Repair as a Business Model?

In any case, support for a ‘right to repair’ currently exceeds the actual repair rate: 89 per cent of consumers consider such a regulation important. However, according to figures from the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (VZBV), currently, only 23 per cent of broken appliances are being repaired. These figures, based on various surveys, highlight a clear discrepancy between public support and current practice. The main obstacles are cost, a lack of spare parts, and difficulty finding a suitable repair option. ^{(5, 6)}

Whether repairability is considered when making a purchase also depends on whether this information is communicated clearly and comprehensively. According to a recent study by the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), only 35 per cent of respondents considered it important in the case of smartphones, whereas for battery life, the figure was 85 per cent. However, in a hypothetical product comparison, 65 per cent of respondents opted for the device that was easier to repair. ⁽⁷⁾

Good design must therefore not only enable repair, but also communicate this clearly. Instead of glued-in batteries or highly specialised screws, easily disassembled modular systems should be used. They should also be made from recyclable, high-quality materials whose usage and transformation cycles can extend far into the future. Yet high-quality, durable household and electrical appliances are expensive, and cheap imports are gaining ground in a global context. Short product life cycles and significant income disparities make it difficult to implement sustainable repair models. Providing long-term software updates, spare parts and technical documentation for complex, connected products is becoming challenging for manufacturers.

The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) recognises the important role of skilled professionals: "We repair, restore, refurbish, preserve, modernise, and impart the necessary skills for the transformation process." The ZDH is committed to the principles of the circular economy, as well as the quality, durability and performance values inherent to the skilled trades. ⁽³⁾

But where exactly do the opportunities and risks for the craft sector lie? Professional repairs, including statutory guarantees, have always formed part of the core competencies of various trades. However, depending on the product type, technical requirements, economic conditions, and the level of social acceptance of repairs, these factors can vary. The abundance and falling prices of consumer goods and equipment are reducing our appreciation of these everyday items. Repairing them is often considered too expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, we must strengthen the culture of repair, which was originally an integral part of our economic, environmental and social systems, so that it can play a decisive role in the circular economy.

A study published in spring 2026 by the Institute for Business Management at the German Craft Institute (itb) and commissioned by the ZDH examines the structures, conditions, and support services required by repair trades. ⁽⁴⁾ From the perspective of the surveyed trade associations, there is a clear discrepancy between political expectations and business practice: while repairs are politically touted as a growth sector, businesses are grappling with a dearth of spare parts, slim margins, unpredictable working hours, and a dearth of skilled workers. Added to this are customers’ expectations; many still tend to compare repair costs with the price of a new item. Depending on the product group — ranging from shoes and windows to smartphones and technical devices — repairs entail very different technical, economic, and organisational requirements. Effective measures to promote repairs must take these differences into account. High hopes are therefore pinned on an online platform due to be established by 31 July 2027 to connect consumers, repair shops and manufacturers, and to make repair services more transparent and accessible.

In the circular economy, craft businesses are much more than just providers of repair services. They are the operational link between repairable products and their continued use. They can also feed experience gained in the workshop back into product development. Their economic opportunity lies in providing predictable, networked services. The environmental and economic benefits of the ‘right to repair’ are not solely decided in Brussels, but at the moment of repair. Is the diagnosis clear? Is the price predictable? Is the spare part available? Is the workshop accessible? The desire is there. The crucial factor is whether policy-making, legislation and the craft sector can facilitate this and make it a simple, economically viable decision.