Right to repair: ZDK warns of liability traps

After the Federal Council addressed the Federal Government's draft law and failed to mention potential liability risks in the automotive trade, the ZDK calls on the Bundestag to ensure the law is legally sound.

The Federal Council has led to the Federal government The government has commented on the adopted draft law on the right to repair, but has not addressed potential liability risks in the automotive trade. With this law, the government aims to transpose the requirements of the EU directive on promoting the repair of goods into national law.

According to this proposal, manufacturers of certain technical products will be required to repair their devices free of charge or at a fair price if a defect occurs after purchase. The right to repair is intended to apply to several 
The period is valid for years, but the length of the period varies depending on the product.

"A fatal signal for consumers and businesses"

BillMore about Bill of the Federal Government read here.After the Federal Council refrained from clarifying potential liability risks in the car trade, the Central Association of the German Motor Vehicle Industry (ZDK) now the Bundestag to design the law in a way that is "legally sound, practical and consumer-friendly". "Now is the time for parliament to act," explains ZDK President Thomas Peckruhn.

It sends a "fatal signal to consumers and businesses" that the warnings from the Federal Council committees about serious liability risks in the used car trade were ignored in the plenary session. "The Bundestag must prevent a well-intentioned right to repair from becoming an incalculable liability risk for the automotive industry," demands Peckruhn.

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ZDK demands practical regulations

Further legislation requires practical regulations that strengthen repairs without creating new legal uncertainties. "If car dealerships and repair shops have to bear incalculable liability risks, it ultimately helps no one – neither the businesses nor the customers. Consumers need trust, legal certainty, and functioning repair options."

The ZDK (German Association of Motor Trades and Repairs) is therefore appealing to members of parliament to eliminate potential liability traps for car dealerships and repair shops in the further proceedings and to develop the right to repair in a balanced way. To this end, the ZDK intends to contact both politicians and automotive businesses directly to advocate for legally sound and business-friendly regulations.

Avoiding risks for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

The goal remains a solution that strengthens consumer protection, promotes repairs, and at the same time remains practical for automotive businesses. Peckruhn: "The right to repair must not become a risk for small and medium-sized enterprises. What's needed now is a law that protects consumers, enables repairs, and doesn't lead businesses into liability traps."

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