Overview
- The Consumer Protection Ministry’s draft would require manufacturers to provide repairs at a reasonable price during a product’s normal lifespan and to keep spare parts available.
- Minimum periods include around 10 years for washing machines and dryers and at least seven years after production ends for smartphones.
- The proposal would prohibit software that hinders repairs and allow independent shops to use non‑original parts.
- Goods that cannot be repaired would be classified as defective, potentially entitling consumers to replacements, and warranty rights would be extended when repair is chosen over replacement.
- States, industry groups and other stakeholders can submit feedback until 13 February before government clearance and a projected Bundestag vote in the first half of 2026, with enactment targeted by 31 July 2026.