Revolution coming for European citizens, with the introduction of the “right to repair” aimed at giving new life to washing machines, vacuum cleaners, cell phones, and other consumer goods that no longer work but are still repairable. This is reminded by Assoutenti, which emphasizes that by next July 31 the Member States, and therefore also Italy, must transpose the EU directive 2024/1799 aimed at encouraging the repair of consumer goods, reducing the premature disposal of repairable products, and combating the phenomenon of planned obsolescence.
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The new rules
According to the new European rules, manufacturers are required to repair, even outside the legal warranty period, a broken or defective but technically repairable good. A European form is provided that the repairer must give to the consumer before starting the intervention with all the information about the repair: type of interventions, time needed to complete the work, prices, any replacement product. The information contained in the form will be valid for 30 days, explains Assoutenti.
Free repair
According to the directive, the repair must be carried out free of charge or at a reasonable price and within a reasonable time frame, and in cases where the repair is impossible, the manufacturer can offer the consumer a refurbished good. If the manufacturer obliged to repair is established outside the EU, the obligation falls on its authorized representative in the EU or on the importer of the good. Manufacturers are then required to make spare parts and tools available at a reasonable price that does not discourage repair.
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Repair or replacement
If the defective good is still under warranty, in case of repair this is extended by one year: the consumers’ right to choose between repair and replacement of defective products within the seller’s liability period included in the warranty remains firm, but if the consumer chooses to repair the good, the seller’s liability period will be extended by 12 months from the moment the product is repaired – emphasizes Assoutenti, which precisely to raise consumer awareness on the issue of reuse has activated a dedicated laboratory in Genoa, soon to be extended to other cities as well.
The online platform
By July 31, 2027, a European online repair platform must also be created to allow consumers to find repairers, sellers of refurbished goods, buyers of defective goods for refurbishment purposes, or participatory repair initiatives. “Italy, through an implementing legislative decree scheme, has already taken action to amend the Consumer Code by transposing the European directive – explains president Gabriele Melluso – These are very important innovations that impact consumers, the environment, and producers: the disposal of repairable products generates 35 million tons of waste annually in Europe with significant social and environmental costs. The new rules not only reduce waste production but also combat the odious phenomenon of planned obsolescence, pushing manufacturers to make products that last longer over time.”
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