The European Union (EU) has recently passed a new directive that guarantees the right to repair electronics. Swappie, an online platform that enables customers to swap out broken devices for refurbished ones, noted that today’s products are often designed to be difficult to disassemble, making it expensive to repair even small faults. This issue has been recognized by many smartphone owners and extends to other electronics as well.
The Right to Repair Directive aims to extend the life of products and reduce environmental impact by requiring manufacturers to offer consumers the opportunity to repair their products at a reasonable price both during the statutory fault liability period and afterwards if correction is possible. If repairs are done during the error liability period, the duration is extended by one year in most cases.
This directive applies not only to smartphones but also large household appliances such as tablets, monitors, servers, and other devices. Manufacturers must now offer spare parts and repair instructions and are prohibited from making repairs artificially difficult or using techniques that prevent repairs or drive up costs unnecessarily.
Apple’s control over iPhone repairs highlights the need for this directive, as manufacturers must now make repair processes more accessible and affordable. By encouraging repairability and extending the lifespan of products, the directive takes steps toward reducing waste and promoting environmental sustainability.
The legislative process for this directive has been relatively smooth compared to other environmental legislation, offering hope for future consumer rights and environmental sustainability. However, smaller electronics like chargers are currently excluded from this legislation. Supporting repair services through political measures such as repair vouchers can help stimulate demand for repairs and level the playing field in a competitive market.