Navigating the EU Right to Repair Directive - Compliance business opportunities

Over the past decade, the focus on environmental issues has grown exponentially, resulting in various global commitments initiatives aimed at transforming current institutional, economic, and financial models.

The EU Right to Repair Directive (Directive 2024/1799/EU), adopted on June 13, 2024, is a pivotal component of the European Green Deal, aiming to foster sustainable consumption by promoting the repair and reuse of goods. This directive mandates that manufacturers and sellers facilitate easier, more affordable repairs, thereby extending product lifespans and reducing waste. Businesses must align with these new obligations by July 31, 2026, to ensure compliance and capitalise on emerging opportunities in the circular economy.

By the end of this training, participants will:

• understand the scope and requirements of the EU Right to Repair Directive;
• identify the implications for manufacturers, retailers, and repair service providers;
• explore strategies to integrate repair-friendly practices into business models;
• assess the compliance timeline and necessary steps for timely adherence;
• recognise the potential benefits of embracing repair initiatives, including enhanced customer loyalty sustainability credentials.

• Introduction to the EU Right to Repair Directive
  • What is the Right to Repair, and why is it important?
  • Connection to EU sustainability goals - Circular economy, waste reduction, and Green Deal
  • Industries affected and compliance deadlines
• Key regulatory requirements and compliance obligations
  • Mandatory repair services beyond the legal warranty period
  • Obligation to provide spare parts and repair manuals
  • Establishment of an EU-wide online repair platform to connect consumers with repair services
  • Consumer right to choose independent repair services without voiding warranties
• Business impact & legal risks
  • Financial and operational costs of compliance
  • Regulatory penalties and consumer lawsuits for non-compliance
  • Reputational risks - Consumer expectations around sustainability transparency
  • Opportunities for businesses to enhance circularity and create new service-based revenue streams
• Funding and incentives available from the EU
• Next steps for businesses
  • Conducting product portfolio assessments for repairability
  • Establishing repair service frameworks and spare parts availability
  • Training customer service, legal, and compliance teams
  • Enhancing marketing and consumer communication strategies to align with the directive

This training is coordinated by Michael Horvath and Julien Jacqué, Partners at PwC Luxembourg.

• Michael Horvath is a partner at PwC with extensive expertise in sustainable finance and the asset management industry, including both financial and real assets. Since joining PwC Switzerland in 2011 and PwC Luxembourg in 2018, he has led significant projects in regulatory audit and advisory, focusing on the asset management sector. Michael has played a key role in implementing the EU regulatory framework for sustainable finance, including SFDR, taxonomy regulation, and CSRD, as well as other regulatory initiatives such as DORA, AML/CFT, CSSF circular 18/698, and MICA. He is a certified public accountant in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and has contributed to designing compliance frameworks and operational implementations driven by regulatory changes. His notable client projects include defining target operating models for Luxembourg AIFMs, digital operational resilience planning, AML/CFT framework implementation, and ESG/sustainability process design, supported by his involvement in training and regulatory advisory.
• Julien Jacqué is a partner in PwC Luxembourg’s technology consulting department, co-leading the ESG Non-financial sector service offering and ESG Data & Technology services across sectors. With over 12 years of experience, he supports operational and financial clients in launching Sustainability and ESG transformation programs, guiding them from ESG strategy definition to business model transformation and regulatory reporting. Specialising in transport, logistics, manufacturing, and financial services, Julien leads large-scale transformation projects and international teams, including ESG reporting upgrades for telecom clients. His expertise includes ESG strategy, Net Zero, business intelligence platforms, and end-to-end project leadership for major clients in Europe and beyond.