Stop the consumption model “disposable“, reduce the electronic waste and encourage thecircular economy. These are the objectives of the “Right to repair” which comes into force today in Italy. The legislation officially transposes the European Union directive through legislative decree no. 176/2026. The new rules introduce the obligation for manufacturers to repair household appliances and technological devices even out of warranty, putting a definitive stop to the practice of planned obsolescence.
Savings
The impact estimated by European Commission when fully operational, it is very significant both on the economic and environmental front: savings of 12 billion euros per year are expected for European citizens and a net cut of 35 million tonnes of electronic waste, accompanied by a reduction of 261 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
The next step of the reform involves the debut, by 2027, of a single online platform to allow citizens to compare tariffs and repair services in real time.
Going into detail, companies will no longer be able to refuse technical interventions unless objectively impossible, and will have to guarantee the availability of spare parts for a period of between 5 and 10 years after the product leaves the market.
It also collapses repair monopoly: Manufacturers will be prohibited from using software or hardware locks to prevent the use of compatible, used or 3D printed spare parts, and will also be required to provide components and technical instructions to independent repairers at reasonable prices.
The incentives
Furthermore for the consumers are provided with strong incentives. Anyone who chooses repair rather than replacement during the legal warranty period will benefit from an automatic extension of coverage for a further 12 months. Not only that, assistance centers will be required to offer a replacement courtesy device to eliminate inconvenience during waiting times.
In short, less waste, less emissions but also saving money for citizens. The repairability obligation starts immediately for a selected list of key products: smartphones, tablets, washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, displays and vacuum cleaners.