European Parliament and member states reach provisional agreement on 'right to repair'
The European Council and Parliament have agreed on the "right to repair" directive that will make it easier for consumers to get their appliances repaired.
According to European research, Europeans throw away 30 million tonnes of repairable products every year. To prolong the life of equipment and reduce waste, the EU and its member states want to make repair services more accessible, quick, transparent and attractive.
The agreement, which still needs to be formally approved by both institutions, applies to all products for which the EU sets repairability requirements, such as dishwashers, refrigerators or vacuum cleaners. It is a provisional list that can be extended at any time.
Reasonable time and cost
The text obliges manufacturers to repair products within a reasonable time and at a reasonable cost or free of charge. However, consumers can also replace the product within the warranty period. The 12-month warranty period is extended if the consumer opts for a repair.
It also obliges manufacturers to provide information on spare parts on their website and to make these parts available to all repairers at a reasonable price. There will also be a European information form to provide consumers with crucial information on repair services, although this will remain optional.
"With this agreement, Europe is making a clear choice for repair instead of disposal"
Finally, the directive proposes the creation of a European online repair platform where consumers can find information on repair services at the national and EU levels.
"With this agreement, Europe is making a clear choice for repair instead of disposal," said Alexia Bertrand, Belgium's secretary of state for Consumer Protection, in a press release. "By facilitating repair, we not only give new life to our products but also create quality jobs, reduce our waste, limit our dependence on foreign raw materials and protect our environment."
© PHOTO EASY FOTOSTOCK
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