Europe does a step forward towards a culture of riparazione, with a new right that could redefine our consumer choices. There Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament recently approved a proposal that aims to promote the repair of goods instead of replacement. This move not only aims to incentivize consumers to opt for repairs, but also opens up new opportunities for the refurbished sector.
Topics of this article:
Right to repair: towards ecology and savings
The proposal just approved aims to extend the concept of repair well beyond the legal warranty period of the products. The idea is to encourage a new culture, where consumers are motivated to repair goods instead of replacing them, thus helping to reduce environmental impact and promote a more sustainable economy. planet.
If the proposal is adopted, sellers will be required to offer the free repair of the products during the legal warranty period, unless repair is more expensive than replacement. To further incentivize repairs, it is expected an extension of the legal guarantee by one year for repaired products.
In the event that an asset cannot be repaired, the proposal provides for the possibility of offering refurbished products. This not only gives the good a second life but also offers an economical solution to consumers.
Access to repair resources
A key point of the proposal is lGuaranteed access to spare parts, information and tools needed for repair, for independent repairers, the businesses they sell reconditioned and end users. This will help make the repair process more transparent and accessible, allowing consumers to have a clear view of the repair conditions, including the costs and time required.
The proposal comes at a time when Europe is increasingly aware of the environmental and economic impact of premature disposal of assets. It is estimated that Buying new products instead of repairing them costs Europeans 12 billion euros a year, with a significant environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions, use of resources and waste production.
What will happen now
The draft proposal has been approved by the internal commission of the European Parliament, and a vote is awaited between 20 and the November 23. Once the European Council has also expressed its position, the text will be able to proceed towards the end of his journey.
