How Appliance Manufacturers Are Changing Their Repair Policies - and What It Means for Consumers

New UK repair laws for kitchen appliances give consumers access to spare parts and manuals, allowing for lower cost repairs, extended appliance life, more choices, and reduced electronic waste.

Manufacturers Loosen Their Grip on Repairs: A Win for UK Consumers

Having your washing machine repaired or booking a fridge repair have become somewhat easier recently thanks to the domestic kitchen appliances industry changing its policies. Manufacturers have been asked to loosen their grip on their repair service exclusivity, and also on repair parts – more specifically, customers can now buy them from approved sellers as well. This is good news as consumers have more choice, and also for DIY enthusiasts who have enough expertise and enjoy repairing their home appliances.

The Shift in Manufacturer Repair Policies

In the past most manufacturers have made it difficult for consumers to repair their own kitchen appliances. Independent technician or repair service providers have also been restricted in what they can do - with parts being tightly controlled and repair manuals guarded, manufacturer approved repairs were quite expensive as a consequence.

But that has changed in recent years as manufacturers have been strongly encouraged – although not specifically required – to agree to more repair-friendly policies. This has been achieved with pressure from consumers leading to the Right to Repair Legislation in UK in July 2021, which calls for:

• Making spare parts available to repair services providers and to customers
• Publishing detailed repair manuals online
• Designing appliances that could be repaired
• Offering longer warranty periods
• Supporting products for up to 10 years

These policy changes have been made possible by the Right to Repair campaign, whose aim is to give consumers more control and flexibility over how to fix their own products. The law currently covers white goods such as:

• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators
• Dryers
• TVs and some electronic displays

The law does not yet include smaller kitchen appliances like kettles, toasters, or microwaves.

Why Is the Change Happening

There are several key factors that are behind the change in repair policies:

1. Consumers

Campaigners across the UK and Europe have been voicing their disapproval of manufacturers for producing 'disposable' appliances that are cheaper to replace than to repair, and that this leads to avoidable waste and environmental damage.

2. Government Legislation

In 2021, the UK introduced new rules requiring manufacturers to make spare parts for certain white goods such as washing machines, fridges, and dishwashers, available to purchase for up to 10 years. This means that they must keep producing them for this stretch of time to assist repair providers and consumers. Similar laws are spreading across Europe too.

3. Environment

Reducing waste and carbon emissions has been gaining priority in recent years. Repairing appliances instead of replacing them helps households reduce their environmental footprint.

What This Means for Consumers

The changes bring several long-awaited benefits for consumers, independent repairs engineers, and also for us as a domestic kitchen appliances repair company.

✔ Cheaper Repairs

With the access to spare parts and detailed manuals comes the freedom to search and compare repair companies and independent technicians, and the ability to find lower repair rates. DIY home repairs are also gaining popularity, with quite high success rates.

✔ Longer Appliance Lifespan

More and better repair choices mean that domestic appliances can last longer, which gives consumers better value for money and reduces waste as there is no need for constant replacements – now you can more easily repair your appliances instead.

✔ More Repair Choices

You finally don't have to rely exclusively on the manufacturer's repair service. Independent appliance repair businesses and technicians now have more freedom, which means lower rates, more options and faster service.

✔ More Informed Purchases

Consumers are now able to navigate more easily in the world of kitchen appliances as manufacturers who allow for repairability often advertise it as a feature. This means that you can narrow down your search even further, instead of just comparing prices.

A Few Details to Watch Out For

Even with the changes being implemented, there are still a few things you should keep in mind.

• Not all appliances are covered: Some small kitchen gadgets and older models may still not be covered by the repair-friendly policies.
• DIY isn't always risk-free: Repairing electrical appliances without the right training can be dangerous, even life-threatening. Always consult a professional, especially for complex problems. Check our or follow our Health & Safety Tips for Appliance Repair on how to protecting yourself and your home.
• Fake parts: With more demand for spare parts, counterfeit parts are becoming a serious issue. Make sure to always buy from a reliable source.

This is how the law and policies have changed to allow consumers to have more options when it comes to repairing their domestic kitchen appliances. It's much better than a few years ago, and we hope that more changes are coming to improve the industry even further to offer better value for money, and allow us to keep the planet cleaner and safer for all of us.