DIY: why repairable tools are changing the game for consumers

Drill that gives up, battery nowhere to be found, spare part out of stock : French DIYers know this frustration well. In 2026, the tools market is changing its logic. Under pressure from repairable DIY tools and stricter regulation on both safety and packaging, buying a drill or a jigsaw is no longer just a matter of comparing two prices on the shelf.

Repairability, a new purchasing criterion

The convergence between professional and consumer tools is accelerating : manufacturers are now betting on interchangeable batteries compatible across several generations of devices, and on spare parts available over the long term rather than simply replacing the faulty tool. The objective is clear : reassure a buyer who has become more attentive to value for money and to the actual lifespan of their equipment, rather than to the receipt alone. This movement continues the repair bonus which already encourages individuals to have items repaired rather than thrown away.

Safety : the standard that protects buyers

For portable power tools (drills, angle grinders, saws), the NF EN 62841 standard sets a mandatory safety baseline. Before any purchase, the CE marking remains the first reflex to check on the packaging or in the manual, a guarantee that the device has been assessed according to European requirements. This vigilance echoes the inspections recently carried out by the DGCCRF on DIY and gardening, which found worrying rates of non-compliance on certain products sold in France.

A new European framework on packaging

Another change, less visible but very real : European Regulation 2025/40, adopted on 19 December 2024, now governs packaging and packaging waste at the Union level. Stated objective : reduce the environmental impact of tool and hardware packaging, improve their recyclability and harmonize rules between Member States. Distributors of DIY sold online will have to progressively adapt their packaging to these new requirements.

A strengthened right of withdrawal for distance purchases

For tool purchases made online, another change comes into force during the year : from 19 June 2026, professionals selling at a distance must include on their site a feature allowing customers to exercise their right of withdrawal free of charge and easily. A useful point to know for anyone ordering a drill or a workbench on a merchant site without having been able to test it in-store.

What this means in practice for DIYers

• Before purchase : check the CE marking and, if possible, the announced availability of spare parts.
• On the battery : prefer ranges that are compatible across several tools from the same brand to limit duplicates.
• Online : the right of withdrawal must be accessible in one click from 19 June 2026.
• On the packaging : progressively strengthened recyclability by the time the European regulation is fully applied.

This development confirms an underlying trend already observed in the big comeback of clever small DIY projects : the French do DIY differently, with equipment designed to last rather than to be replaced at the first incident.

Frequently asked questions

Does the CE marking guarantee the quality of a tool ?

No, it only attests to its compliance with European safety requirements, not to its durability or performance.

Does the European regulation on packaging already apply ?

It entered into force on 19 December 2024, but its application is being phased in to give manufacturers time to adapt.

Can a tool purchased online still be returned after 19 June 2026 ?

Yes, the right of withdrawal remains guaranteed ; only the obligation for sellers to make this procedure easily accessible on their site changes.

Sources

DIY trends 2026, Guedo Outillage —
News, Fédération des Magasins de Bricolage

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy