Bundestag adopts landmark right to repair law for seven-year spare parts access

The Bundestag on Friday adopted a landmark amendment to the German Civil Code (BGB) enshrining a statutory right to repair, fulfilling a 2023 EU directive aimed at cutting electronic waste. The new § 439a BGB obliges manufacturers to supply spare parts, tools and repair manuals for at least seven years after purchase, making it easier and cheaper for consumers to fix everything from washing machines to smartphones. The law enters into force on 1 January 2027, giving industry six months to prepare.

Environmental and consumer groups welcomed the move. “This is a game-changer,” said Claudia Kemfert, energy expert at the German Institute for Economic Research. “By extending product lifespans we can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 2.5 million tonnes annually.” Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband, Germany’s leading consumer watchdog, called the legislation “a major step forward,” while insisting that enforcement must be strict and penalties for non-compliance severe.

Industry reaction was mixed. The German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) warned that the seven-year obligation could raise costs and stifle innovation, especially for complex devices like smartphones. “We need balanced rules that protect both the environment and Europe’s competitiveness,” said ZVEI president Wolfgang Weber. Apple, which had lobbied against the measure, announced on Friday that it would raise prices for MacBooks and iPads in Germany from July, citing higher memory-chip costs. The company did not link the increase to the new repair law.

France, which pioneered repair cafés and a repairability index in 2021, remains the EU’s front-runner. In Paris alone, more than 200 repair cafés now fix everything from toasters to hairdryers, yet organisers report that many consumers still default to buying new when faced with a broken appliance. “The biggest hurdle is habit,” said Claire Nouvian of the French repair network HOP. “We have to change the culture.”

Political observers see the German law as a template for the rest of the EU. The European Commission is expected to propose a bloc-wide enforcement mechanism by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, consumer advocates are already pushing for broader measures, including mandatory software updates for older devices and a right to repair for vehicles. “This is only the beginning,” said Kemfert.