Smartphone makers don't bother to comply with EU repairability requirements

One year after the EU's repairability rules for smartphones and tablets came into effect, over 80 percent of devices still lack the necessary repair information, according to Right to Repair Europe. These rules mandate a mandatory self-reported repairability score and require device makers to publish information to aid users in repairing their devices.

However, a review of the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling found that only about 18 percent of smartphone models listed a website for spare parts prices or repair instructions. Half of the records had blank spaces for this information, while 19 percent referred to non-repair-relevant pages. Some manufacturers even directed customers to third-party sites like Temu or AliExpress for spare parts and repair instructions.

Notably, some brands awarded themselves top repairability scores despite non-compliance. While some technically compliant products still provided vague price ranges for parts, the listed weblink often led to a dead end. Right to Repair Europe questions the EU's effectiveness if so many devices are on sale without compliance. The group also challenges the validity of self-assigned repairability scores and suggests consumers should be able to report non-compliance more easily. The European Commission has not yet commented on these findings.