It is said a lot that Europe invents little and regulates a lot. The first is not true and we have some of the companies that They give life to sectors such as AI and semiconductors. The second yes, translating into the arrival of USB-C to iPhones or new Nintendo Switch with a battery that is easier to repair. In recent years, Europe has made advances to protect the consumer faced with something that manufacturers really like: planned obsolescence.
And now, with the Directive 2024/1799 about to come into play, it is interesting to see what what has been dubbed the EU directive means for us as consumers. right to repair.
Directive (EU) 2024/1799. This is its official name and it encompasses a set of common standards to promote the repair of property. It was formalized June 10, 2024 and modifies previously established European Union regulations and directives with the aim of extending the useful life of products, avoiding premature replacement and making repair more accessible and attractive to consumers.
In essence, it seeks to generate less waste or electronic waste, as well as promote the circular economy, but obviously it also seeks to make it easier for a user to repair a washing machine, for example, rather than choosing to buy a new one by throwing the old one away at the recycling center. In fact, it is established that, as long as the device is repairable and the cost is proportionate, it can be repaired outside the legal warranty period.
Calendar. The Directive formally came into force in June 2024, but as always in these cases, the different countries had a margin of time to adapt it to internal regulations. That time is coming to an end, since this June 31 the deadline for states to have prepared their proposals ends.
By July 31, 2027, a further step will have to be taken to build a European online platform that allows consumers to easily find repairers and sellers of refurbished devices. The goal is to end 35 million tons of annual waste in Europe, but… what about practice?
“Right to repair”. With this in mind, manufacturers will need to provide access to replacement parts, repair and maintenance information, as well as the software tools necessary to execute that repair. The key is that prices must be “reasonable” so that they do not dissuade the consumer from repairing the device and, furthermore, all this must be maintained during the warranty periods set by the countries. In the case of Spain, three years.
The thing doesn’t end there. If the user wants to repair the device, manufacturers are obliged to provide replacement goods for the duration of the repair or to offer reconditioned goods when repair is impossible. If it cannot be repaired due to a factory defect and not due to misuse, you will not be left without a ‘clunker’ or you will have to buy a new one, in short.
To do this, the Directive creates a ‘Form’ that repairers must provide free of charge to the consumer to inform about all this in the clearest and most understandable way possible. The type of repair, the price, the deadline, the guarantees on the repair and any other necessary terms are stipulated there, all of this in force for 30 calendar days for the user to make the decision. Furthermore, if the device is to be repaired, the warranty is extended by an additional year. And this is something that the manufacturer can do directly or by outsourcing the service.
Impact. As we say, the different countries of the Union have had to prepare this last year for a new framework with which they hope to make repairs easier or for manufacturers to do products that last longer. There are some that are irreparable, but in practice, the impact of this measure reaches to establish repairability requirements on devices such as household appliances, some electronic equipment such as smartphones, consoles, computers and that type of goods.
In case something goes wrong with the device and it is not due to misuse, you can assert your rights as a consumer. But of course, manufacturers will not be happy giving all the facilities, and this is where the importance of knowing those rights comes in.
My colleague Pepu already captured that in Xataka Móvil, a series of recommendations which are most useful in order to have a little more peace of mind for the future of our devices:
- Deadlines and documentation: In Spain, any new mobile phone and other devices have a three-year warranty by law. Always ask for proof or purchase invoice, save it in digital and physical format, and do not lose it, as it is essential to manage any claim.
- Who is responsible for: During the first two years, if the technical service refuses to repair your device arguing that you have used it incorrectly, do not settle for a simple inspection at first glance. Always require that they certify and demonstrate said misuse through a detailed written report.
- Accessories: Elements such as the cable, charger or headphones that come inside the box do not have coverage of less than one year because they are consumables. The regulations grant them exactly the same three years of warranty as the phone itself.
- Warranty extension: If your device breaks within the warranty period, arranging its repair will allow you to obtain one more year of added legal protection, in accordance with European directives.
- Record everything: If they refuse to assist you or try to send you quickly in technical service, don’t give up. Raise your case by contacting the manufacturer’s official customer service (either by phone or online) mentioning the relevant law. If none of that works, you ask for the complaint form to go to the Consumer authorities.
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