Why it matters

Free ICT Europe works to create an open, competitive and sustainable European ICT market in which users retain control over the technology they own and operate.

Our objectives are to promote repairability and long-term serviceability, remove unjustified barriers to independent maintenance, support the lawful reuse and resale of hardware and software, and improve transparency throughout the ICT lifecycle. We advocate for fair access to the parts, tools, technical information, security updates and interoperability needed to keep ICT equipment secure and functional for longer.

A competitive ICT aftermarket is essential to Europe’s digital resilience, strategic autonomy and circular economy. However, restrictive licensing models, limited access to diagnostic tools and spare parts, software locks, component pairing and unclear contractual terms can prevent users from choosing independent service providers or extending the life of their equipment.

Intellectual property rights must be protected, but they should not be used to justify disproportionate restrictions on repair, maintenance, interoperability or lawful secondary-market activity. A balanced framework can protect innovation while enabling competition, customer choice and local European service capacity.

Without effective competition and lifecycle transparency, Europe risks greater vendor dependency, higher costs, shorter equipment lifetimes and unnecessary electronic waste. By strengthening the independent ICT aftermarket, Europe can support skilled local employment, conserve critical resources and build a more resilient digital economy.

7 core Focus Areas

Click on any topic below to explore our key positions, policy frameworks, and market solutions

Maintain control over your ICT throughout its lifecycle. Choose new or refurbished equipment, independent service providers, and Third-Party Maintainers without unjustified technical, contractual, or commercial restrictions. Transparent contracts and lifecycle information help organisations understand their Total Cost of Ownership and avoid unnecessary vendor lock-in.

Support the lawful trade of used ICT equipment, components, and eligible software licences within the EEA. Clear information on ownership, origin, functionality, licence conditions, and regulatory compliance gives buyers and sellers greater confidence in the secondary market

Reuse keeps functional equipment and components in service for longer and sits above recycling in the EU waste hierarchy. Extending ICT lifecycles prevents waste, preserves embedded value, reduces demand for critical raw materials, and delays equipment entering the WEEE stream.

Independent maintainers and repairers need fair access to the spare parts, tools, diagnostic information, firmware, and security updates required to service covered ICT products. EU rules increasingly restrict unjustified hardware, software, and contractual barriers to repair, supporting the principles of the Right to Repair Directive.

A competitive secondary software market allows eligible perpetual software licences to be resold under conditions established by EU law and backed by the CJEU UsedSoft judgment. This reduces costs, extends the value of existing investments, and provides organisations with alternatives to restrictive licensing models.

Sustainable ICT goes beyond energy efficiency. It means extending product lifetimes, enabling repair and reuse, preserving resources, and reducing dependence on continuous replacement. A strong secondary market provides practical alternatives to premature obsolescence while supporting Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy.

Users and independent service providers need secure, proportionate access to essential product data, interfaces, documentation, and configuration information. Interoperability and data portability reduce vendor lock-in and allow equipment to be maintained, upgraded, and reused throughout its functional life.