Right to Repair: Consumer Freedom of Repair and a Sustainable Future

As the role of technological products in our lives continues to grow, their lifespan and repairability have become important topics of debate. Today, many electronic devices are replaced with new ones rather than repaired when they malfunction. Key reasons for this include manufacturers restricting access to spare parts and technical information, high repair costs, and making it difficult for users to access options outside authorized service centers. In this context, the Right to Repair movement is a global initiative that advocates for consumers’ right to repair and continue using the products they own.

The debate over the right to repair is not limited to consumer rights alone. It is also closely linked to sustainability, the reduction of electronic waste, and the environmental impact of production processes. In recent years, various legal regulations and policy initiatives on this issue have emerged both in Europe and in the United States.

The right to repair refers to the freedom of consumers to take their purchased products to any repair service of their choice, repair them themselves, or obtain necessary spare parts and technical information. This approach aims to limit manufacturers’ control over their products and enable users to use them for longer periods.

Many manufacturers in the past designed products in a way that only authorized service centers could intervene. This has made it difficult for independent repairers and users to perform repairs. Advocates of the right to repair argue that manufacturers must provide spare parts, repair tools, and technical documentation.

One of the core objectives of this approach is to increase consumer control over products while simultaneously delivering economic and environmental benefits.

One of the most comprehensive regulations on the right to repair has been developed by the European Union. In 2024, the European Union adopted a directive on common rules encouraging repair to promote longer product use.

Under this regulation, manufacturers are encouraged to offer repair services for specific products at reasonable prices and within reasonable timeframes. Additional measures include extending the warranty period for repaired products and improving consumer access to repair services.

The main goals of these regulations can be summarized in three key points:

• Extending the lifespan of products
• Increasing consumer access to repair options
• Reducing the volume of electronic waste

The European Union’s approach is viewed as part of its circular economy policies. The circular economy model aims to maximize product longevity and improve resource efficiency.

The right to repair movement is also strongly debated in the United States, not just in Europe. Research in this area shows that many professionals in the repair sector face significant challenges in accessing spare parts and technical information.

In a survey of repair professionals, a significant portion reported that manufacturers’ restrictions on part sales or refusal to share technical schematics have made repairing certain devices difficult.

In recent years, several U.S. states have adopted regulations supporting the right to repair. These regulations aim to require manufacturers to provide specific technical information and spare parts to independent repairers and consumers.

One of the most important drivers of the right to repair debate is the rapidly growing volume of electronic waste worldwide. The short lifespan of electronic devices creates a serious environmental burden.

According to international reports, approximately 62 million tons of electronic waste is generated globally each year, and only a limited portion of this waste is recycled. This situation leads to the unnecessary consumption of natural resources and increased environmental pollution.

According to advocates of the right to repair, enabling products to be used for longer periods can play a crucial role in reducing electronic waste. Therefore, the right to repair is not merely a consumer right but is also seen as part of sustainable development policies.

The right to repair movement has emerged as a global initiative to rethink how technological products are used. Its core objectives include giving consumers greater control over their products, supporting the independent repair sector, and reducing electronic waste.

Regulations being implemented in the European Union and the United States demonstrate that the right to repair is gaining increasing importance. In the coming years, repairability is expected to be given greater consideration across many areas, from product design to production policies.

These developments are regarded as the beginning of a significant transformation in both consumer rights and environmental sustainability.