EUREFAS Commends Agreement on Right to Repair Legislation

EUREFAS (European Repair and Refurbishment Association) welcomes the momentous achievement as negotiators from the European Parliament, the EU Council, and the European Commission reached a provisional political agreement on the so-called Right to Repair Directive (“Common rules promotion the repair of consumer goods” Directive) end of last week. This significant breakthrough is poised to reshape the landscape of consumer rights, sustainability, and the repair industry across the European Union.

The agreed-upon measures underscore a collective commitment to fostering a more sustainable and consumer-friendly environment. EUREFAS acknowledges the importance of empowering consumers to extend the life cycle of products through choosing repair by the repair provider of their choice and at affordable prices.

With this agreement, the EU is one step closer to making repair first,:

• New repair obligation beyond egal protection coverage: The agreement mandates a repair obligation for a list of 9 "common products," including smartphones even if the defect is not covered by warranty. This new provision is a true game changer for consumers as they given wider options to seek common repairs (such as battery or screen replacement, which represent the vast majority of repairs in our sector) from the provider of their choice.
• Opening up European Repair Market: EUREFAS is extremely pleased to see the Directive formally ban software practices that limit or prevent third party repair. This will encourage consumers to choose repair from the provider of their choice and foster more competition between service providers. Repair will also be facilitated by forcing original equipment manufacturers to make original parts available at a reasonable price and allowing service providers to use compatible, third party and second-hand parts in their operations. We are hopeful that those groundbreaking provisions will have a long-lasting effect on market dynamics and promote more competition.
• Promoting Affordable Repair: EUREFAS supports the introduction of measures by member states to promote repair, ranging from repair vouchers and funds to information campaigns. Aligning with existing tax rules or reducing the VAT rate on repair services further incentivizes sustainable choices.

“EUREFAS expresses gratitude to the negotiators, stakeholders, and organisations involved in shaping this landmark legislation. The association remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for further advancements in right-to-repair legislation, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable practices across the European Union” declares Augustin Becquet, Chairman of EUREFAS.

This historic agreement aligns with EUREFAS's core mission to advance the repair and refurbishment industry, reduce electronic waste, and promote a circular economy. To ensure the effective realisation of these measures, our association pledges to actively eng