A device, be it a phone, TV or washing machine, breaks down exactly after two years and it is cheaper to buy a new one than to repair it? A new EU law is set to change this.
The right to repair aims to help boost the circular economy in the EU and clear mountains of waste. According to European Commission estimates, around 35 million tons of waste is generated every year because products are discarded too soon instead of being repaired.
“We are making repairs during the statutory warranty period more attractive by extending the statutory warranty period by one year,” SPD MEP René Repassi told ARD.
Even after the warranty has expired, users should be able to carry out simple repairs whenever possible. This means that if you send in a damaged unit for repair even in the last week of the warranty, it will be extended by another year from the date of repair.
“We are also creating a claim for manufacturers to repair a product even after the warranty period has expired and we want all member states to encourage repairs in their territories,” Repassi said.
Even additional incentives aim to make repairs more attractive in the future by allowing sellers and merchants to lend a replacement device during the repair or offer a refurbished model if a product cannot be repaired again. In the future, new repairs can no longer be refused for products that have already been repaired.
The new rules affect heavy household appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, but also smartphones, tablets and bicycles. However, the list may be expanded in the coming years. Consumers who want to repair their broken vacuum cleaner will be able to do so more easily in independent repair shops in the future. In the future, manufacturers will need to have spare parts and instructions for the expected life of the product.
A European online platform will also be created, which should also show users the fastest route to the repair shop.
The new rules will also make it easier for citizens who are handy and prefer to repair their products themselves. Manufacturers are required to ensure that products are easy to repair, i.e. that there are no built-in obstacles in the software or hardware that make it difficult to open the devices with standard tools.
After the adoption of these rules, EU countries will have two years to incorporate the right to repair into their national laws.
