330
submitted 9 months ago by Stamau123@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

European consumers will have the right to have common household appliances, including mobile phones, repaired, while EU countries will have to produce schemes to boost repair rates according to a new law adopted on Friday (2 February).

In 2023, the European Commission proposed a new law equipping consumers with a right to have their devices repaired – long after the warranty expired.

“With the agreement reached today, Europe makes a clear choice for repair instead of disposal,” said Alexia Bertrand, the Belgian consumer protection state secretary, who led the negotiations on behalf of EU countries. Parliament and EU countries still need to rubber-stamp the agreement – usually a formality.

European Parliament’s lead negotiator, the German centre-left politician René Repasi, said, “In the future, it will be easier and cheaper to repair products instead of buying new, expensive ones.”

Alongside other initiatives, establishing a right to repair was high on the agenda for the EU’s hemicycle. Behind closed doors, lawmakers hope that tangible positive impacts for consumers will endear them to the European public. The law was thus a priority for Parliament.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

I like this rule but it says a lot that they carved out a massive exception for themselves. It is for common household products. When is the last time you have bought any common household product from Europe? The margins are too small so the wealthy high cost of labor companies there concentrate on big ticket items architecture, infrastructure, cars, industrial etc. even if you argue cell phones and routers and computers etc it still doesn't really impact them. All those companies are based in Asia and the US.

My employer buys a metric shitton of stuff from Italy and Germany. None of which is common household products. So no I am not going to be able to repair my broken Siemens PLC or my broken ABB VFD.

[-] wahming 3 points 9 months ago

It's a right for consumers in Europe. Meaning it doesn't matter where it was manufactured, if you're an European buying from your neighbourhood electronics store you're covered.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

That wasn't my point, at all.

[-] wahming 2 points 9 months ago

Sorry, what was your point then? Not being passive aggressive, just confused.

[-] Pietson@kbin.social 1 points 9 months ago

Bought a washing machine from AEG (German company) 3 months ago. I also got a coffee grinder (can't remember the actual company) from a different German manufacturer for Christmas.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago

Good counter examples. Braun?

[-] Pietson@kbin.social 1 points 9 months ago

Nah it wasn't something I knew before. But my new electric toothbrush is by Phillips, so Dutch.

[-] afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world 1 points 9 months ago
[-] Pietson@kbin.social 2 points 9 months ago

Doubt it, but skimming the article I can't actually find anywhere that mentions this measure is only for companies based in Europe, let alone companies that are based and manufacture here.

this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
330 points (99.1% liked)

World News

39153 readers
1367 users here now

A community for discussing events around the World

Rules:

Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.


Lemmy World Partners

News !news@lemmy.world

Politics !politics@lemmy.world

World Politics !globalpolitics@lemmy.world


Recommendations

For Firefox users, there is media bias / propaganda / fact check plugin.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/media-bias-fact-check/

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS