Repairability at the forefront an exploration of Turkish tech company strategies on the EU Right to Repair Directive

This thesis aims to explore the preparedness of Turkish companies concerning the 'repairability' of their products within the framework of the EU Right to Repair Directive. The specific focus was on examining the current actions and strategies of companies regarding the increasing amount of electronic waste globally and the demand from customers for longer-lasting devices. For this purpose, a case study approach was used, conducting interviews with representatives from three companies in the consumer electronics and white goods sectors in Türkiye regarding the EU Right to Repair Directive. Additional insights were obtained from various company reports, sector documents, and the limited amount of research on the topic. The analysis of the dataset reveals a general inclination among the companies to comply with new legislative efforts. Measures taken regarding the repairability of products also serve as significant indicators of the direction these companies are taking. The findings also hint at some tensions challenging Turkish companies in adopting repairability standards. The results of this research reveal possible future scenarios and various implications. The conclusions drawn from this study have the potential to provide a roadmap concerning the measures taken by consumer electronics companies in Türkiye regarding the 'Right to Repair.' Keywords: Repairability Index, Consumer Electronics, Right to Repair, Electronic Waste