Repair is now mandatory —
we deliver the service behind it

It refers to Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on common rules promoting the repair of goods. Its aim is that faulty devices are repaired more often instead of being replaced. Germany implemented it with an act of 16 July 2026 that amends the Civil Code (BGB) and its Introductory Act (EGBGB).

The implementing act was published in the Federal Law Gazette on 22 July 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 212) and has been in force since 23 July 2026. The changes to sales law apply to sales contracts concluded from 31 July 2026. According to the explanatory memorandum, the manufacturer obligation has applied since entry into force, regardless of the date of purchase, but only within the time limits set by the relevant EU product rules.

Only goods in the product groups listed in Annex II of the Directive: household washing machines and washer-dryers, dishwashers, refrigerating appliances, electronic displays, welding equipment, vacuum cleaners, servers and data storage products, mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets, household tumble dryers, and goods containing batteries for light means of transport. At EU level, household local space heaters have been added. For vacuum cleaners, only mains-operated appliances are covered, not cordless or robot vacuums. For e-bikes and e-scooters, the obligation is limited to removing and replacing the battery. There is no general repair obligation for all electronics.

At the request of a consumer, they must repair the product within a reasonable time even after the legal guarantee has expired, free of charge or for a reasonable price (Section 479b BGB). They may not refuse solely because another repairer has worked on the device before. They must offer spare parts at a price that does not deter repair (Section 479c), publish indicative prices for typical repairs on a freely accessible website (Section 479d) and must not obstruct repair through hardware or software techniques (Section 479e). If repair is impossible, the obligation does not apply.

If a consumer chooses repair to remedy a defect, the original limitation period for claims based on defects is extended once by twelve months (Section 475e(5) BGB). According to the explanatory memorandum, this covers the entire item, not just the repaired part. Before remedying the defect, the seller must inform the consumer about the right to choose and about the extension (Section 475(4)) and may provide a replacement device free of charge for the duration of the repair, including a refurbished one (Section 475(6)). This applies to sales contracts concluded from 31 July 2026.

No. The form is voluntary, and consumers have no right to receive it (Article 245 § 1 EGBGB). A repairer that uses it with consumers must provide it free of charge on a durable medium and include all eleven mandatory details, among them the price or a maximum price. The repairer is then bound by the offer for 30 calendar days. Costs for a necessary diagnosis may only be charged if the consumer was informed of them in advance.

In that case, the manufacturer obligations fall on its authorised representative in the EU. If there is none, the importer is obliged, and if there is no importer, the distributor (Section 479f BGB). Importers and retailers therefore only step in for the manufacturer in this order, and they may also subcontract the repair. Independently of this, retailers as sellers are subject to the new information and guarantee rules of Sections 475 and 475e BGB.

Yes. The Directive expressly allows subcontracting (Article 5(1)). The obligation remains with the manufacturer, which is liable for its partner as for its own fault (Section 278 BGB). PST can operate defined repair, spare-parts, logistics and documentation processes, provided that scope, authorisation and responsibilities have been agreed. Products outside Annex II, such as robot vacuums, are not covered by a statutory manufacturer obligation. There, repair remains a matter of service or commercial guarantee, which PST handles as well.