Repair by the EU: Marburg discusses opportunities and challenges!

Repair by the EU: Marburg discusses opportunities and challenges!

On June 30, 2025, the “CIM Repair Dialogue” took place at the CIM Hub in Marburg. This event brought together local actors from repair cafés, city administration, Marburg business, universities and interested citizens to discuss the opportunities and challenges of the directive adopted by the EU to promote the circular economy. This directive is due to be transposed into national law from 2026, representing a significant shift in the repair culture and recycling mechanism. Loud uni-marburg.de The CIM Hub team was responsible for the organization together with the interdisciplinary CIM project group “Repair Help”.

The survey results that were collected in advance of the event clearly show that the repair offering in Marburg can be expanded, and the visibility of the repair cafés clearly leaves a lot to be desired. Based on these findings, it was suggested to organize a city-wide repair event, create a digital overview map of repair locations and distribute analog information materials such as postcards with locations. An integration of the overview map into the citizens’ GIS “Marburg in Maps” is also being considered. The highlight of the event was an improvisation performance by the Fast Forward Theater, which underlined the creative approach of the CIM Hub as a living laboratory for innovative ideas and social changes.

Repair law and circular economy

The urgency of the discussion is underpinned by the newly introduced EU right to repair. This law requires manufacturers to provide affordable and accessible repair options for consumer electronics. Loud greeninitiative.eco The law aims to reduce electronic waste, extend the lifespan of products and promote the circular economy. It requires manufacturers to offer post-warranty repairs and provide replacement parts for up to 10 years, which could significantly improve the overall sustainability of products.

However, obstacles in existing product design, such as the use of proprietary screws, limited access to replacement parts and software limitations, pose challenges to repairability. This leads to the planned obsolescence of many devices, further driving up e-waste. A shocking number: According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, 62 million tons of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2022, of which only 22.3% were properly recycled. Forecasts suggest that this number could rise to 82 million tonnes by 2030.

Political support for the circular economy

The discussion about circular economy has also become more important at the political level. The EU Environment Council, led by Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, has decided on its position on the EU Commission's circular economy action plan. This plan aims to achieve a transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy in the EU. Key measures include promoting product longevity and improving eco-design criteria to make it easier for consumers to access repair options. In addition to existing initiatives, the EU Commission is also calling for a review of relevant legal frameworks to support circular economy goals, including the introduction of extended producer responsibility schemes and investments in high-quality sorting and recycling facilities.

It is becoming clear that the combination of efficient recycling and access to repairs is crucial to establishing a truly circular economy. While Marburg is launching valuable initiatives to promote repairs at the local level with the event in the CIM Hub, binding regulations are also required across the EU in order to counter planned obsolescence and the growing amounts of electronic waste in the long term. Overall, there is a global trend towards a more sustainable, resource-saving economy that urgently needs support from politics, business and society.

Further information about the event and the activities of the CIM Hub can be found on the CIM Hub website: www.cim-hub.de.