunities for stronger customer loyalty and new revenue streams.
We analyze your current situation and develop a roadmap for implementation – from compliance to a full-fledged repair portal.
Whether simple information obligations on your product pages or a complete repair portal with ERP integration – we support you every step of the way.
This article draws on Directives (EU) 2024/1799 and (EU) 2024/825 and on Regulations (EU) 2019/2023, (EU) 2023/1669 and (EU) 2023/1670 (EUR-Lex). As of January 2026.