The European Parliament this week adopted its position on a stronger “right to repair” for consumers, with 590 votes in favour, 15 against, and 15 abstentions, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The EU legislature said on its website that the proposal aimed to encourage more sustainable consumption, by making it easier to repair defective goods, reducing waste and supporting the repair sector.
Within the legal guarantee period, sellers would be required to prioritise repair if it is cheaper or equal in cost to replacing a good, unless the repair is not feasible or inconvenient for the consumer, according to the European Parliament.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during a voting session in Strasbourg, France, earlier this year. Photo: EPA/JULIEN WARNAND
Consumers will have a right to request repair for products such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, smartphones and bicycles after the guarantee has expired, the EU legislature said.
MEP René Repasi, the rapporteur for the proposal, said: “People want to expand the lifespan of their devices, but it is often too costly or difficult. We adopted a series of measures to encourage consumers to choose repair over replacement, with a special focus on supporting independent repairers and establishing financial incentives."
He added that the measure would "pave the way for a truly circular European economy."
