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
Handle invoices more easily
Easy Invoice combines quotes, invoices and customer management in the cloud.
Try Easy InvoiceRead next
Taxes & Law
When does selling become commercial on eBay & co.? The limits in 2026 – and what to do
When does selling on eBay & co. count as commercial? The 2026 criteria, the big 30-sales myth and the stress-free path to registering a business.
Taxes & Law
eBay & Amazon report to the tax office: what DAC7 2026 really means for small sellers
eBay, Amazon & co. report sales to the tax office. We explain the 30-sales and 2,000-euro thresholds – and why a report doesn't mean a tax bill.
Taxes & Law
E-invoicing obligation for small businesses: who has to, when – and who (still) doesn't
Many small self-employed people think they must issue e-invoices right now. Usually that's not true. The timeline, the thresholds and what really applies.