Imagine owning a smartphone or laptop that breaks, only to discover you can’t fix it yourself—or even choose where to repair it. For years, manufacturers have limited access to tools, parts, and manuals, making repairs difficult or outrageously expensive. This has led to frustration, e-waste, and unnecessary spending by consumers worldwide. But now, Right to Repair laws are changing the game in the United States and the European Union. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what these new rules mean for you.
What Is the Right to Repair?
At its core, the Right to Repair movement stands for consumer empowerment: the freedom to fix your own products or have them repaired by a service provider of your choice, without unreasonable hurdles from manufacturers. This includes access to genuine replacement parts, repair manuals, software tools, and information needed to bring products back to life.
The movement is about more than convenience—it promotes sustainability, cuts down on electronic waste, and fosters competition, which leads to better prices and services for everyone.
Why Are Right to Repair Laws Needed?
For years, many manufacturers restricted repairs through proprietary tools or software, locked-down spare parts, or contracts prohibiting independent work. Consumers often found themselves forced to use expensive, authorized repair centers or, worse, buy entirely new products. This practice not only drained wallets but also filled landfills with perfectly repairable devices.
Growing awareness about e-waste’s environmental impact, combined with mounting consumer frustration, prompted lawmakers to take action. The result? A wave of legislative change, especially in the U.S. and EU, designed to ensure that repairing—rather than replacing—becomes the new normal.
The Right to Repair in the United States
Recent Developments and Key States
The Right to Repair movement has gained momentum rapidly in the U.S., with significant victories across several states. As of mid-2025:
- Six states—including California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine, New York, and Oregon—have enacted comprehensive right-to-repair laws that protect consumers’ ability to repair or modify their products, especially for electronics and appliances.
- All 50 states have seen bills introduced, with more than 20 legislatures currently debating new proposals. The scope varies widely: some states focus on consumer electronics, while others target automobiles and agricultural equipment.
What Do These Laws Cover?
U.S. right-to-repair laws generally require manufacturers to provide:
- Access to repair tools, parts, and manuals to both consumers and independent repair shops.
- Fair and reasonable pricing for these resources.
- Protections against warranty voiding or retaliation for independent repairs.
Some states, such as California, have specific timelines: for products over $100, manufacturers must offer repair material for up to seven years after release; for $50–99.99 products, it’s at least three years.
Federal Legislation: The REPAIR Act
At the national level, the REPAIR Act (recently reintroduced in Congress in 2025) aims to:
- Guarantee vehicle owners access to critical repair data, software, and tools.
- Prevent automakers from monopolizing repair services and information.
- Ensure cybersecurity and safety, so access to data doesn’t compromise your vehicle or privacy.
- Protect consumer choice, enabling independent garages to compete.
This act addresses increasing automation in vehicles—like advanced driver assistance systems—making independent access to technical resources more crucial than ever.
Key Features of 2025 U.S. Laws
The latest wave of laws in 2025 strengthens key rights:
- Full access to board-level schematics and detailed parts lists, not just limited repair information.
- Elimination of “parts pairing” restrictions—meaning that both parts and full assemblies can be swapped by anyone, not just the manufacturer.
- Broad coverage for devices sold since 2015 (in some states), ensuring even older products benefit from these rules.
- Explicit clarifications around software access, so required firmware and diagnostics are included.
Real-World Impact
Independent repair shops and community initiatives like Fixit Clinics and Repair Cafes are thriving, giving consumers skills and support to keep gadgets in use for longer. The result? Lower costs, reduced e-waste, and stronger local economies.
The Right to Repair in the European Union
New EU Directive in 2025
The EU has recently passed groundbreaking Right to Repair legislation, set to take full effect in July 2026. This directive seeks to:
- Make repair easier and more affordable for a wide range of goods—including appliances, smartphones, tablets, and more.
- Give consumers extended legal guarantees: if you choose repair under warranty, your guarantee is pushed forward by an extra 12 months.
- Ensure manufacturers continue to repair goods even after warranties expire, within reasonable pricing and timeframes.
What Products Are Covered?
The directive applies to products with established repairability criteria, such as:
- Washing machines, refrigerators, and other household appliances
- Smartphones, tablets, and devices with batteries for light vehicles
- Additional categories may be added as the law evolves.
Key Provisions and Consumer Benefits
Obligation to Repair
Manufacturers must offer to repair products either free of charge (during warranty) or at reasonable cost afterward. Even after legal guarantees end, they can’t refuse technically feasible repairs.
Access to Spare Parts & Information
Manufacturers must provide spare parts, repair tools, and information at fair prices. They cannot block the use of third-party or 3D-printed spare parts, nor deny repairs simply because someone else worked on the device before.
Incentives for Choosing Repair
Consumers opting for repair over replacement get an automatic extension of their legal guarantee. EU countries are also required to introduce measures such as repair vouchers, public information campaigns, and funding to make repairs more affordable.
Online Repair Platforms
Starting in 2027, a European repair platform will help consumers find local repair services and refurbished goods in their own country—making it easier to compare offers and choose the best repair solution.
Goal: More Sustainable Choices
At the heart of the EU’s directive is a desire to foster a truly circular economy, where products live longer and waste is minimized. This supports the bloc’s sustainability commitments while saving consumers money.
Key Differences: U.S. vs. EU Approaches
| Aspect | United States | European Union |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | State-specific, plus ongoing federal proposals | Union-wide directive, harmonized rules |
| Products Included | Electronics, vehicles, agriculture (varies by state) | Household appliances, phones, e-bikes, more |
| Guarantee Extension | Varies; not always included | Yes, minimum 12 months when repair is chosen |
| Access Requirements | Repair tools, parts, manuals mandated; timelines differ | Mandatory access to parts, information, repairers |
| Anti-Retaliation | No warranty voiding for third-party repairs | Repairs cannot be denied due to previous work |
| Repair Platform | None nationally; some regional initiatives | EU-wide online repair platform (from 2027) |
| Implementation | Effective dates vary by state; some devices retroactive | All new rules apply from July 2026 onwards |
Why This Matters: Future-Proofing Consumer Rights
These new laws aren’t just about fixing phones—they set a precedent for all electronics, appliances, vehicles, and potentially even medical devices in the future. By pushing back against planned obsolescence and monopolistic practices, Right to Repair gives consumers:
- More choice: Pick your repairer or DIY with tech manuals and quality parts.
- Lower costs: Avoid expensive manufacturer-only repairs.
- Less e-waste: Repairing is greener than replacing.
- Longer-lasting products: Get full value from your devices and appliances.
Manufacturers, on the other hand, must adapt—by improving transparency, making products more repairable, and even creating new business models around repair services and refurbished goods.
Conclusion
Right to Repair laws are revolutionizing the way we own, use, and maintain our everyday technology. Both the U.S. and EU are taking historic steps to ensure you—not just the manufacturer—control what happens when something breaks.
As these reforms are implemented across more states and countries, expect repairs to become easier, cheaper, and greener. The bottom line? You’ll have more freedom, your wallet stays fuller, and our planet benefits from less waste.
Don’t let your devices—or your rights—go to waste! Stay informed about local Right to Repair laws and choose repair whenever possible to help build a more sustainable and empowered future.
