EU unveils ‘right to repair’ rules

The EU's executive arm yesterday proposed new rules that would force manufacturers to allow customers to have broken products repaired, in a bid to cut the number thrown out. The EU estimates that the number of viable products, such as dishwashers, televisions and mobile phones, binned prematurely in the bloc each year result in 35 million tonnes of waste. Buying replacements costs consumers 12 billion euros annually. Under the proposals -- part of Brussels' ambitious green push -- manufacturers will have to repair goods still under guarantee if that costs the same or less than a replacement. Consumers will also have the right to demand that firms fix their products, if they can still be mended, within 10 years of purchase, even if they are no longer under warranty. "It's essential that consumers are able to get their goods repaired, and more easily and buy less," said EU commissioner Didier Reynders.