European Union (Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
Introduction
The European Union (Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 entered into Irish law on 31 July 2026.
These Regulations transpose into Irish law Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods. The Directive forms part of the EU's Right to Repair framework and introduces measures to make repair a more attractive and accessible option for consumers.
The Regulations support the transition to a circular economy by extending the lifespan of goods, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable consumption. They introduce new obligations for manufacturers, repairers and other businesses involved in the supply, repair and maintenance of consumer goods.
This guidance explains the main obligations introduced by the Regulations and what they mean for businesses.
Overview
The Regulations include the following important measures.
- A new obligation on manufacturers to repair certain categories of goods on request from consumers
- New requirements to provide consumers with information about repair services
- The introduction of a standardised European Repair Information Form (ERIF)
- The establishment of a European online repair platform and associated national repair platforms
- Amendments to existing consumer rights legislation to strengthen repair as a consumer remedy
- New enforcement powers for non-compliance
This means:
- Manufacturers of certain goods can be legally required to repair the good where a consumer is not entitled to the remedy of repair from the trader under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
- Repairers may provide consumers with a standard European Repair Information Form.
- Manufacturers, or where relevant, their authorised representative, importer or distributor, must ensure that required repair information is made available to consumers clearly and free of charge.
- Traders should review existing repair processes, customer information and contractual terms to ensure compliance.
Manufacturer's obligation to repair certain goods
What goods are covered?
The Regulations introduce a legal obligation on manufacturers to repair certain categories of goods that are already subject to EU rules requiring goods to be repairable.
Examples include, but are not limited to, the following goods for consumer use:
- Washing machines
- Washer-dryers
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Dishwashers
- Televisions
- Vacuum cleaners
- Tumble dryers
- Smartphones, cordless phones and tablets
- Welding equipment
- Servers and data storage goods
- Goods incorporating light means of transport batteries
- Domestic local space heaters
The list may evolve as additional goods-specific repairability requirements are introduced at EU level.
What does the obligation mean?
Where a consumer requests a repair of a covered good, the manufacturer must:
- Provide repair services where repair is technically possible
- Provide repair services within a reasonable period
- Make spare parts and repair tools available at reasonable prices and
- Ensure repair can be carried out without imposing unreasonable conditions.
Use of third-party repairers
Manufacturers may subcontract repair services to independent repairers or repair service providers. However, responsibility for complying with the legal obligation remains with the manufacturer.
When can repair be refused?
A manufacturer is not required to repair a good where repair is impossible. For example:
- The good may be damaged beyond repair
- Repair may be technically infeasible.
A manufacturer cannot refuse to repair a good solely because it was previously repaired by another repairer.
Information requirements regarding repair services
Manufacturers, or where relevant, authorised representatives, importers and distributors, must make information about repair services available to consumers.
This information must be:
- Free of charge
- Clear and understandable
- Easily accessible
- Available throughout the period during which the repair obligation applies.
The information should include:
- The goods covered by the repair obligation
- Details of available repair services
- Explanation of how repairs can be requested
- Information on whether repair services are provided directly or through subcontracted repairers.
Manufacturers can provide this information:
- On their website
- Through a Digital Product Passport (where available)
- At point of sale (where the manufacturer is selling directly to a consumer)
- Through other appropriate communication channels.
Providing repair estimates to consumers
What is the European Repair Information Form?
The Regulations introduce a standard form (European Repair Information Form (ERIF)) to give consumers clear and transparent information about repair services before they enter a repair contract. The form can help consumers compare repair offers from different repairers and make informed decisions.
Information to include on the ERIF
The ERIF should include:
- Name of the repairer
- Address and contact details of the repairer
- Description of the good to be repaired
- Description of the fault identified
- Proposed repair solution
- Repair price or maximum estimated repair cost
- Estimated completion time
- Information about any temporary replacement goods and related costs
- Place where the consumer must hand over the good
- Removal, installation or transportation services and related costs (where applicable)
- Validity period of the ERIF
- Any additional relevant information.
Effect of the ERIF
The validity period of the ERIF must be at least 30 days. The consumer and repairer can agree on a longer validity period.
Once issued, the repairer cannot change the conditions of repair contained in the ERIF during its validity period.
