EU infringement proceedings against Italy and 17 other countries over the right to redress

The European Commission has decided to launch infringement proceedings against Italia and 17 other EU Member States for failing to notify the Commission of the full transposition of the Directive on the right to repair and a related delegated directive. Brussels announced this in a statement, noting that EU Member States had until 31 July to transpose both. The 18 capitals, including Rome, now have two months to respond and remedy the shortcomings identified; should a satisfactory response not be forthcoming, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion, thereby proceeding with infringement proceedings.

The EU directive aims to promote sustainable consumption by making it easier to repair products rather than replace them, and gives consumers the right to request repairs for products such as smartphones, washing machines or fridges, even after the statutory guarantee has expired. Manufacturers are required to offer repairs at a reasonable price and within a reasonable timeframe, as well as to provide clear information about their repair services. In this way, the directive aims to help consumers save money, reduce waste, extend the life cycle of products and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy point out, however, that Italia has already completed the transposition of the European directive on the right to repair (EU Directive 2024/1799) following the adoption of the legislative decree by the Council of Ministers. The measure was approved on 16 September 2026. “The initiation of the infringement procedure,” the ministry states, “is attributable to a mere formal timing discrepancy, linked to the timeframe for the approval of the European delegation law. The fact that transposition has taken place will be communicated to the European Commission to allow for a swift conclusion of the procedure.”

The Commission has also decided to launch infringement proceedings against all Member States, including Italia, for failing to notify measures fully transposing the Directive on industrial and livestock emissions. The directive, updated in 2024, has tightened the rules on emissions reduction, aiming to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and extending its scope. It strengthens the public’s rights and introduces a new right to claim compensation for damage to health caused by unlawful pollution.

Member States had until 1 July 2026 to transpose the updated directive: to date, as mentioned, none of the Member States has notified the Commission by the deadline that they have fully transposed the updated directive. The Commission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to all Member States, which now have two months to respond and notify the Commission of the measures taken to fully transpose the directive. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.