For a genuine European right to repair

EESC question: What are the new elements that the Committee wants to introduce into the right to repair opinion?

Thierry Libaert: the repairability of products is a topic that really epitomises our Committee's work, for two reasons.

Firstly, because it is part of a long-standing dynamic rooted in consumer protection, in particular in favour of sustainable products and against misleading environmental claims. And secondly, because on topics like this we almost always manage to achieve a huge majority in plenary session votes.

The opinion on the right to repair, which I co-authored with Emilie Prouzet (the co-rapporteur) demonstrates the ever closer alignment between consumer issues and environmental protection concerns. Repaired products require the extraction of fewer raw materials – in particular critical raw materials – and, above all, less landfill, at a time when waste from the electric and electronic sectors is estimated at 7.4 million tonnes a year.

In our opinion, we support the Commission's proposal, but we call for it to go further so that the right to repair exists in more than just theory. This will include banning certain practices that aim to prevent repair (such as serialisation), supporting reconditioned products and 3D printing, and offering effective support for repairers, for example for their training. It will also be necessary to raise awareness among consumers, many of whom have lost the reflex to have their things repaired instead of simply replacing them. Action in this area must be holistic, and must involve all stakeholders.