Placing the right to repair at the core of the EU’s consumer protection policy

The significant decline in the habit of repairing, with only 35% of consumers choosing to repair their products, has led to substantial consequences for the environment, resulting in 7 million tons of electric and electronic waste and a marked decrease in repair-related employment in the EU.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has been a key advocate for the right to repair and has helped secure a space for this issue in EU legislation.

In 2023, the European Commission introduced the legislative proposal ‘Right to repair’ as part of the New Consumer Agenda, which addresses obstacles that deter consumers from repairing products due to inconvenience, lack of transparency, or difficult accessing repair services. The proposal promotes repair as a more sustainable consumption choice that is aligned with the European Green Deal.

The EESC rapporteurs for the opinion on the Right to Repair, Thierry Libaert and Emilie Prouzet, gathered insights from EU employers, workers, consumers, and environmental groups, and engaged effectively with co-legislators, influencing the legislative process so as to reflect the views of organised civil society.

One of our key proposals encourages the production of spare parts through 3D printing, addressing the difficult challenge of obtaining parts for older models. This innovative approach simplifies repairs and promotes sustainability. Another proposal concerns the ban on practices hindering the right to repair, which has also been acknowledged and included in the final Directive. The text of the Directive, agreed upon by the European Parliament and the Council, now identifies traders’ practices that mislead consumers into believing their goods cannot be repaired as unfair commercial practices.

Looking ahead

The Council adopted the Directive on the Right to Repair on 30 May 2024. Member States have 24 months from its entry into force to incorporate it into national law. We plan to keep the right to repair high on the civil society agenda through various initiatives, including by:

• hosting repair cafés and awareness-raising activities at events;
• highlighting the right to repair during European Consumer Day events;
• promoting the right to repair through the Eco- Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) network of the EU institutions, informing colleagues about the new rights introduced in the Directive;
• working with the European Commission to monitor the implementation of the Directive and its impact across the Member States.

We remain committed to ensuring that the right to repair becomes an integral part of EU consumer protection    policy,    empowering    consumers    and promoting sustainable practices across Europe.

The EESC is committed to promoting a circular economy by addressing the lifecycle of products. There can be no right to repair if products are designed to be irreparable. Hindering the right to repair is now prohibited by the EU Directive on the Right to Repair, and this also applies to eco-designed products. Emilie Prouzet, co-rapporteur for the EESC opinion on the Right to Repair

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