Consumers in the EU have been hoping for this for a long time, now it finally seems to be happening: the right to repair was passed in the European Parliament on Thursday. This means that manufacturers of certain products such as refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and cell phones will have to repair them upon request in the future. These measures are particularly aimed at reducing waste and strengthening the repair sector by making product repairs more accessible and cost-effective.
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Headphones and furniture currently excluded
“With today’s agreement we are closer to introducing a consumer right to repair. In the future, it will be easier and cheaper to have products repaired instead of buying new, expensive products. This is a significant success for the European Parliament, which has been committed to empowering consumers in the fight against climate change,” said European Parliament negotiator René Repasi (SPD).
The new decision is intended to make repairs more attractive and uncomplicated, even after the legal guarantee has expired. Key measures in the agreement include:
The manufacturer’s commitment to repair common household appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners and smartphones, with the possibility of adding more products to the list over time. Some goods such as headphones and furniture are currently exempt The obligation for consumers to be informed of the manufacturer’s obligation to repair The option for consumers to borrow a device while their own is being repaired or alternatively to opt for a refurbished device decide Free online access to preliminary repair prices An additional one-year extension of the legal guarantee for repaired goods Revival of the repair market
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Manufacturers must not hinder repairs
The right to repair also means that manufacturers should make spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price. There was also an agreement in the European Parliament that manufacturers should not use contractual clauses, hardware or software techniques to hinder repairs. In particular, they should not hinder the use of used or 3D spare parts by independent workshops.
In order to make the repair process easier, there will be a separate European online platform with national branches. Through these platforms, consumers in all EU countries should find local repair workshops, sellers of refurbished goods, buyers of defective items or community-supported repair initiatives such as repair cafés.
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EU states should make repairs cheaper
Repairs should also become more affordable. Parliament agreed that each Member State must introduce at least one measure to promote repairs. These include, for example, repair vouchers and funds, information campaigns, repair courses or support for community-run repair rooms. In line with existing tax rules, there could also be a reduction in the VAT rate on repair services.
Once the directive is adopted by both the Council and Parliament and published in the EU’s Official Journal, member states have 24 months to transpose it into national law.