“Consistent Right to Repair Laws”
The European Commission has proposed legislation to ensure that European citizens have reliable right-to-repair rules for electronics. This new template could be the framework for such laws which are designed to make electronic repairs more accessible.
Adopting climate-neutrality by 2050 was a goal set out in both the European Commission’s Green Deal and by the European Council. The proposal is in line with these initiatives, however, it must be approved by both the European Council and Parliament before member states can start applying it.
“Over the last decades, replacement has often been prioritized over repair whenever products become defective and insufficient incentives have been given to consumers to repair their goods when the legal guarantee expires,” a press release stated. “The proposal will make it easier and more cost-effective for consumers to repair as opposed to replace goods.”
With more people seeking repair services, businesses in this sector are likely to see a boost in demand. This will also drive OEMs to make changes and create more sustainable solutions, according to a press release.
Details of the Proposal
EU law already lists a variety of household appliances that can be repaired, and with this new proposal, it would expand to include smartphones and tablets as well. There is also the potential for more items to be added to this list at a later date.
The proposal states that, when still under warranty, sellers must provide repair services to consumers, unless the repair is more costly than replacement.
For items that have exceeded the warranty period, consumers are granted the right to “claim repair to producers for products that are technically repairable under EU law, like a washing machine or a TV,” for up to 10 years after purchase.
Establishing accountability of producers is the key to guaranteeing that “consumers are equipped with someone to turn to for help should they choose to repair their products, and also incentivize manufacturers towards more sustainable methods of operations.” This was highlighted in a press release which further noted that OEMs must make sure independent repairers have access to both parts and necessary tools for repair purposes.
A Database of Repairers
The proposal necessitates producers to notify customers about what items they must fix themselves and has also established an online network that connects consumers with regional repairers and vendors of used goods.
“The platform will enable searches by location and quality standards, helping consumers find attractive offers and boosting visibility for repairers,” the press release noted.
The European Commission’s proposal also calls for the formation of an Information Form that could be requested from any repairer. This would offer customers more clarity with regards to repair terms and cost. It also suggests mandating a European quality standard for repairs so that customers can easily identify reliable professionals.
If this plan was to be put into action, the commission would enact a five-year period of data collection and evaluation to gauge the success of the system.
Member States Disagree
As the commission sought feedback from members of the public, it conducted a survey. Results revealed that while half of the stakeholders felt voluntary commitments encouraging repair were effective, most environmental groups and half of consumer organizations did not agree, seeing these measures as ineffective.
The poll determined that though many approved of the concept, the majority disagreed with implementing the requirement to repair onto producers.
In response to the proposal, the Right to Repair campaign in Europe released a statement expressing its appreciation for taking a step forward, but noting that it still demonstrates the “EU’s lack of ambition to make reparability an affordable reality.”
“Once again, the opportunity to make the Right to Repair universal is missed,” the statement said.
“Requiring manufacturers to provide a repair service does not mean that it will be affordable, and the proposed legislation doesn’t cover the cost of spare parts either,” the statement noted. “For customers to feel confident in repairing, it should be made accessible, affordable and mainstream.”
According to a recent statement with the press, Cristina Ganapini, coordinator of the Right to Repair Europe coalition, said that “proposed concrete obligations to repair are too narrow to bring on the repair revolution that we need.”
“We call on the EU Parliament and Council to step up the ambition of this first right to repair proposal in the EU,” Ganapini stated.
