UK gets ‘Right To Repair’ law this summer.

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Summary

Ministers have confirmed that from the summer consumers will have a right to repair on goods they buy.

They are keeping a promise to implement EU rules aimed at cutting energy and bills – and reducing the need for new materials. 

 

Quotes

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 Many consumers have complained that goods don’t last long enough, then can’t be fixed in the home.

Manufacturers will be legally obliged to make spare parts for products available to consumers for the first time – a new legal right for repairs.

The aim of the new rules is to extend the lifespan of products by up to 10 years, and officials estimate that higher energy efficiency standards will save consumers an average of £75 a year on bills over their lifetimes.

'Protecting the environment'

The new rules will be estimated to reduce the 1.5 million tonnes of electrical waste the UK generates a year and to contribute to reducing carbon emissions overall. 

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Our plans to tighten product standards will ensure more electrical goods can be fixed rather than thrown on the scrap heap - putting more money back in the pockets of consumers whilst protecting the environment.

 

My thoughts

It is not much of a change here TBH. In most cases there is already legislation in place, but this takes it a step further thanks to the EU and us wanting to be in line with their regulations. It is not clear from the article what or if there will be exceptions to what products are covered. Either way, it will hopefully make spared and documentation easier to come by worldwide.

 

Sources

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56340077

[AldiPrayogi]

Is it applicable to phones, laptops, etc or only to big home appliances like fridges and washing machines?

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5 minutes ago, AldiPrayogi said:

Is it applicable to phones, laptops, etc or only to big home appliances like fridges and washing machines?

At the moment, only home appliances. However, other items are being discussed in parliament and this law can, and hopefully will, have amendments to cover additional product groups in future.

[kpluck]

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Manufacturers will be legally obliged to make spare parts for products available to consumers for the first time – a new legal right for repairs.

 

Couldn't manufacturers make the products so difficult to work on that even with spare parts the appliances would be impractical to fix?

 

-kp

[Stormseeker9]

7 hours ago, kpluck said:

 

Couldn't manufacturers make the products so difficult to work on that even with spare parts the appliances would be impractical to fix?

 

-kp

They could, but think about light bulbs, they are designed to last X amount of hours, ensuring replacement is needed. This is plausible as light bulbs are not that expensive.

 

having a product which if one part brakes the whole machine needs replacing is not economically sustainable, and goes against environmental regulations / ideas, as we are trying to cut down in emissions, trialing circular economies etc etc.

 

imagine a family needed to buy a new dishwasher or washing machine every time it breaks? Most couldn’t afford it.