"Right to Repair" rules to be adopted in EU from 2021

The European Commission has ratified new "right to repair" regulations which will make the repair of domestic appliances easier. From 2021, the regulations require manufacturers to design longer-lasting machines and to make spare parts easily and readily available for up to ten years in a bid to reduce waste.

The new rules, which apply to washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, televisions and lighting, mark the first time that repairability requirements have been included in the EU's Ecodesign Framework, which mostly includes water and energy efficiency standards.

However, some campaigners say that the new rules do not go far enough as only professionals, not consumers themselves, are able to carry out the repairs. 

Owners are often unable to repair the machines themselves or find someone to do at an affordable price, so are forced to buy a replacement.

The legislation was prompted by complaints from consumers who were frustrated that their machines broke down just out of warranty.

The new rules also set out that these parts must be replaceable using common tools and without causing damage to the product. 

The EU estimates that the new measures, together with stricter energy labelling, will amount to a cut in CO2 emissions of over 46 million tonnes per year.

"Figures speak for themselves: these measures can save European households on average €150 per year and contribute to energy savings equal to the annual energy consumption of Denmark by 2030," said Jyrki Katainen, European Commission vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness.

"It is with concrete steps such as these that Europe as a whole is embracing the circular economy to the benefit of citizens, our environment and European businesses," added Katainen.

The "Right to Repair" rules should also see a reduction in domestic appliances ending up in landfill, as well as fewer being produced.

In the future, these rules could coerce manufacturers that want to sell to the EU to design products with repairability in mind. 

Not included in the EU right to repair rules are devices such as smartphones and laptops, whose irreplaceable batteries and performance-hampering software updates are most often accused of encouraging throwaway culture.

In the US, around 20 States are considering similar legislation. Also, under mounting consumer pressure, some tech companies are beginning to take action.

Apple, which lobbied consistently and repeatedly against right to repair legislation in the US, and even took legal action against unauthorised repair shops, announced in August that it would be rolling out an independent repair programme.

The new EU legislation will ensure a longer life for appliances, and some estimates say that €20-billion could be saved on European energy bills annually - around 5% of the bloc's total energy consumption.

Chloe Fayole of environmental group Ecos said: “From the US to Europe, people are demanding their right to repair things they own because they’re tired of products that are designed to break prematurely.”

Stephane Arditi of the European Environment Bureau struck a cautious tone: “When repair activities stay in the hands of a few firms, we’re missing an opportunity to make it more affordable and readily available."

“Small independent repairers can make a great contribution to the economy and our society. We need to help them do their job,” she continued.

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