Right to Repair in United Kingdom (2026): Law, Coverage, and Impact

Last updated: 4 May 2026

Right to Repair in United Kingdom: legislation status

Reviewed by the eCycling Central editorial team on May 2026

Current status: Enacted (limited).

| Field | Value | |---|---| | Law | Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/745) | | Status | Enacted (limited) | | In force from | 2021 | | Coverage | Washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, electric motors, lighting, displays | | Lead agency | Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) |

Key provisions

Manufacturers must supply spare parts to professional repairers for 7-10 years. Smartphones NOT covered (post-Brexit gap vs EU). DEFRA consultation 2024 on expanding to electronics.

How United Kingdom compares globally

The strongest national/regional Right to Repair regimes as of May 2026:

France - mandatory Repair Index labels, government-funded Repair Bonus
EU (27 states) - 2024 RTR Directive: mandatory repair option for 5-10 years, parts pairing banned 2026
Austria - Reparaturbonus pays €200/year per person for repairs
Quebec, Canada - banned planned obsolescence (Bill 29, 2024)
California (US) - SB 244 covers $50+ electronics for 7+ years

What it means for United Kingdom consumers

Consumers in United Kingdom have no enacted Right to Repair law. Repair access depends on manufacturer goodwill or general consumer-protection statutes.

Why Right to Repair matters

Per UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, only 22.3% of the 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022 was formally collected and recycled. The single biggest driver of premature disposal is unaffordable repair. Right to Repair laws reduce repair costs by:

Forcing manufacturers to supply parts and tools at fair pricing
Banning parts-pairing software locks
Mandating multi-year parts availability
Requiring open diagnostic tool access

In jurisdictions with mature RTR laws (France, EU bloc), independent repair sector employment has grown 15-30% since 2021.

Related resources

Sources

Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) official communications
EU Right to Repair Directive 2024/1799 (where applicable)
Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Right to Repair Tracker
iFixit Right to Repair pages

Frequently Asked Questions

Does United Kingdom have a Right to Repair law?

Status: Enacted (limited). Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/745). In force since 2021.

What does United Kingdom's Right to Repair cover?

Washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, electric motors, lighting, displays

Who enforces Right to Repair in United Kingdom?

Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).