The German Federal Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of SPD politician Stefanie Hubig, is accelerating the transposition of the EU’s “Right to Repair” directive into national law, aiming for completion by the end of July. The draft legislation, detailed in the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” proposes legally binding obligations for manufacturers, compelling them to provide repairs at reasonable prices and maintain adequate spare parts inventories across a range of electronic devices, from smartphones to washing machines and refrigerators.
The bill dictates extended obligations based on product type; washing machines and dryers must have parts available for roughly a decade post-production, while smartphones require a minimum of seven years. The core ambition extends beyond simple repair access, intending to fundamentally reshape product design, incentivizing durability and repairability while discouraging planned obsolescence. Critically, the proposed regulations forbid software that actively hinders repair attempts and guarantees compatibility with non-original replacement parts, challenging the established dominance of manufacturer-controlled repair ecosystems.
The ramifications of this legislative push are significant. Consumers would gain a right to repair devices even years beyond the standard warranty period, with guaranteed access to replacement parts. Furthermore, a device deemed irreparable could be legally classified as defective, potentially triggering consumer rights such as a replacement delivery, particularly in the case of smartphones. The legislation also proposes an extension of warranty rights when repair is chosen over replacement.
While touted as a necessary shift towards a circular economy, the initiative is not without its critics. Concerns have been raised regarding potential bureaucratic burdens for businesses, a response which Hubig dismissed, asserting the directive will be implemented “1:1” within German law. She maintained that repair prioritizes environmental responsibility and consumer savings, arguing, “The throwaway society has no future.
The draft is currently undergoing internal government review, with a public consultation period open until February 13th, allowing stakeholders to voice their concerns and provide feedback. Government officials express confidence that the Bundestag will approve the legislation within the first half of 2026, ensuring its effective implementation by the stipulated deadline, July 31, 2026. The debate surrounding this legislation reveals a widening political tension between environmental imperatives and potential economic impacts, posing a test for the government’s commitment to systemic change within the consumer electronics industry.