What is the right to repair?
The new European Union directive provides that customers have the right to have faulty devices repaired. In the event that a given product is repairable, entitled persons have the right to request the possibility of repair, even after the statutory warranty period has expired. Manufacturers are required to make publicly available information on repair services and costs, as well as to ensure an adequate number of available spare parts. In addition, they must provide information on the possibility of contacting independent service providers. The regulation mainly concerns household appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners and smartphones. This list may be extended by the European Commission.
When does the right to repair come into effect?
The European Parliament has already taken the most important step, and now the EU member states must still give their consent. While this formality is awaited, once the member states have given their consent, the legal text will be published in the EU Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days later. SPD MEP René Repasi predicts this will happen before the European Parliament elections in June. Once in force, the member states will have two years to implement the directive's requirements into their national law.
How can consumers exercise their right to repair?
In the future, consumers should be able to contact the manufacturer directly for repairs, even if the device purchased comes from a retailer. In the event that the manufacturer is no longer available, consumers can also request compensation from the retailer. This will be particularly important in the context of online trading.
In addition, a pan-European repair platform is planned to help consumers find the right repair shop. These services should also be available to small and medium-sized businesses that use easy-to-use search tools.
Is there a warranty on repaired products?
Yes, a two-year legal guarantee generally applies when purchasing electrical appliances in Germany. However, other EU countries may have different regulations. In order to ensure that repairs are cost-effective, the new regulation will introduce an additional guarantee of one year from the date of repair, valid throughout the European Union.
What does the EU want to achieve with the new law?
In light of the new regulations, repairing faulty equipment should become more cost-effective than buying new. The European Union expects that the new obligations imposed on manufacturers will contribute to reducing the overall costs of repairs by introducing competition between workshops and reducing the prices of spare parts.
In addition, the goal is to strengthen independent workshops. Currently, large manufacturers often make it difficult for smaller companies to access the tools and parts necessary to repair devices. For example, they do not provide special keys or passwords, nor do they sell spare parts to independent workshops. The new regulation is intended to prevent this.
The European Union is also counting on a positive impact on the environment, expecting a reduction in the amount of products thrown away due to minor defects. The European Commission estimates that over 15 years it is possible to save 18.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 1.8 million tons of resources. Additionally, it could reduce waste by as much as three million tons.
