Right to repair from 31 July 2026: what online retailers must do now

The „right to repair" is now settled: Germany's Bundestag passed the law implementing EU Directive 2024/1799 on 25 June 2026. It applies to purchase contracts concluded from 31 July 2026 – not retroactively. So you still have a few weeks to adjust your processes.

What it's about

The buzzword covers two different things that are worth keeping apart.

The first concerns the statutory warranty (Gewährleistung) – and thus you as the seller directly. If goods are defective, the customer may choose between repair and replacement as part of remedy. What's new is the incentive to repair: if the customer opts for it, the warranty for the repaired item is extended by twelve months.

The second is a manufacturer repair obligation outside the warranty, newly added to the German Civil Code (BGB). For certain product groups – such as smartphones, tablets, washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, e-bikes and e-scooters – manufacturers must repair even after the guarantee has expired, offer this at a reasonable price and provide spare parts.

The point that matters most day to day

For online retailers, one new information duty is especially relevant: in an actual complaint case you must inform the customer before remedy about their choice between repair and replacement and about the twelve-month warranty extension if they choose repair. This must be done clearly and in good time – not buried in the terms and conditions.

There's also a second, quieter effect: repairability becomes a quality criterion. If comparable products are usually repairable and yours is not, that may in future count as a defect. What you sell is therefore judged from this angle too.

What belongs on your to-do list before the end of July

• Adjust the complaints process: build the notice about the choice (repair or replacement) and the warranty extension firmly into your workflow – ideally as standard text that is shown automatically in a defect case.
• Review templates and text blocks: update complaint emails, return forms and service replies accordingly.
• Brief the team: anyone handling customer enquiries should know the choice right and the 3-year consequence on repair, and communicate it correctly.
• Keep an eye on your range: for product groups with a repair obligation, it's worth checking manufacturer details on repairability and spare parts – also as a selling point.

Context

The right to repair is one of a series of new retailer duties in 2026. If you're revising processes anyway, tackle it together with the others: the new EU product liability from December 2026 and product information under GPSR. The effort stays manageable if you do it now rather than just before the deadline.

Note: This article does not constitute legal advice and reflects the status as of 28 June 2026. For your specific case – especially the wording of notices – please seek legal advice.

Sources

• German Bundestag: Bundestag approves the right-to-repair directive
• IT-Recht-Kanzlei: Right to repair in retail – changes as of 31 July 2026
• IHK Cologne: Changes in sales law as of 31 July 2026
• Händlerbund: Right to repair – duties & opportunities for online retailers More guides on obligations, deadlines and invoicing for small businesses are available at office1.cloud.