At the end of July, the European Union’s Right to Repair Directive enters into force. It is one of the most important changes in the consumer electronics market in years. Manufacturers and distributors will be required to provide customers with easier, cheaper and more transparent access to repair services for electronic devices.
Poland is currently working on legislation to implement the directive in the domestic market. What exactly will change for manufacturers and consumers?
The changes have not appeared suddenly. Work on the directive began in 2022, and the legislation was adopted by the European Parliament in April 2024. The time has now come for individual member states to implement its provisions.
In Poland, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is responsible for the implementation process, and the relevant legislation is expected to be adopted in the coming months.
One of the main pillars of the new rules is to encourage consumers to choose repair rather than replacement when making a complaint about defective equipment.
Consumers who choose repair will receive an additional 12 months of protection. The period during which the seller is liable for the goods’ conformity with the contract will be extended once by one year.
Sellers will also be required to inform customers both of their right to choose between repair and replacement and of the consequences of each option.
“This represents a genuine change in the philosophy of after-sales customer service. Until now, repair was often less attractive to consumers than replacing a product with a new one, because it could involve losing part of the warranty protection,” said Dominik Dobek, Programme Director at the Digital Poland Association.
“Extending the seller’s liability by one year is intended to reverse this situation and genuinely encourage customers to use repair services.”
Repair Obligations Will Mainly Apply to Manufacturers
The new rules will have the greatest impact on manufacturers and other participants in the supply chain.
For companies based outside the European Union, responsibility will be assumed by their authorised representatives, importers or distributors.
According to the Digital Poland Association, this is particularly important in the context of the growing import of inexpensive devices, including products sold through Chinese e-commerce platforms. Repairing equipment made by an unknown manufacturer is currently often practically impossible or financially unviable.
“Large, well-known manufacturers already offer high-quality repair services. The problem primarily concerns cheaper imports from outside the EU, where consumers are often left with a defective device and no realistic possibility of having it repaired,” Dobek said.
“The new rules are intended to change this by placing responsibility on importers and distributors as well.”
Not Every Device and Not Every Repair
It is important to remember that the new legislation does not introduce an obligation to repair every device free of charge.
The list of products currently covered by the rules is limited. It includes:
- washing machines;
- dishwashers;
- tumble dryers;
- refrigeration appliances;
- vacuum cleaners;
- televisions;
- mobile phones;
- tablets.
The list is not closed and may be extended in the future to cover additional categories of equipment.
The directive is also intended to improve access to spare parts and the tools required for repairs. These factors often determine whether repairing a device is financially worthwhile.
Manufacturers offering spare parts will be required to set prices at a level that does not discourage consumers or repair businesses from carrying out repairs.
Manufacturers will also be prohibited from refusing to repair a device solely because it was previously serviced by an independent repair shop.
They will not be allowed to impose unjustified technical, hardware, software or contractual barriers that make repairs more difficult.
The new rules do not introduce fixed price lists for repair services, but they are intended to eliminate situations in which excessive repair costs effectively discourage consumers from choosing this option.
Repairs must be carried out free of charge or at a reasonable price and within a reasonable period.
While waiting for their equipment to be returned, consumers may be provided with a replacement device.
If a repair proves impossible, the manufacturer may offer a refurbished product. This could be a previously used or opened device that has been professionally tested and restored to full working condition.
A Step Towards a Circular Economy
Another new measure will be the European Repair Information Form.
This document will include a description of the defect, the scope of the proposed repair, the price, the expected completion date and the cost of diagnostics or transport.
Using the form will remain voluntary. However, if a business chooses to issue it, the conditions set out in the document will be binding for 30 days.
A new European online platform is also intended to help consumers search for and compare repair services.
“The right to repair is a natural continuation of the changes that have been taking place in the European electronics market for years — first in the area of energy efficiency and now in relation to the durability and repairability of devices,” Dobek said.
“This is another step towards a circular economy and a genuine reduction in electronic waste.”
Source: ManagerPlus.pl
