On April 24, 2024, the European Union formally adopted a groundbreaking “Right to Repair” regulation aimed at encouraging consumers to repair rather than replace faulty appliances. This legislation includes a provision that if a product undergoes repairs during its warranty period, the warranty will automatically be extended by an additional year.
The EU previously mandated a minimum two-year warranty for products, but the new regulation extends this by stipulating that even after the warranty period, manufacturers must still provide repair services for common household appliances like smartphones, TVs, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners.
If a product is damaged during the warranty period, consumers can choose between replacing or repairing the item; opting for repair will now prolong the warranty by one year.
Companies are required to offer repair services at “reasonable” prices, ensuring that high costs do not deter consumers from opting for repairs. Additionally, manufacturers must provide necessary spare parts and tools and are prohibited from using contractual terms, hardware, or software technologies that hinder repairs.
According to the new rules, manufacturers cannot prevent independent repair shops from using 3D-printed parts or second-hand parts, nor can they refuse service due to economic reasons or if the product has been previously repaired by a third party.
Moreover, the EU plans to launch an online platform to assist consumers in finding local repair shops, second-hand product sellers, and purchasers for faulty items.
This regulation will come into effect upon approval by the council and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states will have two years to incorporate these rules into their national laws.
Despite these advancements, the “European Right to Repair Coalition” praised the new regulation as a step in the right direction but noted several limitations.
The regulation only applies to consumer products and does not cover equipment purchased for business or industrial use. Additionally, while manufacturers are obliged to provide spare parts and tools to third-party repair shops at “reasonable” prices, the coalition argued that this term lacks a clear definition, effectively leaving pricing up to manufacturers.
The coalition also criticized the regulation for not being comprehensive enough in prohibiting practices that obstruct repairs, such as Apple’s component pairing practices.
Exemptions are allowed for “legitimate and objective reasons,” such as protecting intellectual property, which the coalition described as “very vague” and potentially leaving a loophole for manufacturers to continue impeding third-party repairs.
The scope of the new regulation is considered narrow by the coalition, as it will not significantly affect the majority of new products entering the EU market. It primarily affects products that are already covered under existing EU laws, which require many household and electronic items to be repairable for 5 to 10 years post-purchase, including washers, dryers, dishwashers, fridges, TVs, electric bikes, scooters, welding machines, vacuum cleaners, smartphones, and tablets.
Meanwhile, progress on “Right to Repair” legislation is also being made in the United States. Although there is no federal law, over 20 states are developing their own legislation. California’s law will take effect in July this year, requiring manufacturers to provide repair materials for all electronic products and appliances priced at $50 or more.
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