Right to Repair: Your Consumer Rights Explained | LegalDocuments.co.uk

Overview

The Right to Repair is a set of regulations requiring manufacturers of specific electrical goods to make spare parts and technical repair documentation available for a defined period after a product is placed on the market. The aim is to reduce the volume of electrical waste sent to landfill, cut down on premature disposal, and give owners a genuine alternative to replacement when an appliance fails.

In practice, the rules apply to a limited list of product categories rather than all electronics. Covered items generally include dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers, domestic refrigeration, televisions, and certain commercial refrigeration and display units. Manufacturers must supply parts to professional repairers, and in some cases directly to end users, for a set number of years after the last unit of a model has been sold.

The Right to Repair sits alongside, rather than replaces, your existing protections under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If a product is faulty, not of satisfactory quality, or not fit for purpose, you still have separate rights against the retailer, which can include repair, replacement, a price reduction, or a refund depending on the circumstances.

Key steps

1. Check whether your appliance falls within scope. Not every electrical product is covered by the regulations. Start by identifying the category of the item, such as whether it is a washing machine, dishwasher, fridge, or television, and look at when it was placed on the market, since the rules apply to products sold from July 2021 onwards.
2. Track down the manufacturer's repair information. Manufacturers within scope are required to publish or supply technical documents, exploded diagrams, and details of replacement parts. Visit the brand's official website, look for a dedicated spare parts or service area, and make a note of the model and serial number before you make contact so enquiries can be handled quickly.
3. Decide between a professional repairer and a DIY fix. Some parts are only made available to registered professional repairers, while others can be purchased by end consumers directly. Weigh up the safety implications of opening the appliance yourself, particularly with anything involving mains electricity, refrigerant gases, or structural components, and use a qualified engineer where appropriate.
4. Keep your Consumer Rights Act options open. If the appliance is still relatively new and the fault points to an inherent defect rather than wear and tear, your first port of call should be the retailer you bought it from. Raise the issue in writing, keep copies of receipts and correspondence, and do not assume that repair under the Right to Repair rules replaces a refund or replacement you may be entitled to.
5. Factor repairability into future purchases. The regulations are starting to shape how products are designed, with more modular components and accessible fixings appearing on the market. When buying replacement goods, look at how long the manufacturer commits to providing spare parts, whether repair manuals are published, and how widely independent repairers support the brand, as these all affect long-term value.