The European Parliament adopted by 509 votes to 3, with 13 abstentions, a resolution on the right to repair.
The resolution emphasised that 79 % of EU citizens think that manufacturers should be required to make it easier to repair digital devices or replace their individual parts. 77 % of them would rather repair their devices than replace them.
Parliament stressed on several occasions the importance of granting consumers a right to repair as a key pillar of the Circular Economy agenda in the framework of the European Green Deal, in that it would foster a more efficient and sustainable use of resources, prevent and reduce waste, notably electronic waste, and encourage extended use and reuse of products and the sharing economy.
Granting consumers the right to repair would be instrumental in advancing Europe’s industrial transition and strengthening its resilience and open strategic autonomy.
Parliament emphasised that the initiative on a right to repair must be proportionate, evidence-based and cost-efficient, and balance the principles of sustainability, consumer protection and a highly competitive social market economy in order for all relevant stakeholders to embrace the opportunities inherent to the green transition.
Designing products that last longer and can be repaired
The resolution called on the Commission to require manufacturers to design their products in such a manner that they last longer, can be safely repaired and their parts can be easily accessed and removed.
It also stressed the need to ensure better access by end-users and independent repair service providers to spare parts and instruction manuals within a reasonable time and at a reasonable cost, for a period corresponding to the expected lifespan of the product.
Improving customer information
The resolution stated that improving consumer information on the reparability of products is key to enabling consumers to play a more active role in the circular economy. Consumers should receive reliable, clear and easily understandable information at the point of sale on the durability and repairability of a product, to help them compare and identify the most sustainable products available on the market.
The Commission should:
- propose harmonised rules for such consumer information, including, among other information, repair scores, information on estimated lifespan, information on spare parts, information on repair services and the period during which software updates would be available in the case of goods with digital elements, while keeping in mind the imperatives of consumer safety;
- make sure that product information is based on standardised measurements, for example for durability, and to initiate the development of standards where these do not exist;
- assess proposing requirements for manufacturers to set up smart labelling means such as QR codes and digital product passports in all new product legislation and in the revision of the Ecodesign Directive.
Member States and the Commission should also develop financial incentives for repair services to make repairs convenient and attractive to consumers.
Strengthening consumer rights and guarantees
The resolution emphasised that European consumers may have their goods repaired or digital content and services brought into conformity under the Sale of Goods Directive and the Digital Content Directive. The Commission is asked to propose in its initiative on a right to repair a range of measures with the aim of promoting and encouraging consumers, producers and traders to opt for repair over replacement.
Lastly, Parliament considered that an extended guarantee might provide an incentive to choose repair over replacement.