EU's Right to Repair directive takes effect July 31, obligating manufacturers

European Union member states are on the cusp of implementing new regulations aimed at bolstering the right to repair for consumers. By July 31, all member states must transpose Directive 2024/1799 into national law, a move designed to encourage the repair of consumer products, reduce premature disposal, and tackle the issue of planned obsolescence.

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Italy, through a draft legislative decree implementing it, has already taken steps to modify the Consumer Code to transpose the European directive.

The core of the new rules places a significant obligation on manufacturers. They will be required to repair faulty or broken goods, provided they are technically repairable, even if the product is no longer covered by the legal warranty. To ensure transparency, a standardized European module will be provided by repairers to consumers before any work begins. This document will detail the type of repair, estimated time, costs, and the possibility of a replacement product.

Looking ahead, a significant development will be the establishment of a European online repair platform by July 31, 2027. This platform aims to serve as a central hub, enabling consumers to easily find repairers, purchase refurbished goods, or connect with initiatives focused on repairing defective items through participatory approaches.

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These are very important changes that impact consumers, the environment, and producers: the disposal of repairable products generates 35 million tons of waste in Europe every year with significant social and environmental costs.

Italy has already begun the process of adapting its Consumer Code to align with the European directive through a draft legislative decree. Gabriele Melluso, president of Assoutenti, highlighted the broad impact of these changes on consumers, the environment, and producers. He pointed out that the disposal of repairable products currently generates 35 million tons of waste annually in Europe, incurring substantial social and environmental costs. The new regulations are expected not only to curb waste production but also to combat planned obsolescence by incentivizing manufacturers to produce more durable goods.

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The new rules not only reduce waste production but also combat the odious phenomenon of planned obsolescence, pushing manufacturers to create products that last longer.