EU's new right-to-repair rules take effect, targeting 35 million tonnes of waste
New EU-wide product repair rules come into force
New EU regulations came into force on Monday, giving consumers the right to request repairs for technically repairable products like washing machines, phones, and tablets, even after the warranty expires. Manufacturers must repair items for free or at a reasonable price within a reasonable time, and provide spare parts and repair information. The rules aim to cut the 35 million tonnes of waste from premature disposal, and are expected to generate €4.8 billion in EU growth. Ireland's RepairMyStuff.ie will serve as the national repair platform.
These regulations will make it easier for consumers to choose repair over replacement, while also creating opportunities for Irish businesses operating in the repair and refurbishment sector.
- apatheticonion
I would like this to be extended to software.
If I buy an Android phone, I should be able to maintain/update the operating system.
If I buy a MacBook, I should be able to maintain or change the operating system.
If I buy a TV, smart watch, microwave - I should be able to maintain their software.
The only thing prohibiting this is the fact that drivers are obfuscated and/or hardware schematics sufficient to produce drivers are not provided.
IMO, if the EU wants any technical sovereignty, they'd address this as I don't see European companies producing a competitor to the MacBook - I do however see European companies being capable of creating a competing operating system (or Linux) to install on a MacBook, but only if Apple is compelled to allow them.
The same goes for smartphones, cars, and any digital device
- ShadowOfThePit
> According to the European Commission, the new rules are expected to bring €4.8 billion in growth and investment within the EU.
The source of this number seems to come from here, on page 73:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELE...
Interestingly, the number is over a span of 15 years, and is only the calculated "Growth and investment".
Other numbers are "Savings in production costs" at €15.6 billion, and "Consumer savings" at 25€ per consumer per year for an impressive total of €176.5 billion.
It also lists "Business adjustment costs" at €8.1 billion, "Business administrative costs" at just €69.8 million and "Implementation and enforcement" at €105.5 million.
I wonder why "Growth and investment" was chosed as the number to use. Maybe to keep emphasising their gist of "the EU is the future for sustainable growth"?
Also, here are the announcements by the Commission:
https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/right-repai...
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/right-to-repair-...
- jhoechtl
I would like to see small appliances inbuilt batteries (mostly Li-Ion based) be prohibted. It contributes to device obsolescence and is a security risk --> burning waste dumps.
- kleiba2
This is more like a "right to have repaired" than a "right to repair", unfortunately.
- troupo
> including a repair obligation for manufacturers of certain products
Unfortunately regulations often don't go far enough.
I have a ~10 year old iPad Pro in perfect working condition. I can basically do nothing with it, and increasingly it can no longer even browse the internet because Safari is so outdated on it.
So it will be waste.
See similar story about Amazon bricking old Kindles: https://www.techradar.com/tablets/ereaders/amazon-bricking-c...
But, this regulation is still a tiny step in the right direction.
- expedition32
I live in a rich European country. This is not Shenzhen. The, very scarce, technically inclined people who know how to repair a vacuum cleaner or electronic toothbrush can get a real job with an hourly rate that makes repairs economically unfeasible.
Repair cafes are nice hobby projects for pensionados but it is not going to move the needle.
- jeremiahlee
Great, now require it for software.
- braiamp
Yet another baffling comment section, but in this case the excuse doesn't work [0].
In a forum full of "tech guys" that like "tech solutions" the number of comments that are against being allowed to thinker and repair their own devices is above zero.... we really need to drown out those voices, they represent a very shameful set of individuals that taint what (I would like to think) we like and prefer