Instead of buying a new smartphone: Germany mandates manufacturer repairs
A new regulation in Germany grants consumers the right to demand repairs for electronic devices even after the original warranty expires. Manufacturers are now required to provide repair instructions and spare parts, in some cases for up to a decade after production ends.
This regulation is a utopian dream for the end consumer. It allows users to save money, avoid purchasing expensive new products, and personally contribute to the fight against the climate crisis by recycling "old" devices (typically around two years old) instead of discarding them. While the German economy has faced criticism for being stuck in the past, it has now found a creative solution: if it cannot always lead in the production of complex smartphones and smartwatches, it can lead in repairing them and returning them to the market.
Starting August 1st, with the goal of extending product lifespans and preventing electronic waste, buyers can demand repairs for various electronic devices, including smartwatches, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners, even beyond the standard warranty period. The obligation to repair falls primarily on the manufacturer, who is required to make repair instructions and spare parts accessible for up to seven years after a model is discontinued (for smartphones) and up to ten years (for appliances).
If a manufacturer operates outside the country of purchase, its local representative is obligated to attempt the repair. If the manufacturer cannot repair the product within two years of purchase, it must replace it. If the buyer opts for repair, the product warranty is extended by one year. Even after the warranty expires, the manufacturer or its representative remains responsible for repairs (if feasible) for a period likely ranging from five to ten years. While the buyer pays for the repair, regulations aim to ensure fair pricing. Manufacturers are prohibited from including clauses in sales contracts that waive their repair responsibilities.
How the process works
An online platform will provide basic information, including pricing and drop-off locations. Upon arrival, customers fill out a short questionnaire on a tablet and receive an initial quote. If they agree, they pack the item in recyclable packaging and send it to the manufacturer. After the device arrives, the consumer receives a final estimate. A 35-euro service fee is mandatory. According to the "Kavitz" branch in Munich, the first to pilot this registration and shipping process, an average repair is expected to cost 120 euros.
This regulation is designed to shift consumer behavior. In Germany, only one in three broken mobile devices currently reaches a repair shop, with an average repair cost of 111 euros. By capping prices and extending warranties, the government aims to alleviate fears that repairs will be ineffective or overpriced, which are currently major reasons why consumers prefer buying new devices.
Repair culture and subsidies
Studies show that most consumers are willing to pay 20-30 percent of a product's original value for repairs. German consumers expect smartphones or tablets to last about five years, and appliances like washing machines to last over 11 years. To foster a "repair culture," authorities plan to offer financial bonuses and lower VAT on repair services and spare parts.
Similar models are already active in some German states. In Saxony, the Development Bank of Saxony subsidizes part of the repair cost if performed by a registered company. These subsidies, totaling 2.2 million euros, have already benefited 14,400 households. France utilizes a different system where manufacturers contribute to a special fund that compensates consumers for repairs, a model that effectively pressures manufacturers to produce more durable goods.
