The logic of buy, use and throw away will soon be a thing of the past. Or at least that’s what the European Union aspires to. Yesterday, the Eurochamber gave the definitive approval, with an overwhelming majority of 585 votes in favor, to a law enshrining the right of consumers to repair appliances even if the warranty period has expired.
The new rule ensures that manufacturers provide cost-effective repair services and inform consumers of their rights, to avoid paying for a new product. So far, in many cases the repair is so expensive or difficult that many users find it cheaper to buy a new product.
With the new rules, the legal guarantee will continue to be two years, but it can be extended by another 12 months, with the aim of encouraging consumers to choose repair before a purchase. As soon as the warranty has expired, the manufacturer will still be obliged to repair products at a reasonable price. In particular, the repair of household appliances will be facilitated, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers and dryers, but also batteries and personal computers, even smartphones. The list of products to repair may be expanded in the future. In addition, consumers will be able to order replacement devices while products are being repaired.
To facilitate the repair, an online platform will be created to put consumers in touch with workshops based on their place of residence and that have high quality standards – for this, a European-wide standard for these repair services will be developed – and enough variety so that there can be freedom of choice.
The regulation aims to strengthen the repair market in the EU and reduce costs for consumers. Manufacturers must make spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price and will be prohibited from using contractual clauses that prevent repairs. Nor will they be able to prevent the use of second-hand spare parts or refuse to repair a product solely for economic reasons or because it has previously been repaired by others. With the aim of making repairs more affordable, each member state must apply at least one measure to promote the repair of appliances, such as vouchers, information campaigns or offering repair courses.
“Repairing will be easier and cheaper than buying new and expensive items. This is a significant milestone for the Parliament”, defended René Repasi, German Social Democrat MEP and Eurochamber negotiator.
According to the European Commission’s calculations, the new rules could significantly reduce the huge volume of rejected products that could actually have been repaired. Specifically, 35 million tons of waste and 261 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions can be put to an end. It is expected that the member states will make the final approval in the coming days and that the regulations will enter into force in a maximum of two years.
At the same time, in the same vein, MEPs also supported a series of new rules to extend the life of products, as well as improve their recycling, especially in materials such as aluminum or steel, but also the textiles In the latter, it will be required how many pieces of clothing are discarded annually and the prohibition to destroy clothing or footwear that has not been sold.
The textile industry is, according to calculations by the European Commission, the fourth most polluting, and the aim is to prevent a large amount of clothing from being destroyed or incinerated. Brussels will have to introduce specific rules for how textile products should be treated in the next legislature. In addition, it will also include a “digital passport” that will contain accurate information about a product, such as its origin and manufacturing process.
