The European Parliament voted on Tuesday for rules which strengthen the right to repair devices, with real benefits for consumers, particularly after the end of the legal guarantee.
It was by a very large majority (584 votes in favor, only 3 votes against and 14 abstentions) that European deputies adopted, on Tuesday April 23, 2024, the directive on consumers’ “right to repair”. It can sometimes be difficult and particularly expensive to have a device repaired once the legal guarantee of conformity (2 years) has expired. The European Union will now encourage manufacturers to make efforts.
Europe extends the legal warranty by an additional year for each repaired device
“ Consumers’ right to repair products will now become a reality “. These are the words spoken by René Repasi, German vice-president, German rapporteur of the European directive. With the latter, it will be “ easier and cheaper to repair » your devices than buying new ones. Manufacturers must, in particular, offer spare parts or tools at a reasonable price.
Firstly, the new rules require manufacturers to provide users with repair services that are both quick and cheaper. But they also affect the legal guarantee which, as you know, is set at two years from the purchase of the device, whether new or used.
From now on, each repaired device will benefit from a legal warranty extension of one additional year. A real plus for consumers who, for example, were still hesitating between repair and the purchase of a new television or oven, and who ultimately decided in favor of the latter option. But that’s not all !
Smartphones are among the devices protected by the new European directive
You are probably wondering what to do once you have a device repaired after the legal warranty has expired. The European directive is very clear: the manufacturer must be able to repair technically repairable products, such as smartphones, vacuum cleaners or even washing machines. Parliament promises to be ready to expand the list of product categories over time.
During the repair time, consumers will be able to borrow a device until they can collect their device from the repairer. And in the event that it cannot be repaired, users can be given a refurbished device.
Electronic device manufacturers will no longer have to hinder repairs
Management also plans to make available an information form, offered to consumers to help them evaluate and compare the different repair services, such as the price and duration of repair. A European platform will be created to this end to help you more easily find repairers near you.
As far as manufacturers are concerned, their obligations do not stop there, since they must in no case hinder repairs (notably through contractual clauses) nor prevent independent repairers from using second-hand spare parts. or 3D printed.
After this almost unanimous vote by MEPs, the Council will have to approve it, which should be a formality, before the directive is published in the Official Journal of the EU. Member States will then have two years to transpose it into national law. The definitive applicability of the text could occur by the end of 2026.
Source : European Parliament
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