In a move aimed at empowering consumers and promoting sustainability in the tech industry, the European Parliament has voted in favor of legislation that could extend the right-to-repair laws, offering a potential 12-month additional repair guarantee for future Apple and Android devices. This development is set to benefit users who prefer holding onto their devices for longer periods and find themselves facing challenges when their devices are no longer under warranty.
The legislation, which has received provisional approval from both the Council and Parliament, is a significant step toward strengthening right-to-repair laws in the European Union. The focus is not only on smartphones but also extends to various tech devices, marking a positive shift in favor of consumers who seek longevity and reliability in their gadgets.
One key provision of the legislation mandates that product sellers must extend the warranty period by an additional calendar year after the product undergoes repairs within the warranty period. There is also discussion about EU member states potentially extending this additional warranty period, potentially pushing the overall guarantee period from the current two years to three years.
The legislation aims to empower consumers by requiring manufacturers to provide detailed information about spare parts on their websites. Furthermore, these repair parts will be made available to all repair sector entities at reasonable prices, fostering a more competitive and consumer-friendly repair market. The EU is taking steps to prevent manufacturers from utilizing second-hand or 3D-printed spare parts sourced from independent repairers, ensuring the quality and reliability of repairs.
Additionally, the legislation emphasizes that manufacturers, including industry giants like Apple, must conduct repairs within a reasonable time and at a fair cost. Consumers will have the choice between repair and replacement, provided the product is still under warranty, offering flexibility in addressing issues with their devices.
To further support repairability, the legislation introduces a standardized repair information form that will be utilized by repairers, particularly smaller businesses. Consumers will receive this form without an additional fee, allowing repairers to charge reasonable fees for diagnostic services. This initiative aims to create a more transparent and consumer-friendly repair process.
Notably, the EU is also working on establishing an online repair platform that will list various repair services available in the region. This platform will cover services within the bloc as well as those in individual member states, providing consumers with accessible options for device repair.
The move towards strengthening right-to-repair laws is part of the EU’s broader effort to create a more sustainable and consumer-friendly tech industry. In recent years, the EU has played a role in improving the repairability of smartphones, evident in devices like the Galaxy S24, which received a high repairability score. While the legislation’s impact is gradually being felt across the industry, it reflects a positive shift towards fostering a culture of repairability and sustainability in the tech world.
As the legislation progresses, consumers can look forward to a future where their Apple and Android devices not only offer cutting-edge technology but also come with extended repair guarantees, promoting a more environmentally conscious and consumer-centric approach to technology use.