Right to Repair: what is the impact on product development

From 31 July 2026, the European Union will apply uniform rules on the Right to Repair. The Directive Directive EU 2024 1799 makes repairing defective goods easier, cheaper and more attractive for consumers. For manufacturers, this represents a fundamental shift in product development.

Repairability will become a legally required product attribute. At PEZY, with over thirty years of experience in innovative product development, circularity and industrialisation, we do not view this as an administrative burden. We see it as a strategic opportunity to create sustainable and future-proof products.

We would like to give you insight into the background, the concrete consequences for product development and the practical points of attention. It shows how PEZY guides this transition from concept phase to mass production. This way products comply with the legislation, retain their value and contribute to a circular economy.

1. What exactly is the Right to Repair?

The Right to Repair gives consumers the legal right to have a defective product repaired rather than replaced. This can be done by themselves, an independent repairer or the manufacturer. Three pillars are central:

1. Access to spare parts at reasonable prices for a minimum period of seven to ten years after the last unit is placed on the market.

2. The availability of technical information, tools, diagnostic software and manuals without unnecessary barriers.

3. The ban on artificial obstacles such as parts pairing where a new part only works after manufacturer approval, bonding of components or proprietary screws.

The Directive applies to a wide range of consumer goods including washing machines, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, smartphones, laptops and other electronics.

Repairs must also be possible and affordable after the statutory warranty period. When a repair is carried out instead of a replacement, the warranty is extended by at least twelve months. In addition, there will be a European repair information form and, from 2027, an EU-wide online Repair Platform where consumers can find independent repairers.

In the Netherlands implementation is well underway. The bill is being considered by the House of Representatives and the Senate and is expected to come into force during 2026. The Directive follows a full harmonisation approach. This means that Member States may not introduce stricter or looser rules unless explicitly permitted.

2. Legislative context and timeline

The Directive was adopted on 13 June 2024 and entered into force on 30 July 2024. Member States must transpose it into national law by 31 July 2026 at the latest. In the Netherlands and most other Member States the transposition was not completed as of March 2026 but the deadline is approaching fast. It is important that the obligations apply to all in-scope products, including those sold before 31 July 2026. This creates urgency for existing product portfolios.

The Directive is part of the broader European Green Deal and circular economy strategy. It builds on earlier initiatives such as the Ecodesign regulations which already impose repair requirements for specific product groups and national experiments such as the French Réparabilité index.

3. Consequences for manufacturers and product development

The impact goes beyond compliance. Repairability becomes a newly legally required product feature. This affects design, cost structure, supply chain and business model.

The positive effects are clearly visible. Products that are easy to repair remain in use longer. This strengthens brand loyalty and opens new revenue streams through repair, upgrade and refurbished services. The circular economy gains ground with less e-waste, lower consumption of critical raw materials and a smaller CO2 footprint. Companies that proactively design for repairability score higher on sustainability reports and find it easier to comply with future requirements such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Challenges and risks deserve serious attention. Early integration of modularity and disassembly often requires additional investment in research, product development and tooling. Those who postpone that step risk later facing costly redesigns, delays or fines. At the same time, broader access to firmware and parts brings new risks, such as counterfeiting, unsafe repairs and quality degradation.

For manufacturers the challenge therefore lies in striking the right balance between transparency and protecting intellectual property. There are also economic considerations. Some studies point to possible price increases or a shift towards cheaper, less durable products. An earlier analysis by the University of California showed in certain markets an unfavourable scenario, with lower margins, less benefit for consumers and more waste due to an increase in cheap replacements. In addition, the supply chain becomes more complex. Maintaining a parts inventory for seven to ten years requires sharper forecasting and stronger, strategic partnerships with suppliers.

In short, those who treat repairability as an afterthought will pay later. Those who integrate it from the concept phase transform an obligation into a strategic advantage.

Request the free book now: Developing Recyclable Electronic Devices

This handbook provides concrete guidance for product developers and engineers in consumer electronics who want to design with recycled plastics and develop products that are actually suitable for high-quality recycling.

Request it now!

4. Design for Repairability: the core principles in product development

More than eighty percent of environmental impacts and repairability are determined in the design phase. PEZY applies a holistic framework Repair Oriented Design that combines technical, user-friendly and circular aspects. In this framework we address the following key principles:

Durability and robustness form the foundation.
Choose materials and constructions that resist physical wear and perceived obsolescence. Conduct extensive lifetime and stress tests. A product that seldom breaks needs fewer repairs.

Easy disassembly increases usability.
Use standard screw connections instead of glue, clips or special tools. Ensure that critical components such as battery, display, sensors and printed circuit board can be removed without damage or a special toolset. Simulate disassembly in CAD and virtual twins to eliminate bottlenecks early.

Modularity and upgradeability make the difference.
Design with replaceable modules. This not only makes repair faster and cheaper but also enables future upgrades. A modular electronics architecture in which software and hardware evolve independently is a strong example.

Diagnostics and documentation lower the barrier.
Integrate built-in diagnostic tools and QR codes to detailed public manuals. Provide complete repair instructions, parts lists and exploded views. This reduces the barrier for both consumers and independent repairers.

Safety, circularity and design for recycling close the loop.
Account for safe disassembly of hazardous components such as batteries and chemicals. Use recycled materials and design so the product is easy to recycle at the end of its life cycle.

A practical checklist for product developers includes concrete questions.
Is disassembly possible within five to ten minutes per module? Are parts numbered and labelled? Does the software comply with open standards without locks? Is a repair score such as the French index integrated into marketing?

PEZY integrates these principles into an integrated development process. From strategy and concept through engineering and prototyping to industrialisation in our own PEZY Pilot Factory we test repairability under realistic conditions. This way we validate compliance and optimise for serial production.

5. PEZY’s approach: from legislation to competitive advantage

At PEZY, circularity and repairability are not standalone pillars but a common thread throughout the entire development process. We combine design thinking, material knowledge, engineering expertise and manufacturing capacity under one roof. Customers in healthtech, consumer electronics and industrial devices benefit from this. Products not only comply with the Directive but are also emotionally durable and have a positive impact on both environment and business.

Our experience shows that early integration of design for repairability shortens time to market and minimises risks. We assist with spare-part strategies, cost optimisation and preparation for the EU Repair Platform. The result is future-proof products that retain value for longer.

Ready for 2026 and beyond?

The 31 July 2026 deadline is closer than it seems. Manufacturers who now invest in repair-friendly product development not only avoid compliance risks but build a stronger, more sustainable market position.

At PEZY we are ready to make your product portfolio future-proof. Whether it concerns a new concept, a redesign of existing products or a complete circularity strategy, we bring the expertise and facilities required.