The right to repair is the principle that people and independent repairers should be able to obtain the parts, tools, software and information needed to fix products they own. It does not mean every repair must be free or safe to attempt at home. It means manufacturers should not unnecessarily block repair or reserve it entirely for their own service network.
This matters for phones and laptops, but it also affects appliances, wheelchairs, farm equipment, vehicles and other products. The legal position depends on the product and where you live, and it changed substantially in several places during 2026.
Right to repair at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can I repair something I own? | Usually, but safety rules, software protections and product-specific laws can affect what you can do. |
| Must a manufacturer sell me every part? | No. Access requirements vary by jurisdiction and product category. |
| Does an independent repair automatically void a warranty? | Not automatically in many places, but damage caused by the repair may not be covered. |
| Is right to repair the same worldwide? | No. The EU, UK, US and Australia use different legal frameworks. |
| Does repair always beat replacement? | No. Safety, price, efficiency and the remaining life of the product all matter. |
What does right to repair include?
A useful repair system needs more than permission to remove a screw. Owners and independent technicians may need:
- Replacement parts at a reasonable price
- Repair manuals and schematics that explain diagnosis and disassembly
- Specialised tools used to open, test or calibrate a product
- Diagnostic software and access to error codes
- Software support for pairing or activating a replacement component
- A choice of repairer rather than a single authorised network
Different laws cover different pieces of that list. A rule requiring spare parts for a washing machine, for example, does not necessarily give a phone owner access to proprietary diagnostic software.
Why products can be difficult to repair
Sealed and glued construction
Adhesive, unusual fasteners and tightly integrated components can make a thin device durable or water resistant, but they can also make routine repairs slow and destructive. A battery that is glued beneath several delicate components is technically replaceable yet impractical for many owners.
Parts pairing
Parts pairing links a component’s serial number to the device through software. After a screen, battery or camera is replaced, the product may show a warning, lose a feature or require manufacturer software to complete the repair. Pairing can serve security or calibration purposes, but it can also prevent a genuine working component from being reused.
Unavailable documentation and tools
A skilled technician still needs accurate information. When service manuals, board diagrams, error codes or calibration tools are limited to authorised centres, an independent shop may be unable to finish an otherwise straightforward repair.
Short software support
A physical repair cannot make an unsupported connected product secure forever. Repairability therefore includes software support as well as replaceable hardware. This is one reason that keeping a device for longer involves both maintenance and sensible purchasing. Our guide to extending a laptop’s lifespan covers practical steps that do not require opening the machine.
Right to repair laws in 2026
There is no single worldwide right-to-repair law. The summary below is a starting point, not legal advice.
European Union
EU member states were required to apply the Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods from 31 July 2026. It applies to products that are subject to repairability requirements under EU law, rather than every item a consumer can buy.
For covered products, manufacturers must offer repair within a reasonable time and for a reasonable price. Choosing repair instead of replacement during the legal guarantee period extends the guarantee by at least 12 months. The rules also address access to spare parts and information about repair services. An EU online repair platform is planned for 2028.
United Kingdom
The UK has two related but different systems. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a consumer may be entitled to repair, replacement or another remedy when goods are faulty. Separately, ecodesign rules introduced repair-related requirements for certain energy-related products, including access to some spare parts and technical information for professional repairers.
The UK government says the 2021 measures covered certain products rather than creating an unrestricted consumer right to parts for everything. Its current product-policy guidance also stresses the need to balance repair access with safety. For a faulty purchase, the government’s repair and refund guidance is more relevant than a general repairability campaign.
United States
The US has a patchwork of product-specific federal rules, state laws and enforcement actions. Coverage can depend on the state, the type and age of a product, and when it was first sold. A law covering consumer electronics may exclude medical devices, vehicles, farm equipment or business equipment.
The Federal Trade Commission has challenged repair restrictions as a competition and consumer-protection issue. In July 2026, the FTC and five states announced a proposed settlement with Deere & Company requiring access to repair resources for farm equipment, including software functions used to diagnose faults, pair parts and restart equipment after some shutdowns.
