The European Parliament voted in support of the recommendations of the European Union Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection on the 'right to repair', including a mandatory labeling system on consumer electronic products that provides explicit information on the level of repair and the estimated life of the product (iFixit)
The proposal will ask the European Union Commission to "develop and introduce mandatory labels that offer consumers clear, visible and easy-to-understand information on the estimated useful life of the product and the level of repair that the product allows at the time of purchase. ". This will include a repair score which should be prominently displayed at the point of sale. France could be the pioneer if it develops the regulation it has planned for the repair score of cell phones, laptops and other products starting in January 2021.
'By approving this report, the European Parliament is sending a clear message: Creating a universal labeling system that indicates durability and tackles premature obsolescence across the European Union is the way to go,' says David Cormand, French MEP. belonging to the group of the Greens.
According to a recent survey conducted in the European Union, 77 per cent of EU citizens would prefer to repair their devices rather than having to exchange them for a new one, and 79 per cent think that manufacturers should be legally required to facilitate the repair of their devices. electronic devices or allow the replacement of individual parts.
"We hope this will translate into decisive action for the creation of a mandatory repairability rating for all electrical and electronic products sold in the European Union, to help European citizens to buy with confidence," said Ugo Vallauri. Co-founded by Restart Project and European Campaign for the right to repair.
Apple has been repeatedly criticized for disproportionate repair prices, such as the $ 79 it costs to repair the HomePod mini (which costs $ 99 new) and for arbitrary limits on repairs, such as preventing iPhone 12 camera repairs. , not allowing access to the Apple System Setup app.
The UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee has released a report accusing Apple of creating a "waste culture" based on "short-lived products."
The European Union proposal risks giving life to a whole system of policies oriented towards ease of repair and the categorization of the level of repair that each product allows, but it remains to be seen how the European Commission will be able to create a system that connects producers and to enforce the mandate of its citizens.
There is a trend that is gaining momentum with respect to the useful life of computer products, which is called elongation, which aims to extend the useful life of devices by repairing and changing the parts that are needed.
