Law on “right to repair” advances. EU countries have two years to transpose new rules – Business

The European Parliament approved the new EU law on “right to repair”, which clarifies manufacturers’ obligations to repair goods and encourages consumers to extend the life cycle of a product through repair.

The new rules were overwhelmingly approved by MEPs this Tuesday, with 584 votes in favor, three votes against and 14 abstentions, during the last plenary session of the current legislature (2019-2024), which takes place in the French city of Strasbourg. Member States will have two years to transpose into national legislation.

“Consumers’ right to product repair will now become a reality. It will be easier and cheaper to repair instead of buying new and expensive objects. It is a significant achievement for Parliament and its commitment to empowering consumers in the fight against climate change”, commented after the vote the assembly’s rapporteur, German socialist deputy René Repasi.

The MEP stressed that “the new legislation extends legal guarantees for 12 months when opting for repair, provides better access to spare parts and ensures easier, cheaper and faster repairs”.

The new rules introduce a new right to repair, aim to limit waste and strengthen the repair sector, facilitating the repair of goods and making it more economically viable.

According to the new directive, manufacturers will have to provide spare parts and tools at a reasonable price and will be prohibited from using contractual clauses, hardware or software techniques that prevent repairand may not prevent the use of second-hand or 3D-printed spare parts by independent repair shops, nor refuse to repair a product solely for economic reasons or because it has been previously repaired by someone else.