Summary

From 2025 onward, the Repairability Index will be mandatory for products like smartphones, laptops, and tablets sold in Germany. It scores how easy a device is to repair, providing transparency for consumers and a strong incentive for manufacturers to design products that last. As regulation tightens, companies that act early stand to gain: not just by staying compliant, but by tapping into a growing demand for durable, serviceable products.
Close-up of a partially disassembled smartphone with visible battery and internal components, lying on a wooden surface next to a precision screwdriver and a blue plastic opening tool.

What Is the Repairability Index?

The Repairability Index (RI) is a legally required score that rates how easily a product can be repaired. It’s part of a broader push to reduce waste, extend product lifespans, and empower consumers with meaningful, comparable information at the point of purchase.

At launch, the index will apply to core electronics like laptops, smartphones, and tablets — with more product categories expected to follow. It’s a powerful signal of where the market is headed: away from throwaway tech, and toward circular, repairable design.

Timeline and Legal Basis

The push for repairability comes from both consumers and policymakers. Between 2023 and 2024, Germany translated EU-wide sustainability goals into national law, anchoring the Repairability Index within the Ecodesign Directive framework. It’s also closely linked to the Digital Product Passport initiative.

Starting in 2025, all relevant products sold in Germany must display a repairability label, with manufacturers and retailers held accountable for its accuracy and visibility.

How Is Repairability Scored?

Behind each Repairability Index score is a detailed assessment of:

  • How easily the product can be disassembled
  • Whether spare parts are available — and at what price
  • If repair instructions are publicly accessible
  • Whether software support is guaranteed for a minimum period

Priority is given to components that typically fail first: the battery, screen, casing, and motherboard. Based on these factors, each device receives a score from A (very good) to E (poor). These scores are converted into consumer-friendly labels and must be displayed both in-store and online, often via QR code linking to the EU’s EPREL database.

What Do Manufacturers Need to Do?

Compliance starts with reliable self-assessment. Manufacturers must evaluate and document each product’s repairability according to the official criteria. From there, they need to:

  • Embed repairability into product design — modularity, standard screws, accessible components
  • Publish repair documentation
  • Ensure spare parts are available for a defined period
  • Label every eligible product with its Repairability Index grade

This isn’t just an administrative task. It requires collaboration across design, engineering, logistics, and legal teams — and represents a strategic shift toward long-term value creation.

Top view of an Arduino Uno microcontroller board surrounded by electronic components, including resistors, LEDs, jumper wires, switches, and a breadboard, arranged on a bright blue background.

What Does the Index Mean for Retailers and Consumers?

Retailers are now responsible for making repairability visible and accessible. Whether online or in-store, consumers must be able to see and compare repairability grades at a glance.

For consumers, this means more transparency and better decision-making. Instead of guessing how long a product might last or how much a repair would cost, they’ll have clear, comparable information. This transparency also builds trust — especially for brands that proactively communicate their repairability scores and the thinking behind them.

How Is Germany Leading the Way in Circular Electronics?

With this move, Germany is setting a new standard for sustainable electronics. The Repairability Index is more than a label — it’s a catalyst. It encourages a culture of repair, discourages planned obsolescence, and signals to the market that circular design is not optional, but essential.

Brands that embrace this shift will be better positioned not only in Germany, but across the EU — especially as Digital Product Passports and other circular economy regulations take hold.

What Should Brands and Retailers Do Next?

The most forward-thinking companies aren’t just checking boxes — they’re turning repairability into a competitive advantage. Here's how:

  1. Start with a compliance audit to assess your product portfolio against the Repairability Index.
  2. Adapt your design processes to prioritize modularity and repairability.
  3. Communicate proactively — use the Repairability Index to show your commitment to quality, service, and sustainability.
  4. Partner with platforms like koorvi to build integrated resale, repair, and take-back programs that align with the regulation — and turn it into new revenue.

Germany’s Repairability Index is here. The question isn’t whether to respond — it’s how fast you’ll turn this obligation into opportunity.

FAQs

What is the Repairability Index and which consumer electronics does it cover in Germany?

The Repairability Index is a mandatory scoring system introduced in Germany that measures how easily consumer electronics like smartphones, laptops, and tablets can be repaired. It aims to extend product lifespans, reduce waste, and help consumers make informed choices. Coverage will expand to additional product categories in the future.

How does the Repairability Index scoring system work and what criteria are evaluated?

The scoring system assesses:

  • Ease of disassembly
  • Availability and pricing of spare parts
  • Accessibility of repair manuals and technical documentation
  • Software updates and support

Priority parts such as batteries, screens, and mainboards carry more weight. Scores are converted to A–E grades displayed on labels.

When does the Repairability Index become mandatory for manufacturers and retailers in Germany?

The index becomes mandatory starting in 2025. From this time, manufacturers and retailers must comply with the labeling, documentation, and reporting requirements to legally sell covered consumer electronics in Germany.

What steps must manufacturers take to comply with the Repairability Index requirements?

Manufacturers need to:

  • Assess product repairability according to defined criteria
  • Document repair-friendly design features
  • Provide accurate labeling with the Repairability Index grade
  • Submit required technical documentation and comply with reporting obligations

How are retailers affected by the Repairability Index and what are their obligations?

Retailers must display the Repairability Index labels on product packaging and in online listings. Labels must be clearly visible to consumers. Retailers also provide QR codes linking to detailed product repair data in the EPREL database.

How can consumers use the Repairability Index label to make better purchase decisions?

Consumers use the Repairability Index label to identify products that are easier and more cost-effective to repair. This supports purchasing durable products, reduces electronic waste, and encourages brands to prioritize repair-friendly designs.

What impact does the Repairability Index have on the circular economy and sustainability in consumer electronics?

The Repairability Index fosters a circular economy by encouraging repair, reuse, and waste reduction. It helps shift the market toward sustainable product lifecycles, reduces environmental impact, and aligns with broader EU circularity goals.

Can brands leverage the Repairability Index to boost resale and take-back programs?

Yes, brands can use the Repairability Index to showcase their commitment to sustainability and product longevity, enhancing customer trust. Integrating repairability scores with take-back and resale programs, supported by platforms like koorvi, can improve profitability and brand reputation while ensuring regulatory compliance.