The Right to Repair: Small Product Fixes with Big Impacts on Manufacturing

As products grow more complex and expensive, and as environmental concerns continue to mount, people are no longer willing to throw things away the moment they break. They want products built to last and the ability to repair them when they don’t.

The Right to Repair challenges outdated policies and business practices responsible for waste by pushing for ownership and giving people the access, tools, and information they need to fix the products they already own, rather than replace them. For manufacturers, this means rethinking design processes, and moving away from products built for short lifespans and toward ones made to last.

The Shift from Throwaway Culture to Repair Culture

Technology evolves at lightning speed, and it can often feel like products are designed to fail. Whether it’s a smartphone battery that loses life after two years, an appliance that’s cheaper to replace than repair, or industrial machinery that grinds to a halt due to a worn-out part, the result is always waste.

But today’s consumers are pushing back and asking: Why can’t we just fix it?

This is what drives the Right to Repair movement. Customers want straightforward access to spare parts, easy-to-follow repair guides, and fewer barriers when it comes to maintaining the products they own. They’re no longer content with being locked into expensive service plans or forced to discard perfectly good products over one minor fault.

Governments around the world are starting to take action to support this. Across the EU, new legislation is coming into effect that will require manufacturers to display a repairability score on eligible product packaging, and make it clear to buyers how easy or difficult it will be to maintain that item over its lifetime. For Manufacturers, this can be good for long-term business. They are realizing that helping customers extend the lifespan of their products can build trust, enhance brand reputation, and unlock new long-term revenue opportunities.

Beyond Repair: Why This Movement Matters More Than You Think

At first glance, the Right to Repair may sound like a technical or niche topic, but the impact stretches far beyond individual repair shops or DIY, indicating a broader shift in how we think about ownership, design, and sustainability. 

Products designed to be repaired, rather than replaced, stay in use longer, reducing waste, conserving natural resources, and keeping valuable materials in circulation. These principles are essential for building a more resilient, circular economy, where economic growth is no longer tied to excessive consumption and disposability.

And when integrated with predictive maintenance, the Right to Repair can transform modern product strategy. As Sam Burgess, Founder and CEO of Partful, notes: “These trends don’t just change how products are serviced; they redefine entire business models.”

Predictive Maintenance: Fixing Problems Before They Happen

While the Right to Repair focuses on fixing things after they’ve broken, predictive maintenance is about preventing failure before it occurs.

Thanks to advancements in real-time monitoring, smart sensors, and cloud-based diagnostics, manufacturers are increasingly able to predict when parts will wear out, often before the customer notices any issue at all.

Companies can thus transition from reactive customer service to proactive care. For example, rather than waiting for a machine to break down and halt production, predictive maintenance systems can notify both the manufacturer and the customer that a specific part is close to the end of its lifespan.

This not only avoids costly downtime but also builds a stronger, more reliable relationship between customer and brand. In fact, this technology is already reshaping how businesses define ownership. Some manufacturers are moving toward Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) models, where customers pay not for the product itself, but for guaranteed performance and uptime.

And the numbers show this is no small trend. The predictive maintenance market is projected to grow from USD 8.7 billion in 2023 to a massive USD 107.3 billion by 2033, according to Global Trade Magazine. The projected growth points to a major shift in how industries across the board, from manufacturing to transport to consumer electronics, approach product reliability and service.

The Right to Repair: Meeting Customer Expectations in the Age of Sustainability

But even with predictive maintenance, the reality is that things still break. And when they do, customers want to fix them on their terms. This is why the Right to Repair is becoming not just a legal requirement, but a fundamental part of the customer experience. Repairability is now a purchasing decision, not merely an afterthought.

The European Union’s upcoming repairability score legislation is a clear example of this. By making repairability part of the packaging, consumers can make informed decisions at the point of sale,  and are more likely to reward brands that prioritize long-term usability over short-term sales.

Partful’s own research shows just how strong this demand has become: 1 in 4 customers would willingly pay more than 50% of the cost of a product just for a spare part if it meant extending its life. That’s a significant indicator of trust, loyalty, and a willingness to invest in products that are built to last.

Building Long-Term Relationships, Not Just One-Off Sales

For manufacturers, adapting to the Right to Repair means embracing a longer-term, customer-first strategy. Products designed for longevity, supported by predictive maintenance and accessible repair paths, create stronger relationships and recurring revenue. Instead of a single transaction, manufacturers open the door to ongoing part sales, service partnerships, and subscription-based models that benefit both sides.

As Sam Burgess puts it: “The relationship between OEMs and customers is evolving, from one-off transactions to long-term partnerships of supportability and repair.”

This shift encourages businesses to rethink product design from the ground up: creating machines, devices, and tools that are easier to maintain, easier to upgrade, and ultimately, more valuable over their entire lifecycle.

When Will the New Right to Repair Rules Apply?

The EU officially adopted the Right to Repair directive on April 24, 2024. Member states are now required to implement the new rules into national law by July 31, 2026.

That means manufacturers should start preparing for changes now, as from mid-2026, consumers across the EU will gain stronger rights to repair, and manufacturers will face new design, service, and spare parts obligations. So, expect the following changes:

• Obligation to Repair After Warranty: Manufacturers will be required to offer repair services at a fair price and within a reasonable timeframe for a wide range of products, even after the legal warranty period has expired.
• Extended Guarantees for Repaired Goods: When consumers choose to repair rather than replace during the warranty period, the legal guarantee will automatically extend by an additional 12 months.
• Access to Spare Parts and Repair Information: Manufacturers will need to make spare parts, tools, and repair-related information accessible at reasonable prices, both for consumers and independent repairers. Practices that intentionally block repairs (via contracts, hardware, or software locks) will be prohibited.
• New Transparency and Support Tools: A new EU-wide online platform will help consumers easily find local repair services, refurbished product sellers, and community-led initiatives. Member states will also have to adopt at least one policy to promote repair, such as repair vouchers, funds, public campaigns, or education initiatives.

A Smarter, More Sustainable Future

Ultimately, the Right to Repair is prompting us to rethink how we build, buy, and maintain the products we rely on.

For manufacturers, embracing repairability and predictive maintenance is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do from a business perspective. By supporting repair-friendly design, companies can reduce waste, strengthen their reputation, drive new revenue streams, and help shape a more circular, sustainable economy.

For consumers, it means choice, control, and confidence that the products they invest in can stand the test of time.

And for the planet, it means less waste, fewer raw materials mined, and a smarter use of the resources we already have.

In the years ahead, the companies that thrive will be the ones that understand that ownership doesn’t end at the point of sale. It begins there. And repairability will be one of the clearest signs that a brand truly stands behind what it sells.