Do not assume that opening a product automatically cancels every warranty right. The FTC explains that a company generally cannot deny warranty coverage merely because someone else performed routine maintenance or repairs. It can, however, refuse to cover damage caused by that work. Check the warranty and your state rules before proceeding.
Australia
Australian Consumer Law gives consumers remedies when products fail consumer guarantees. Depending on whether a failure is major or minor, that can mean a repair, replacement or refund. These rights exist alongside a manufacturer’s warranty.
That is not the same as a universal requirement for manufacturers to provide every consumer with parts, tools and manuals. The ACCC repair, replace and refund problem solver is the best starting point for a faulty purchase. Product-specific rules and industry arrangements may also apply.
Does repairing a product void its warranty?
A sticker saying “warranty void if removed” is not a complete explanation of your legal rights. The correct answer depends on your country, the warranty terms, what failed and whether your repair caused additional damage.
- Photograph the fault and the product before doing anything.
- Check whether the seller must provide a remedy under consumer law.
- Read the written warranty and identify exclusions.
- Ask whether an authorised repair is free or reasonably priced.
- If using an independent shop, ask about experience, parts quality and its repair guarantee.
A DIY attempt on a swollen battery, microwave, high-voltage power supply or safety-critical equipment is not a good way to test a legal principle. Use an appropriately qualified repairer when a failure could cause fire, electric shock, injury or data loss.
How to check your repair options
- Identify the exact model and purchase date. Laws and support programmes can depend on when a product entered the market.
- Check for a recall. A safety recall may provide a free remedy and change what you should do.
- Use the seller’s consumer-law process. Do this before paying for work when the fault may be covered.
- Compare the manufacturer and independent options. Ask for written prices, turnaround times and warranty terms.
- Back up your data. A repair can involve resets or replacement storage.
- Verify parts availability. Ask whether the part is new, refurbished, reclaimed or third-party.
- Consider the whole product. Repair makes less sense if another essential component is near the end of its life.
When repair is the more sustainable choice
Repair can avoid the materials, manufacturing and transport required for a replacement. It can also keep a useful product out of the waste stream. The benefit is often strongest when the existing product is relatively young, manufacturing accounts for a large share of its impact, and the repair meaningfully extends its working life.
Replacement may still be reasonable when a product is unsafe, cannot receive security updates, consumes substantially more energy than a modern equivalent, or requires repeated expensive repairs. Sustainable product decisions are rarely as simple as “repair is always good.” Designers must consider durability, modularity, software support and end-of-life pathways together. Those concerns also shape careers in sustainable product design.
How to buy more repairable technology
- Look for published repair manuals before buying.
- Check whether batteries and storage can be replaced.
- Search for parts availability and typical repair prices.
- Prefer long software-support commitments.
- Check independent repairability assessments when available.
- Avoid buying more performance or hardware than you need.
Repairability is part of a wider approach to sustainable computing. Energy use matters, but so do manufacturing, maintenance, reuse and disposal. Our comparison of green IT and climate tech explains where responsible hardware management fits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the right to repair in simple terms?
It is the idea that owners and independent repairers should have fair access to the parts, information, tools and software needed to fix products. Actual legal rights vary by product and location.
Does right to repair mean manufacturers must repair everything for free?
No. A free repair may be required for a covered fault under a guarantee, warranty or consumer law. Right-to-repair rules can instead require reasonable access to paid repairs, parts or information.
Are right-to-repair laws only about electronics?
No. Different measures cover products such as appliances, vehicles, farm equipment and powered wheelchairs. The products covered vary between laws.
Can a manufacturer refuse to cover damage caused by my repair?
Potentially, yes. A right to use an independent repairer does not require a manufacturer to pay for new damage caused by incorrect work. Keep records and use a qualified technician when the repair is complex.
Last substantively reviewed in September 2026. Laws change, and this general guide is not legal advice. Check the relevant regulator or consumer-protection body for your location and product.