The European Union has approved new rules on the so-called Right to Repair, which aim to simplify and reduce the cost of repairing broken appliances, such as refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and toasters. The goal is to reduce the premature replacement of devices and force manufacturers to facilitate access to parts, technical manuals and repair services.
Among the main measures, manufacturers will have to design appliances to be easier to disassemble and repair, favouring screws over glue or components that require specific tools. Software blocks that prevent the use of compatible parts or intervention by independent technicians will also be limited.
The new rules also establish that spare parts and repair manuals should be available for several years after the product is placed on the market, potentially reaching a decade in certain cases. When a consumer opts for repair instead of replacement during the warranty period, they may benefit from an additional 12-month extension on that warranty.
The EU estimates that consumer goods discarded before the end of their useful life generate tens of millions of tonnes of waste per year. The rules will be applied progressively through the Right to Repair Directive and complementary ecodesign standards, with different obligations depending on the type of product.
