On 23 April the European Parliament approved the directive on the right to repair. The rule provides clarification on the obligation of manufacturers to repair goods. Thus encouraging consumers to extend the life cycle of a product. With the directive, manufacturers of consumer products are obliged to provide timely and economical repair services. And to inform consumers of the possibility. For definitive approval, a formal passage to the European Council is still missing. Goods under legal guarantee will benefit from an extension of one year. Once expired, the manufacturer will still be required to intervene on the most common domestic products.
Washing machines, vacuum cleaners, smartphones
The most common examples of goods that benefit from the right to repair are washing machines, vacuum cleaners, smartphones. Consumers are provided the option to borrow a device while theirs is being repaired. Or opt for a refurbished appliance. But the directive applies to “any tangible movable property”. And it is part of the broader Green Deal strategy, i.e. the package of initiatives to make the economy more sustainable. In fact, the premature disposal of goods produces 261 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions and consumes 30 million tonnes of resources, also generating 35 million tonnes of waste per year. A European information form will be offered to consumers to help them evaluate and compare repair services.
The online platform
Also on the way is a European online platform with national sections to find affiliated shops and sellers of refurbished goods. Also according to the directive «manufacturers will have to supply spare parts and tools at a reasonable price and will not be able to resort to contractual clauses, hardware or software techniques that hinder repairs. In particular, they will not be able to prevent the use of second-hand or 3D printed spare parts by independent repairers, nor will they be able to refuse to repair a product solely for economic reasons or because it has previously been repaired by someone else.”
Reasonable cost
The directive requires producers to provide assistance at a ‘reasonable cost’. That is, the cost of the repair must be more convenient than a new purchase. For spare parts, the ban on using non-original parts should be lifted. Also opening up to second-hand or 3D printed components. Finally, each member country will have to implement at least one strategy to promote repairs, such as vouchers or repair funds, information campaigns, repair courses or support for community-run repair spaces.
