The text adopted Tuesday allows consumers to request repairs from manufacturers for certain products such as smartphones, even after the warranty has expired.
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A “right to reparation”. MEPs voted for new rules aimed at encouraging consumers to repair defective smartphones or household appliances rather than throwing them away and buying others, Tuesday April 23. The text was adopted by a very large majority (584 votes for, three votes against). From now on, consumers will be able to request repairs from manufacturers for products such as smartphones, vacuum cleaners or other household appliances, even after the warranty has expired.
To reduce costs and make the repair market more competitive, the text provides for the establishment of online platforms to find repairers or sellers of reconditioned products as well as access to spare parts, tools and necessary information to repairs. Each Member State will have to implement at least one measure aimed at promoting repair, such as repair vouchers or courses to learn how to repair..
One more step “in the fight against climate change”
“It will be simpler and cheaper to opt for repair rather than buying new, more expensive products. This is an important achievement for Parliament and its commitment to getting consumers active in the fight against climate change.”welcomed German Social Democratic MEP René Repasi, rapporteur of the text.
Discarded repairable products represent around 35 million tonnes of waste each year in the European Union. However, according to a study by the European Commission, 77% of European citizens would prefer to repair their products rather than buy new ones. This would save them money: European consumers lose around 12 billion euros per year by buying a new good instead of repairing the old one.
