One year after new EU repairability rules came into force, are our smartphones and laptops actually getting easier to repair? Here's what I found out

One year after the European Union introduced new rules aimed at making smartphones and laptops easier to repair, the impact of these regulations is a mixed picture. While there have been some improvements in spare parts availability, repair documentation, and repairability ratings on energy labels, the overall ease of repairing devices remains a challenge.

The rules require manufacturers to make specified replacement components available for at least seven years after a model stops being sold on the EU market, and to provide repair information and software tools. Batteries must also meet minimum durability standards. The EU energy labels now include an A-E repairability rating based on factors like disassembly difficulty and replacement parts availability.

However, the changes are not yet translating into widespread ease of repair for consumers. Experts note that accessing replacement parts is only one aspect of the repair process, and physical repairs can still be difficult, especially for more affordable smartphone brands. Additionally, while the rules have improved the availability of repair instructions and reduced software restrictions on replacement parts, the cost of replacement components can still be prohibitively high, with replacement parts for high-end devices sometimes costing over €400.

This can be a significant fraction of the device's total price. Overall, while the EU's repairability rules have made some progress, significant challenges remain in making smartphones and laptops truly easy to repair.