What is the “right to repair” approved by the European Parliament and failing electronics manufacturers

The European Union (EU) is moving forward on its plan to require electronics manufacturers to provide details on the useful life of products, in addition to making it easier to repair and reuse. In this context, the European Parliament approved the so-called “right of reparation”, which establishes a series of standards to which the industry must adhere and which go in the direction of planned and unreported obsolescence.

The approval was confirmed by 395 votes in favor, 94 against and 207 abstentions.

// The useful life of your cell phone: how long will it serve you?

With this decision, the EU responds to a long-standing demand on the old continent. According to a survey carried out in 2014 by this organization, 77% of Europeans believe that manufacturers should be legally obliged to facilitate repair and / or replacement of components.

Matthias Huisken, legal director of iFixit Europe, an organization that already offers an index similar to the one proposed by Parliament, believes that we are witnessing a great victory for consumers. “This vote will launch a wave of new repair policiesfrom repair scores in retail to product longevity disclosures, ”he noted.

The details

The approved text aims to establish mandatory labeling on devices (similar to energy) which provides “clear, immediately visible and easy to understand information for consumers on the estimated useful life and repairability of a product at the time of purchase ”.

The new rules aim to make repairs more accessible through the extension of general warranties, as well as replaced parts. In addition, they seek to facilitate buyers’ access to information regarding maintenance and possible repairs.

In this order, the proposal supports second-hand markets and sustainable production. On the other hand, in accordance with an order which has also been repeated in recent years, they request the adoption of a common pricing system to reduce electronic waste.

next The edge, the resolution also offers greater availability of repair instructions and spare parts for independent workshops as well as businesses and consumers.

France, flag carrier

The French country is the first to introduce these changes: it will do so from January 2021. Next, manufacturers must inform consumers of the possibility of repairing the products they buy. The label will include a scale from 1 to 10, which will represent this margin of repair. Initially, it will be used in laptops, smartphones, televisions, washing machines and lawn mowers.

The failure of modular devices

A few years ago, the industry itself created its own “enemy”. Companies like Google have urged the adoption of modular telephones, devices with interchangeable components according to the desire and need of the user.

Why do we say that this modality is in contradiction with the own interests of the manufacturers? A proposal like this, which Google called “Project Ara”, has reduced the margin for obsolescence and, in the meantime, extended the useful life of devices. For example, if a cell phone component breaks, it would be possible to change it without having to get rid of the equipment and buy a new one. Another example: if the user wanted to improve a component (for example the camera or have a battery with more autonomy), he could also buy only this spare part instead of a complete smartphone.

We won’t go into the reasons here, but these projects were not consolidated in the market: the crusade was too attractive (for users) to be true. From now on, the EU’s decision could bring some sort of revenge to those fighting against obsolescence.