European automotive aftermarket faces regulatory changes this year
Two regulatory topics in the European automotive aftermarket are attracting significant attention this summer as new EU regulations come into force.
EU Right to Repair – What it means for automotive aftermarket
Although the EU’s new Right to Repair Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1799) is primarily aimed at consumer goods such as appliances and electronics, it reflects a broader EU policy direction that is highly relevant to the automotive aftermarket. The Directive entered into force in 2024, and EU Member States must apply national implementing laws from 31 July 2026.
For automotive companies, the key implications are indirect but significant:
-
Repair over replacement is becoming a central EU policy objective, supporting independent repair businesses and the circular economy.
-
Policymakers continue to emphasize availability of spare parts, transparent repair information, and extending product lifecycles.
-
The Directive reinforces the political momentum behind giving consumers and independent repairers greater access to repair services and information.
Why the aftermarket is paying attention
Trade associations such as the independent aftermarket are using the Directive as evidence that future legislation should also:
-
improve access to in-vehicle data,
-
prevent software from unnecessarily restricting repairs,
-
support remanufactured parts,
-
strengthen competition between franchised and independent workshops.
Many aftermarket suppliers see this as another step toward protecting the independent repair ecosystem as vehicles become increasingly software-defined.
SERMI – Implementation continues across Europe
SERMI (Security-Related Repair and Maintenance Information) is arguably the biggest operational regulatory change affecting independent workshops today.
Its purpose is to allow independent repairers to access manufacturers’ security-related information needed to repair modern vehicles while maintaining cybersecurity.
Examples include:
-
immobiliser programming
-
key coding
-
ECU replacement
-
anti-theft systems
-
security gateway access
-
certain ADAS functions
Where things stand
Implementation has continued across EU Member States during 2025–2026, with more workshops becoming certified.
To obtain access, businesses generally need:
-
company certification,
-
background checks,
-
authorised employees,
-
compliance with audit requirements.
Once approved, workshops can obtain manufacturer security credentials without relying solely on franchised dealer networks.
Current challenges with SERMI
The industry is still working through several practical issues:
-
Certification cost, particularly for smaller independent garages.
-
Different OEM implementation approaches, making access inconsistent between manufacturers.
-
Training requirements, as technicians increasingly need cybersecurity knowledge in addition to mechanical expertise.
-
Growing number of software-locked vehicle functions, especially in EVs and software-defined vehicles.
Many aftermarket organisations argue that while SERMI has improved access compared with the past, it should evolve into a more harmonised, simpler system across all OEMs.
What comes next
Looking ahead to 2027–2030, the biggest regulatory discussions in Europe are expected to focus on:
-
Access to in-vehicle data (IVD) for independent service providers.
-
Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and whether OEMs can control repair through software.
-
Cybersecurity regulations under the UNECE framework and how they interact with independent repair.
-
Remote diagnostics and over-the-air (OTA) updates.
-
The expanding circular economy agenda, including remanufacturing and reuse of automotive components.
From an aftermarket business perspective, many executives consider access to vehicle data and software to be a more consequential issue than parts availability. As vehicles become more connected and software-driven, the ability of independent repairers to access diagnostics, perform calibrations, and complete security-related repairs is likely to be one of the defining competitive issues for the European aftermarket over the next decade.