The European Parliament (EP) voted to approve rules related to repairing products on 21 November. At the plenary meeting, MEPs adopted a negotiating position on the planned "right to repair" by an overwhelming majority. The new rules are intended make it easier to repair defective goods, reduce waste and support the repair sector, the EP announced. Member states still have to determine and approve their position on the proposed "Directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods" in the Council of the EU.
In this week's plenary session, the MEPs voted to back rules requiring that sellers prioritise repair over replacement during the legal guarantee period if it is cheaper or equal to the cost of buying a new item. Exceptions should only apply in cases where repair is not feasible or is inconvenient for the consumer.
Even after the guarantee period has expired, consumers are to have a right to request a repair for products such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, smartphones and bicycles. MEPs also called for manufacturers to provide replacement devices on loan for the duration of the repair to make repairing more attractive than replacing. In the event that a product can no longer be repaired, a refurbished item can be offered instead. The EP also proposes extending the legal guarantee by one year once a product has been repaired.
Since high costs, problems accessing repair services, and design features preventing repair often discourage consumers from having a product repaired, the European Parliament wants to make it easier to access spare parts and repair information. It was also important to ensure that independent repairers, refurbishers and end-users could get the spare parts, information and tools they needed at a reasonable cost, the MEPs stated.
Online platforms are also to inform consumers where to find repair companies, repair cafés and places selling refurbished appliances, the Parliament reported. The MEPs also suggested offering vouchers and other financial incentives via national repair funds to make repairs more affordable and attractive.
"People want to expand the lifespan of their devices, but it is often too costly or difficult. We adopted a series of measures to encourage consumers to choose repair over replacement, with a special focus on supporting independent repairers and establishing financial incentives,” said German MEP René Repasi, who served as the European Parliament’s rapporteur for the project.
The European Commission had presented its proposal for a right for repair in March. The Parliament expects member states to adopt their position before the end of November, paving the way for trilogue negotiations to finalise the Directive's text to begin soon. An initial meeting was already planned for 7 December, the Parliament reported.
