The UK’s 2021 “right to repair” rules: spare parts for up to 10 years

Since 1 July 2021, the UK has had its own “right to repair” rules, part of the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021. They are designed to kill the throwaway appliance — the machine you bin because a part is impossible to get.

The core obligation: makers of washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and freezers, and televisions must make spare parts and repair information available for years after a model goes on sale — up to 10 years for most appliances, 7 years for fridges. They must also design for repairability, so common parts can be swapped with ordinary tools.

There is an important limit for DIYers: many parts only have to be supplied to professional repairers, though some — like dishwasher door seals, hinges, and drain filters — must be available to consumers directly. So the rules make repair possible, but often still point you toward a qualified engineer.

Rules like these only save you money if you act on them — fixing instead of replacing when the maths favours it. That is what OwnWise is for: it helps you diagnose what failed, find the right part, weigh a repair against a new machine, and check what warranty or legal coverage already applies — so a fixable appliance gets fixed, not landfilled.