“The agreement on ‘right to repair’ is an important step in making sure that repairing products becomes an easy, affordable and attractive choice for consumers. This is key to Europe’s transition to a green and circular economy, creating jobs, reducing waste and dependencies, and complementing the ecodesign rules, which will make sure that products sold on the EU market are repairable.”
Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresigh
What is the main idea behind the “Right to Repair”?
The European Commission introduces a new consumer right for easy and attractive repairs. At its core, the right to repair is about giving consumers the freedom to repair, modify, and maintain the products they own instead of throwing them away. This includes access to repair manuals and replacement parts, as well as the ability to choose where and how their products are serviced or repaired.
In recent years, many manufacturers have implemented practices that restrict consumers’ ability to repair their own devices. This includes using proprietary parts, implementing software locks, and withholding repair information. The right to repair movement are implemented to challenge these practices and promote a more open and transparent approach to product repairability.
The known 3 R’s – Reuse, Reduce, Recycle – are extended by two things– Refurbish and Repair
Benefits for the consumer and the environment
The disposal of products that are actually still repairable and usable result in 35 million tons of waste, 30 million tons of resources and 261 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU every year. E waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world and only 15 – 20 % is recycled.
By making the repair much easier and cheaper than replacing the defective product, more people might choose this option and therefore contribute to a longer product life cycle. Many Europeans already feel a personal responsibility to act to limit climate change.
In conclusion, consumers can minimize their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable economy while the environment might benefit from the waste reduction and the resource savings.
Implications for Manufacturers
Even though it seems like a threat to many manufactures, it also presents opportunities for innovation and adaptation. Manufacturers that embrace repairability and transparency are likely to gain a competitive position in the market, attracting environmentally conscious consumers who value longevity and sustainability.
By shifting towards a more repair-friendly approach, manufacturers can not only meet the demands of consumers but also foster a culture of sustainability and responsibility. Rather than viewing repair as a punishment, manufacturers can see it as an opportunity to build trust, loyalty, and brand reputation.
By the way: It might be necessary to outsource those kind of after-sales activities to keep the focus on production and development. mt unirepair has many years of experience in building a decent repair & refurbishment process including reverse logistics and warranty. Sounds helpful, doesn’t it?
Sources:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1794
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