Update: Council Approves Right-to-Repair Directive
The Council of the European Union has officially adopted the Right-to-Repair (R2R) directive. Member states will then have 24 months to incorporate the directive into national law.
The Council of the European Union has officially adopted the Right-to-Repair (R2R) directive, a significant step towards promoting the repair of broken or defective goods. This directive will simplify the process for consumers to opt for repairs instead of replacements, making repair services more accessible and appealing.
Key Points of the Directive:
- Consumer Rights: The directive ensures that consumers can have defective products repaired more easily, cheaply, and quickly. It extends the legal guarantee by 12 months if a consumer chooses repair over replacement.
- Manufacturer Incentives: Manufacturers are encouraged to produce durable and repairable products. This is expected to boost the creation of repairable, reusable, and recyclable products.
- Economic Benefits: The directive aims to make repairing a more attractive economic activity, potentially creating high-quality jobs within Europe.
- Support Tools:
– Mandatory repair of products that are technically repairable under EU law. – A voluntary repair form providing clear information about repair processes, including deadlines and costs. – A European online platform to help consumers easily find repair services.
Future Provisions:
The list of repairable products will expand as new reparability requirements are introduced.
Next Steps:
Following the Council’s approval, the directive will be signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the Council. It will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and take effect 20 days after publication. Member states will then have 24 months to incorporate the directive into national law.
Background:
This directive is part of the New Consumer Agenda and the Circular Economy Action Plan. It complements other EU initiatives, such as the ESPR and the directive on empowering consumers for the green transition.