Last year iFixit explained how companies restrict smartphone repairs. Mobile or not, this is getting pretty serious. The reasons are many: first of all the chip crisis, which means that in recent years we have found fewer and fewer new devices. Secondly, the price: also thanks to this crisis, i prices have soared and the breakdown of a device necessarily corresponds to the purchase of a new one. There Community European however he has decided (finally) to express himself. Let's see what she said.
How will the right to repair devices work in Europe? Here are the guidelines proposed yesterday by the European Community
"More durable and easily repairable products". This is what the European Community basically said in its Press release disclosed yesterday. The new right to repair should include products of long duration which can be repaired. In addition to this, however, the EC proposes one top labeling andextension of the warranty.
MEPs demand that products be designed to last longer, to be repaired safely and that their components are easily removable. In this regard, we recall the proposal of some time ago that, again according to the European Community, we should go back to smartphone with removable batteries. In addition, MEPs argue that an adequate right to repair would give industry and consumers free access to information regarding repair and maintenance.
As for digital devices, the application updates they should be reversible and not lead to a decrease in performance, for example in smartphones. The ambitious project of Germany for double the updates in smartphones. Furthermore, updates should be made available for a minimum period of time and consumers should be completely informed, at the time of purchase, on this availability.
The requests from MEPs also include:
- consumer incentives for repair a product rather than replace it, such as extending warranties or providing a replacement device for the duration of the repair
- harmonized rules on consumer information, including "repair scores“, Estimated lifespan, spare parts, repair services and availability of software updates
- intelligent labeling tools such as QR codes
- a joint liability mechanism between producer and seller in case of non-conformity of products
- durability and repair requirements included in a future directive on design environment friendly
Cover photo | Kilian Seiler on Unsplash
