EU Right to Repair Rules Force Companies to Fix Out-of-Warranty Devices

[MacRumors]

The European Commission has waved through new 'right to repair' legislation that aims to make it easier for consumers to get their broken devices fixed, even if products are out of warranty.

The EU already requires companies to offer a two-year minimum warranty on common household appliances and electronics, such as smartphones, TVs, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners, but the new rules impose additional requirements.

According to the legislation, if a consumer chooses to have their device repaired under warranty, the warranty must be extended by a year. Consumers may also borrow a device while theirs is being repaired, and if it cannot be fixed, they have the right to opt for a refurbished unit as an alternative.

When a product's warranty expires, companies are still required to repair devices at a "reasonable price," so as not to intentionally discourage consumers from repairing them. Manufacturers will also be prohibited from using "hardware or software related barriers to repair," including preventing the use of second-hand, compatible, and 3D-printed spare parts by independent repairers as long as they conform to EU laws.

Additionally, manufacturers will be unable to refuse to repair a product solely for economic reasons or because it was previously repaired by someone else. Companies will be required to publish information about their repair services, including indicative prices of the most common repairs.

"Consumers' right to repair products will now become a reality," said European Parliament rapporteur René Repasi. "It will be easier and cheaper to repair instead of purchase new, expensive items. This is a significant achievement for Parliament and its commitment to empower consumers in the fight against climate change. The new legislation extends legal guarantees by 12 months when opting for repair, gives better access to spare parts and ensures easier, cheaper and faster repair."

The legislation will come into effect after formal approval by the Council, with the directive set to activate 20 days after its publication.

Europe's Right to Repair group welcomed the legislation, calling it "a step in the right direction," but said "the scope of products covered remains very narrow," and would introduce loopholes. The coalition noted that the rules only cover consumer products, and not anything purchased by businesses or industrial goods. It also criticized the lack of guidance on what constituted a "reasonable price" for spare parts.

Apple is likely to be impacted by the legislation, especially with regard to its controversial "parts pairing" requirement that prevents third-party replacements of certain device components. Currently, if an iPhone part is replaced with a like-for-like replacement by an unofficial third party, it may not be recognised by the iPhone's system software. The wording of the new EU rules suggests this will no longer be allowed.

Meanwhile in the U.S., more than two-dozen states are working on individual right-to-repair legislation. California's Right to Repair Act will become law this July, requiring manufacturers to make repair materials available for all electronics and appliances that cost $50 or more.

Article Link: EU Right to Repair Rules Force Companies to Fix Out-of-Warranty Devices

 

[truthsteve]

this will cost companies extra $$$ for each model they release.

and I'm sure companies will eat the costs and totally not charge more to customers for every new product they release.

why stop there? go for free 10 year warranty for all yeah!! make companies pay for everything! throw in free accidental damage coverage too!! let's gooooo

you just played yourselves. 👏

 

[DocMultimedia]

Time for Apple to quit the game and just invest all their current cash in a high dividend bond. /s

 

[Samplasion]

A welcome change. Companies have no right to tell consumers they can't repair their own devices.

re warranty: Besides, many companies would time their warranty to end just before the product is expected to break.

 

[Edx09]

The quote is from the European Parliament’s Rapporteur, not from. EC.

 

[akbarali.ch]

Its important to provide service and/or parts at reasonable rates.

My ipad 6 32gb went in boot loop

Apple gave me diagnose report - We tried updaing the ipad with a mac and were unsuccessful, we are going for device replacement out of warranty.

For this stupid diagnosing they charged me Rs.900
Device replacement cost for ipad 6 32gb Rs.26500.
The new ipad9 64gb from Amanzon cost Rs. 29000 (without using any card discount)

It doesn't anywhere resonable to get it repaird, even if they are ready to repair (in their terms - device remplacement)

Edit: Just to add to the above note. I really like ipads they are really awesome device and must have in everyhouse. But i have decided not buy ipad anymore just because it cannot be repaired and/or repair cost are absurd.

 

[madmin]

Shame they didn't include software security fixes at the same time, because without those your hardware becomes less viable even when it's working perfectly well.

