Right to Repair and the EU Repair Clause: You Decide When and Where Repairs or Replacements Take Place

Everything seems to be getting more expensive and complicated these days, but we bring you good news. From 31 July 2026, the Right to Repair Directive (EU) 2024/1799 will be fully applicable. However, for windscreens and other visible parts, the EU Design Reform has already been in force since 1 May 2025 and continues to roll out. This ensures that replacing windscreens becomes much easier, faster and more affordable, while also covering other repairs and replacements. Read on to discover what the EU Repair Clause means for you, as it has significant positive implications for both your wallet and your comfort.

What is the Right to Repair Directive?

The Right to Repair Directive, also known as the new EU Repair Clause, represents a complete change in design law as described in the revised Design Regulation and Design Directive. It limits the protection of design rights (also known as model rights) on visible and complex parts. Manufacturers may no longer use their exclusive rights when parts are used solely to restore a product to its original condition after damage or wear.

This specifically concerns repairs. Design rights remain applicable for the creation of new products (such as a brand-new car).

Why was the Right to Repair Directive introduced?

Current society is heading toward a linear economy — the ‘take-make-waste’ model — where new products must constantly be manufactured because damaged or defective devices are immediately discarded. This creates a constant demand for new raw materials and high emissions.

The goal is to transition to a circular economy, where raw materials and parts are used, reused and repaired for as long as possible. This reduces waste, lowers the demand for new resources, and decreases emissions. Given that the Netherlands aims for a fully circular economy by 2050 and a 50% reduction in primary raw material consumption by 2030, this directive is a logical step.

Another factor contributing to its acceptance is that it creates more employment in Europe and strongly benefits smaller enterprises, such as repair shops, garages and windscreen replacement specialists. For the consumer, the goal is to promote competition in the spare parts market, making repairs cheaper, more accessible and faster, while providing significantly more freedom of choice.

Why was I not aware of this as a consumer?

Most large corporations are not pleased with the new regulations and are not exactly eager to inform you. They are primarily concerned about the loss of income when consumers are no longer forced to visit them exclusively for repairs and replacements. If you doubt this: the introduction of these rules has been discussed for over 30 years. The proposal was finally adopted in mid-2024, and there is a high chance you are reading about it here for the first time.

This is also why the European Union has mandated that EU member states must take at least one measure to inform citizens about these new rules. The EU likely hopes that smaller, independent repairers will handle the rest of the communication.

What does this mean for you concretely?

Directive 2024/1799, or the Right to Repair Directive, primarily means that from 31 July 2026, you can choose where you have repairs performed. It makes replacement parts more affordable because manufacturers can no longer claim exclusivity over certain designs. Simultaneously, repair becomes a viable option; you won’t have to immediately replace a broken phone or appliance, as manufacturers must ensure replacement parts are available at reasonable prices.

Additionally, the warranty period is extended by 12 months for products repaired under this directive. To make repairs even more attractive, repairers must provide consumers with European repair information, such as the time required for repair and the price of replacement parts. This information must remain valid for 30 days.

Why the EU Repair Clause makes car repairs much cheaper

The automotive industry has always faced many obstacles regarding repairs and replacement parts — for instance, when a specific design was protected by a patent, or the use of technical blockades on the OBD port. This forced you to visit a main dealer, who often charges significantly more than an independent repairer. This is coming to an end. New laws (including the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption and Access to In-Vehicle Data laws) state that such blockades are no longer permitted. This means independent specialists are now fully capable of performing calibrations because the OBD port is accessible.

Since May 2025, a fundamental change has occurred. After 30 years of lobbying, the monopoly of car manufacturers on visible ‘must-match’ replacement parts — including headlights, body panels and windscreens — has fallen. Because you now decide where to have your vehicle repaired or where the windscreen installation takes place, you enjoy more freedom, significantly lower costs, and faster service.

For completeness: the guidelines regarding visible must-match parts (such as new windscreens) are officially part of the EU Design Reform (EU Regulation 2024/2822 and EU Directive 2024/2823), not the Right to Repair Directive. This has been largely applicable since 1 May 2025.

An important note regarding insurance and windscreen replacement costs

Although you are entirely free to choose your own repairer, your car insurance provider may try to direct you to one of their partners by offering a lower deductible. Always check your policy conditions. More and more insurers are accepting independent specialists, and with these EU rules, freedom of choice continues to grow.

Compare our prices before making a choice; even with the 'penalty' from your insurer, we are often more affordable without compromising on quality or service. In fact, we often complete the windscreen installation much faster and offer the convenience of mobile service.

Ammunition for the consumer: How to handle the conversation with your insurer

Insurers often try to steer you toward their 'glass partners' by threatening a higher deductible or claims of voided warranties. With the new EU legislation, you stand stronger than ever:

1. Demand Equality: If an insurer claims you must visit a main dealer for 'quality', refer to the EU rules. The law confirms that independent specialists have access to the same technical data and that windscreens from Autoglas Concurrent are legally recognised as identical replacement parts.
2. The Math Wins: Don't be deterred by a higher deductible. Because prices at Autoglas Concurrent are often hundreds of euros lower than at the dealer, you are usually cheaper off at the end of the day — even after paying the deductible yourself.
3. Freedom of Choice is a Right: The EU promotes healthy market competition. By choosing an independent specialist, you help break the monopoly of large corporations.
   
   

What you can expect from us regarding windscreen replacement

With us, you can have your windscreen replaced within 48 hours, for example, which means you no longer have to wait weeks or longer before it is your car's turn. At the same time, you sacrifice nothing in terms of quality or convenience when you have a car window installation performed by us. On the contrary: you choose OE quality (Original Equipment, thus qualitatively identical to the original windscreens), the correct calibration techniques (identical to those used in brand dealerships), and certified equipment, which is also thanks to the high standards of our professional installation partners.

We have been doing this for years, but thanks to the Right to Repair and the EU Design Reform, you can now fully benefit from this and save significantly. At Autoglas Concurrent, you never pay the main dealer margin or extra for an exclusive brand logo that adds nothing to the performance of the glass.