The provisional version of the right-to-repair directive has been agreed upon by the European Council and Parliament. It includes several important elements – manufacturers must offer an additional 12 months of warranty after a repair, provide spare parts at a reasonable price, and accept second-hand or 3D printer spare parts.
The EU will require manufacturers to complete necessary repairs within a reasonable timeframe, while still allowing consumers to choose between repair and replacement for defective products under warranty.
A standardized European repair information form will be made available free of charge, which will greatly assist small service shops in dealing with customers.
The EU will also establish a European online repair platform that will detail repair services across member countries.
While it will take some time for the new provisions to become actual law, this is a positive step forward.
