One year after new EU repairability rules came into force, are our smartphones and laptops actually getting easier to…
Making it easier to repair an old smartphone or laptop, rather than buying a new one, has long been a goal of tech enthusiasts, and the EU took a big step towards making that a reality in June 2025 with the introduction of its "Ecodesign" requirements.
The European Commission's rules require manufacturers of smartphones and certain tablets to meet new obligations covering spare parts, repair information, and the fundamental design of their devices. Laptops aren't covered by these particular rules, although other EU regulations apply to them.
More than a year later, there are some real signs of improvement – but also lingering questions about the difficulty and cost of repairs.
So, how much has actually changed? Are smartphones easier to repair, and are laptops heading in the same direction? To make sense of the EU's repairability push, TechRadar spoke to three experts.
Europe's repair revolution
The EU's rules...
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