Right to repair: Strengthened consumer rights [EU Legislation in Progress]

Written by Anne Altmayer (2nd edition, updated on 16.11.2023).

On 30 March 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive on common rules promoting the repair of goods. The proposed directive aims to mitigate current patterns of business and consumption, marked by frequent and premature replacement and discarding of goods.

The proposal seeks to save costs for consumers and facilitate the development of a resource-efficient circular economy. The proposed directive would apply to the repair of goods within and outside the legal guarantee. In the European Parliament, the file has been referred to the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), with René Repasi (S&D, Germany) appointed as rapporteur.

In October 2023, IMCO adopted its report on the proposal, in which it suggests improving the attractiveness of repair by reducing the level of inconvenience for consumers, and strengthening the repair market. Furthermore, the report suggests that the legal guarantee period be extended by one year for repaired products. The report will be debated during the November II 2023 plenary session, with a view to setting Parliament’s position for trilogue negotiations with the Council.

Versions

• November 2023: Right to repair: Strengthened consumer rights (2nd edition)