The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against 18 EU member states for failing to transpose the   to Repair Directive into national law by the required deadline

Despite the legislation being designed to make repairs easier and more accessible for consumers, the majority of EU countries have yet to implement the rules more than two months after the transposition deadline passed.

The countries that have received a Letter of Formal Notice are Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden.

The Commission said the governments concerned now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings identified. If the responses are deemed unsatisfactory, the next step could see the Commission issue a Reasoned Opinion, a formal request requiring compliance with EU law.

The Right to Repair Directive aims to reduce waste, extend product lifespans and strengthen consumer rights by making repairs a more attractive alternative to replacement. The latest enforcement action highlights the challenges of implementing the legislation consistently across the EU.