From today the right to repair. Obligations for producers, protection for consumers

The "right to repair" comes into force today to give new life to washing machines, vacuum cleaners, mobile phones and other consumer goods that are no longer functional but still repairable. Assoutenti reminds us of this, recalling how Italy has implemented the EU directive 2024/1799 aimed at encouraging the repair of consumer goods, reducing the premature disposal of repairable products and combating the phenomenon of planned obsolescence.

Based on the new rules which have retroactive value and are valid for purchases made starting from 31 July 2026, the obligation for manufacturers to repair, even outside the legal warranty period, a broken or defective but technically repairable good is introduced. There is a European form that the repairer must deliver to the consumer before starting the intervention with all the information on the repair: type of interventions, time needed to complete the work, prices, possible replacement product. The information contained in the form will be valid for 30 days, explains Assoutenti.

According to the directive, the repair must be carried out free of charge or at a reasonable price and within a reasonable period of time and, in cases where the repair is impossible, the manufacturer can offer the consumer a refurbished good. If the manufacturer obliged to repair is established outside the EU, the obligation falls on his authorized representative in the EU or on the importer of the goods. Manufacturers are then obliged to make spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price that does not discourage repair.

If the defective good is still under warranty, in the event of repair this is extended by one year: in fact, the consumer's right to choose between repair and replacement of defective products within the seller's liability period included in the warranty remains unaffected, but if the consumer chooses to repair the good, the seller's liability period will be extended by 12 months from the moment the product is repaired, underlines Assoutenti.

Furthermore, by 31 July 2027, a European online repair platform must be created to allow consumers to find repairers and sellers of refurbished goods. "These are very important innovations that impact consumers, the environment and producers: the disposal of repairable products generates 35 million tons of waste in Europe every year with significant social and environmental costs", comments president Gabriele Melluso.