Static 1 source · 30m ago

Smartphone makers don't bother to comply with EU repairability requirements

A report by Right to Repair Europe reveals that over 80 percent of smartphones and tablets sold in the EU are non-compliant with new repairability regulations that took effect in June 2025. Manufacturers are failing to provide essential repair information, such as spare parts pricing and repair manuals, as required by the EU's framework. Many device listings in the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling contain blank fields or irrelevant links, with some even directing consumers to third-party marketplaces for parts. Despite this widespread non-compliance, several manufacturers are self-assigning top repairability scores to their devices. The report highlights issues with broad pricing brackets for parts and missing energy efficiency labels with repairability links. Right to Repair Europe questions the effectiveness of the regulations and the lack of enforcement, urging for better oversight and transparency, including the mandatory publication of documentation supporting repairability scores and easier ways for consumers to report violations. Upcoming EU regulations will mandate user-replaceable batteries for many new mobile devices.

AI Signal Decode

The core issue is the widespread failure of smartphone manufacturers to adhere to EU repairability requirements enacted in June 2025. The "Right to Repair Europe" coalition found that over 80% of devices lack crucial repair information, including spare parts availability and pricing, and repair guides. This non-compliance undermines the EU's goal of promoting longer product lifespans and reducing electronic waste by making devices harder and more expensive to fix. The current situation suggests a significant gap between regulatory intent and industry practice, impacting consumer choice and sustainability efforts.

Market implications are substantial, as consumers are effectively locked into manufacturer-controlled repair ecosystems, often leading to higher costs and shorter device lifecycles. The lack of accessible repair data also stifles the independent repair market. Manufacturers' self-awarded 'class A' repairability scores, despite clear non-compliance, indicate a lack of accountability and potentially misleading marketing to consumers. The EU's reliance on self-reporting without robust verification mechanisms appears to be a critical flaw, allowing companies to circumvent regulations without immediate consequence.

From a technical and consumer standpoint, the lack of standardized and accessible repair information poses significant challenges. Even when some information is provided, it often requires extensive navigation to find, and spare part pricing can be excessively vague or unavailable. The absence of repairability information on energy efficiency labels, which should serve as a primary point of reference, further compounds the problem. The upcoming mandate for user-replaceable batteries in February (with exceptions) is a positive step, but it doesn't address the broader information deficit for other repairs.

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Covered by: theregister