Brussels opens consultation on repairing home appliances

The European Commission has opened a public consultation and call for evidence on ecodesign requirements for repairability, which will remain open until 9 February 2027 (midnight, Brussels time) and could affect small appliances, consumer electronics and light means of transport such as e-bikes and electric scooters. It was launched during the first week of November 2026.

The responses will inform the impact assessment for a possible delegated act under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Its adoption is currently planned for 2027. The aim is to make a wide range of products on the EU market easier to repair, extend their lifespan, reduce waste and support the transition to a more circular economy.

According to the Commission, for citizens this could mean longer-lasting products, lower repair costs and more options when fixing everyday items. The consultation asks for views on the current repair challenges faced by consumers and repairers, and on possible measures to improve repair.

Which products could be covered

The products expected to be covered by horizontal repair requirements, subject to confirmation in the impact assessment, are based on the preliminary results of the preparatory study. The Commission proposes setting the rules for whole product families at once, rather than product by product.

Three families are being considered: consumer electronics, such as certain audio and video equipment, wearables and peripherals; small appliances, including kitchen and personal care devices; and light means of transport, such as certain e-bikes and some electric scooters, as well as certain self-balancing devices.

Products that already have specific rules, voluntary agreements or other regulatory frameworks of their own would be excluded, to avoid overlap with existing legislation. This is the case, for example, for smartphones and tablets.

Measures under consideration

Among the options on the table are access to spare parts and the availability of repair and maintenance information. Software and firmware requirements, easier disassembly and reassembly, and repair scores or point-of-sale information are also being examined.

The measures considered also include minimum periods for software updates and the removal of software that blocks repairs. These ideas have already been tested in a preparatory study by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC).

The Commission argues that many products are replaced before the end of their useful life because repair is not possible, is hard to access or is too expensive. It adds that national schemes such as the repair scores in France and Belgium reach only a small part of the single market.

Who can take part and how

The consultation is open to everyone. The Commission expressly invites citizens, businesses, public authorities, repair professionals, consumer organisations and environmental stakeholders.

The consultation is initially available in English, with translations into all official EU languages to be announced shortly. Contributions can be submitted in any official language of the EU.

Timeline to the delegated act

After the consultation, a draft act is expected, which will be put forward for further feedback. The Commission expects to adopt the rules in 2027. There is no obligation for companies yet, and the final scope and the detail of the requirements may change before a measure is adopted.

Background: the ESPR and the right to repair

The ESPR is Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 and entered into force on 18 July 2024. It applies to almost any physical good placed on the EU market and allows requirements to be set on durability, repairability, recycled content and carbon footprint. Detailed obligations are set over time in delegated acts, with at least 18 months for companies to comply, and extend to importers, distributors and online sellers.

The Commission’s 2025-2030 work plan identified a horizontal repairability measure covering products such as consumer electronics and small appliances. The initiative is also part of the support for the Clean Industrial Deal’s circularity objectives.

It is a separate route from Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on the right to repair, which Member States had to adopt by 31 July 2026. Its obligations currently apply to products with EU repairability requirements, such as washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, electronic displays, vacuum cleaners, mobile phones, cordless phones, tablets and tumble dryers. Repair must be free of charge or at a reasonable price and within a reasonable time.

Within the warranty period, if the consumer opts for repair, the liability period is extended once by a further 12 months. Manufacturers may not prevent independent repairers from using original, second-hand, compatible or 3D-printed parts, nor refuse to repair solely because someone else has carried out a previous repair.

The debate over a cap on parts prices

At a stakeholder meeting held in April, one proposal suggested that the most expensive spare part should not cost more than 30% of the product’s price. Member States said the cap would be unworkable for some products and hard to enforce, while NGOs supported it.