News item | 03-20-2026 | 3:30 PM
Repair electrical products instead of replacing them or purchasing new ones. That is the purpose of the repair obligation for manufacturers that will apply in the course of 2026. This concerns electronics that consumers use a lot, such as washing machines, smartphones, televisions, vacuum cleaners and also certain electric scooters/bicycles. Manufacturers may charge a reasonable fee for a repair.
At the proposal of Minister Herbert of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Council of Ministers has approved a bill to make the repair of electrical appliances easier and more affordable for consumers.
Minister Herbert: “Consumers will soon be able to save money by using their products for longer. The repair obligation will lead to equal market rules throughout the European Union when it comes to stimulating sustainable consumption and the circular economy. Moreover, this bill may create a repair market. Manufacturers can receive reasonable compensation.”
When to go to seller, when to go to manufacturer?
The repair obligation for manufacturers applies if a product breaks down outside the legal warranty. If a product breaks sooner than you could reasonably expect, you as a consumer will still go to the seller. This must then be repaired free of charge on the basis of the legal warranty period. If a product is no longer covered by the warranty, this bill will now make it easier for you to contact the manufacturer for repairs.
Offer spare parts and online platform to promote repairs
Under the proposed legislation, manufacturers will soon be obliged to offer certain spare parts to consumers or repairers. They are also not allowed to prevent repairs by, for example, including this in conditions or by using certain hardware or software techniques. There is now already a Dutch online platform where people can find repairers. Repairers can register at nationalreparateursregister.nl if they meet the quality requirements.
This concerns the introduction of the EU directive on the promotion of repairs in the Netherlands. The bill has now been sent to the Council of State for advice and will then go to the House of Representatives and Senate for consideration.
