New Right to Repair Criticized for High Costs and Lack of Enforcement

Berlin – July 22, 2026. The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) considers the new law promoting the repair of electrical appliances, effective July 23, to be an important first step. However, the DUH finds the legislation insufficiently designed in several key areas.

The DUH specifically criticizes the lack of consistent measures to reduce repair costs. High expenses are the biggest hurdle for consumers looking to repair their electrical devices, with a broken washing machine quickly becoming a financial challenge, particularly for low-income households. The organization advocates for a repair bonus, financed by manufacturers, and for limitations on spare part prices.

Furthermore, the DUH points out that the law fails to designate a competent authority for overseeing implementation and imposes no sanctions for violations. The organization calls for the immediate introduction of accompanying sanction regulations and a supervisory body responsible for enforcing the law and imposing fines on companies that disregard their repair obligations.

The new law, passed by the Bundestag on June 25, 2026, aims to improve repair conditions for certain electrical appliances, including washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, smartphones, and televisions. It also prohibits technical barriers to repair, such as software locks.