Where the consumer accepts the conditions of repair during the validity period, the repairer must carry out the repair as agreed.
When should the ERIF be provided?
A repairer can choose to offer an ERIF where a consumer requests information about a repair service. If a repairer provides the ERIF, they must do so:
- Free of charge
- Within a reasonable period after the request
- Before the consumer enters a repair contract.
If a repairer does not provide an ERIF, they must use another method to provide information on the cost and other terms of the repair service before a consumer agrees to the work.
Can a repairer charge to diagnose a fault?
Yes, a repairer may charge for providing a diagnostic service, which might include:
- Inspecting the product
- Diagnosing the fault
- Estimating repair costs
- Transporting the product for the diagnosis.
However, before the diagnostic service is carried out, the consumer must:
- Be informed of any charge and the amount
- Agree to the charge.
If the consumer chooses to have the good repaired after the diagnostic service, the repairer should be able to deduct the diagnostic costs from the price of the repair.
European Online Platform for Repair
What is the platform?
The European Commission will establish a European online platform providing information for repair services by 31 July 2027.
The platform will help consumers find:
- Repairers
- Sellers of refurbished goods
- Purchasers of defective goods for refurbishment
- Community repair initiatives.
National repair platform
Ireland will establish a national repair platform, linked to the European platform, by 31 July 2027.
Consumers will be able to use this platform free of charge to:
- Search for repair by product category
- Locate local repair services
- Identify refurbishers
- Access repair information
- Locate community repair initiatives
- Request European Repair Information Forms from participating repairers.
For repairers, sellers of refurbished goods, purchasers of defective goods for refurbishment and community led repair initiatives, registration on the platform will be voluntary.
Updates to the Consumer Rights Act, 2022
The European Union (Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 also amend the Consumer Rights Act, 2022.
Repairability as a product characteristic
The Consumer Rights Act 2022 now includes repairability as a relevant characteristic when assessing whether goods conform to a sales contract.
This means that, for goods bought from 31 July 2026, repairability is a factor when determining if the goods satisfy reasonable expectations and legal requirements.
Repair as a remedy
The Regulations strengthen the availability of repair as a remedy for faulty goods and seek to encourage repair over replacement where appropriate.
Temporary replacement goods
New provisions provide greater flexibility around the loan of temporary replacement goods during repairs by a trader.
In certain circumstances, refurbished replacement goods may also be offered where agreed by the consumer.
Enforcement and penalties
The CCPC may investigate non-compliance and take enforcement action where necessary.
Businesses should be aware that failure to comply with obligations under the Regulations may result in:
- Compliance measures
- Enforcement actions.
Manufacturers should pay particular attention to obligations relating to:
- The duty to repair
- Repair information requirements
- Consumer information obligations and
- The European Repair Information Form.
Final note for businesses
The Right to Repair framework represents a significant change in how repair services are provided and promoted across the EU. The Regulations are intended to encourage repair, extend product lifecycles and improve consumer confidence in repair services.
To be better positioned to comply with the requirements and meet consumer demand, businesses should review:
- Repair policies and procedures
- Customer information materials
- Websites and digital content
- Spare parts arrangements
- Service contracts with repair providers
- Staff training and compliance procedures.
Useful links
- Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods
- European Union (Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods) (No. 2) Regulations 2026
- Single Digital Gateway
- CCPC Consumer Rights Guidance
Glossary
Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods
Directive (EU) 2024/1799 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on common rules promoting the repair of goods and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 and Directives (EU) 2019/771 and (EU) 2020/1828, as amended by Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2026/74 of 12 January 2026
Manufacturer
Any natural or legal person that manufactures a product or has a product designed or manufactured, and markets that product under their name or trademark
Repairability
The capacity of a product to be repaired, taking into account factors such as access to spare parts, repair information and design features
Refurbished good
A good that has undergone preparation, cleaning, testing, servicing and, where necessary, repair, to restore the performance or functionality originally conceived at the design stage when the good was first placed on the market
Legal disclaimer
This guidance reflects the CCPC's understanding of the European Union (Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 as of 31 July 2026.
This document is intended as general guidance only and is not a substitute for the legislation itself. It does not constitute legal advice.
Businesses are responsible for ensuring their own compliance with consumer protection law and should seek independent legal advice where necessary.
