Repair and Beyond: How EU policy is reshaping the appliance lifecycle

At this year’s AMDEA Conference in London, the conversation focused on the role of repair in building a more circular future for household appliances. With repair and consumer organisations joining the panel, the discussion brought into sharp focus the EU legislative landscape shaping sustainability in the sector. Representing APPLiA, Senior Environment Policy Director Korrina Hegarty outlined how the industry is responding to new requirements while continuing to deliver on durability, safety and performance.

The home appliance sector has long been committed to improving the environmental performance of products, with significant progress made on energy and water efficiency, recyclability, and the use of recycled materials. But the scope of sustainability is evolving. Today, it’s about designing appliances for the entire lifecycle — making them more durable, repairable, and easier to reintegrate into a circular system.

This shift is being driven by major legislative developments at EU level.  Under Ecodesign the new rules, manufacturers need to provide spare parts and repair information for up to ten years — a clear signal that repair is becoming a core design principle. Further revision to  the Ecodesign framework introduces many more new requirements on material and resource efficiency, placing greater emphasis on repairability, longevity and recyclability.

Complementing this is the upcoming Right to Repair legislation, set to apply from July 2026. The proposal will require manufacturers to offer repair options even once the legal guarantee has expired, ensuring consumers can access necessary parts and repair information at fair prices. During the discussion, Hegarty underlined the importance of ensuring that safety remains a priority. While some maintenance tasks may be carried out by consumers, more complex repairs require trained professionals. Clear distinctions and safeguards are needed to protect users while enabling meaningful repair.

But making repair work in practice also means taking into account both economic and technical realities. As Hegarty pointed out, requirements such as the availability of spare parts must be proportionate and feasible, reflecting the diversity of product categories across the sector. At the same time, the trade-offs between different sustainability objectives, from energy efficiency to durability and repairability — need to be clearly understood. Supporting the circular transition while maintaining competitiveness requires a balanced approach.

The industry is responding through innovation and active engagement. Manufacturers continue to improve product design to make appliances more efficient, longer-lasting, and easier to repair and recycle.

The discussion concluded with a clear message: delivering on repair and sustainability will require strong cooperation across the value chain — from producers and policymakers to retailers, repairers, and consumers. That collaboration is key to building a truly circular appliance sector in Europe.