Ireland gives people a right to repair phones and appliances

When a phone or washing machine breaks, replacement can be costly and create avoidable waste. Ireland’s new rules aim to make repair realistic. Here are four things worth knowing.

1. The problem
   Manufacturers can make products difficult to fix, while unclear prices and unavailable parts push households towards buying replacements.

2. The response
   Ireland has introduced EU right-to-repair rules covering specified appliances, phones, tablets and other products. Manufacturers must offer repairs within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price, provide accessible information and avoid unjustified software or hardware barriers.

3. What can be learned
   Consumer choice depends on practical infrastructure, not encouragement alone. A standard repair-information form will help people compare offers, while RepairMyStuff.ie is being developed as Ireland’s national directory for finding repairers.

4. The limitations
   The right applies only to listed product categories, repairs do not have to be free, and manufacturers may refuse when repair is genuinely impossible. Ireland has until July 2027 to complete its national platform, and it is too early to know how much money or waste the rules will save.