EU's 'Right to Repair' Takes Center Stage at IFA Berlin 2025
A major discussion on the EU’s 'Right to Repair' directive will take place at IFA Berlin on September 6, 2025. The event, free for all trade fair visitors, aims to explore how new rules are changing the way people fix household appliances. With repairs becoming more common, experts will examine the impact on consumers, retailers, and manufacturers. The EU’s 'Right to Repair' directive has pushed repairs and longer product lifespans into the spotlight. Research from IFH Cologne shows that one in three households faced a broken appliance covered by the directive in 2024. At the same time, over half of specialty retailers report a growing number of repair requests.
The panel discussion, held at 4:15 PM in Hall 25 on the 'Dream Stage', will bring together key figures from different sectors. Participants include Frank Schipper of BVT, Manfred Schnabel from Esch Group, Thilo Dröge of Wertgarantie, and Martin G. Loehe from Miele & Cie. Their discussion will draw on data from a wide-ranging study involving 4,131 consumers, 164 retailers, 20 manufacturers, and six spare parts companies. Wertgarantie, a specialty insurer with over 7,000 retail partners in Germany, will also present an exhibit in Hall 25 (Stand 259). Their display, themed 'Let’s talk about ReEconomy', will focus on the circular economy and the future of repairs. Around 80 percent of surveyed retail specialists believe demand for professional repairs will keep rising as appliances grow more complex.
The event highlights how the 'Right to Repair' directive is reshaping consumer habits and business practices. With more households needing fixes and retailers seeing higher demand, the discussion will provide insights into the challenges ahead. Wertgarantie’s involvement underscores the role of insurers in supporting a shift toward sustainable repairs.
