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
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
What happened
Making it easier to repair an old smartphone or laptop, rather than buying a brand-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 brand-new obligations covering spare parts, repair information, and the fundamental design of their devices.
Why it matters
Privacy-minded readers should check which data leaves the device and what stays local. Laptops aren't covered by these particular rules, although other EU regulations apply to them.
What's next
Privacy-minded readers should check which data leaves the device and what stays local. Source coverage: TechRadar. We will keep tracking updates in our news section and in the AI & Machine Learning category.
