EU proposes rule allowing consumers to get used electronics repaired by producers for up to 10 years

The European Union wants to give consumers the right to have used products such as washing machines and televisions repaired by producers even after the expiry of the sales guarantee, in order to reduce waste and extend the lifespan goods.

The European Commission proposed rules on Wednesday that would require producers to offer repairs for a product between five and ten years after its sale, whether or not the legal warranty is still valid.

The rules would apply to fridges, vacuum cleaners, TVs, washing machines and other goods considered “repairable” under EU law. The EU is negotiating rules that would extend the requirement to smartphones and tablets.

European consumers and businesses regularly throw away goods that could be repaired, accumulate waste and throw away parts that could be recovered and reused.

A 2020 survey on behalf of the German Environment Agency found that the “first use” lifespan of products, including televisions and major appliances, has been shrinking in recent years.

Some products were not designed to be easily repaired, while for others it was cheaper to buy a new product than to repair an old one, according to the study. In many cases, consumers simply replaced still-functional products because they wanted a newer version.

According to EU rules, companies should repair a faulty product free of charge during the statutory two-year warranty period, if the cost of the repair is less than or equal to the replacement of the product.

After this date, companies must still offer repairs, free or paid. The EU also wants to launch an online service to help consumers find local repairers and believes competition with other repairers will keep costs down.

The European consumer organisation, BEUC, welcomed the proposal, but said it would have made more sense to extend the legal guarantee period for durable products like fridges.

The EU is negotiating a handful of policies designed to incentivize companies to make more sustainable products and give consumers clearer information about the environmental impact of what they consume.

A second law, proposed by Brussels on Wednesday, would require companies to verify claims that their products are “green” or “eco-friendly”.

EU countries and the European Parliament must negotiate and approve the two laws, a process that usually takes more than a year.

© Thomson Reuters 2023

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