BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Consumers will have a greater right to repair goods such as washing machines and smartphones, under a new European Union directive aimed at reducing waste from faulty or broken products that currently are simply thrown away and replaced.
Besides the environmental benefits, Brussels hopes the new directive, provisionally approved Thursday evening, will create jobs and reduce the bloc’s dependence on foreign raw materials.
Consumers will be able to choose between repair and replacement of defective products during the two-year legal warranty period.
Companies will have to repair a product for free during this period, if it is cheaper than replacing it, and continue to offer affordable repairs for five to ten years after sale, even if the product is no longer covered by warranty.
Manufacturers and distributors will also have to inform consumers of their right to have their products repaired and offer spare parts to independent repairers at reasonable prices.
The directive will apply to a range of everyday products, including mobile phones and tablets, washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, displays, vacuum cleaners, data storage products and welding equipment.
E-bike batteries should also be added to the list.
A new online platform will also allow consumers to find repair shops, sellers of refurbished products or buyers of defective products.
When the Right to Repair Directive comes into force, likely later this year, EU member states will have 24 months to comply.
(Report by Philip Blenkinsop, French version by Diana Mandiá)
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