Contact: Oriana Henry | secretariat [at] tacd.org
27 November 2025
A new report commissioned* by the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) highlights mounting concerns that international trade agreements are creating barriers to consumers’ right to repair the products they own. As everyday devices from smartphones to tractors become ever more reliant on software, restrictive clauses in free trade agreements are making it harder for consumers and independent repairers to access the tools and information they need for effective repairs.
The first-of-its-kind TACD report, authored by Anthony D Rosborough, details how digital trade rules, such as so-called “source code protection” provisions threaten to override ambitious right to repair laws now advancing in both the United States and European Union. These clauses can be invoked by manufacturers to deny access to vital software tools, undermining laws designed to promote sustainability, consumer choice, and more competitive repair markets.
In addition to publishing the report, TACD is releasing targeted recommendations, urging U.S. and EU policymakers to recalibrate digital trade policies. The coalition calls for removing source code rules in trade agreements, to ensure these do not obstruct urgently needed right to repair policies for consumers and the environment.
Isabelle Buscke, TACD Co-Chair (Head of Brussels office, vzbv), said:
“In today’s digital world, the right to repair goes hand in hand with the right to choose and to save resources. Trade rules should not give companies the power to lock consumers out from fixing the products they own”.
Susan Weinstock, TACD Co-Chair (President, Consumer Federation of America), added:
“When trade agreements undermine consumer rights, we risk more e-waste and higher costs for everyone. Policymakers must act now to ensure digital trade rules do not block the progress consumers deserve”.
About TACD:
The Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) has championed the consumer perspective in transatlantic decision making since 1998. It is our mission to ensure that EU and U.S. policy and regulatory dialogues are well-informed about the impacts of policy decisions on consumers and citizens and promotes their well-being and rights on both sides of the Atlantic.
The TACD network enables members to strengthen their advocacy and enforcement capacities by facilitating sharing of intelligence, best practices, and coordinated messaging to policy and regulatory audiences. The 75+ strong TACD membership has grown organically over the years and commands a broad expertise of consumer protection and policy, citizen rights, digital rights, and other specialist issues both in the EU and the U.S.
* Report commissioned by TACD, the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue. Research for this report was made possible with the support of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue & Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC USA | Canada | Global Dialogue