(edit: thanks @klasma but 5 years of software updates is nowhere near enough )

 

[ikir]

Warranty does not mean “I throw my iPsd down the stair” or “AirPods volume so low but I don’t clean my ear since years”

Warranty is a thing, damage, using OS, over use by misuse is another thing.

 

[Macusercom]

this will cost companies extra $$$ for each model they release.

and I'm sure companies will eat the costs and totally not charge more to customers for every new product they release.

why stop there? go for free 10 year warranty for all yeah!! make companies pay for everything! throw in free accidental damage coverage too!! let's gooooo

you just played yourselves. 👏

Just my two cents: what is preventing companies from doing that already while still cashing in on expensive repairs and people opting to buy a new device instead of repairing it?

The longer the warranty lasts, the less likely a manufacturer chooses to use bad parts. The first lightbulb works since 1901. LEDs last 50k+ hours yet for some reason even the Philips ones die after 1-2 years (max. 17.5k hours if they ran continuously which they don't)

 

[Edx09]

this will cost companies extra $$$ for each model they release.

and I'm sure companies will eat the costs and totally not charge more to customers for every new product they release.

why stop there? go for free 10 year warranty for all yeah!! make companies pay for everything! throw in free accidental damage coverage too!! let's gooooo

you just played yourselves. 👏

The phones will get more expensive in EU, but not by as much as is the gain. If you compare the iPhone price now (EU vs US), the latter is cheaper because it only comes with a one year warranty. But what you pay more in the EU for effectively the second year warranty is a good deal when compared to the extended warranty sold by Apple. And ultimately the competition won’t disappear so the idea that Apple will charge disproportionally is just Apple PR and government engagement guys here fuming for not doing their job well in the first place.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

this will cost companies extra $$$ for each model they release.

and I'm sure companies will eat the costs and totally not charge more to customers for every new product they release.

why stop there? go for free 10 year warranty for all yeah!! make companies pay for everything! throw in free accidental damage coverage too!! let's gooooo

you just played yourselves. 👏

It is a reasonable change I think and prevents companies stopping the owners of their products getting devices repaired at non OEM sources.

If Apple pass on silly costs when their products are already eye wateringly expensive, I simply won't buy them. It has to be a measured response as Apple would ultimately be the loser if they price consumers out.

 

[jlc1978]

According to the legislation, if a consumer chooses to have their device repaired under warranty, the warranty must be extended by a year.

It would be reasonable to warranty the repair for. year, but not other parts after the warranty on them was over; so if you get a screen repair under warranty and your battery dies after the original warranty it would not be covered, only the screen.

because it was previously repaired by someone else.

I suspect manufacturers will want to replace any 3rd party parts if only to prevent problems arising later from them and thus having a consumer wanting that issue to be covered under warranty.

Manufacturers will also be prohibited from using "hardware or software related barriers to repair," including preventing the use of second-hand, compatible, and 3D-printed spare parts by independent repairers as long as they conform to EU laws.

That could be interesting, I wonder how many cheap 3rd party parts are truly confirming, despite claims made by sellers. Anyone can slap a sticker on a part and claim it conforms even if it has not been tested.

I suspect in the end this will increase the costs to consumers as companies factor in potential liabilities in the EU with compliance.

 

[Ctrlos]

It is a reasonable change I think and prevents companies stopping the owners of their products getting devices repaired at non OEM sources.

If Apple pass on silly costs when their products are already eye wateringly expensive, I simply won't buy them. It has to be a measured response as Apple would ultimately be the loser if they price consumers out.

Apple and every other phone manufacturer have had the ability to design products that are easy to repair for decades. They don't, partly because there wasn't a customer desire and because they'd rather sell you a new one and another 3 years of services. These laws are not aimed at making devices more expensive but rather to put another point on the design spec sheet.

There is no reason why the iPhone 17 couldn't be a bit thicker (and maybe get a bigger battery?) to accommodate some extra magnets and screws to make things removable. A shift to polycarbonate backs instead of glass would also make things easier. At the end of the day its a design problem and one easily overcome.

 

[Shirasaki]

Im waiting for the complains And threat about “device security and software security” For using “non-genuine” Apple capacitors and resistors.

This EU directive is clearer on various aspects of the repair and Apple will either cough up and raise the price substantially (as they likely do) or complain to EU in the next 10 years.
Apple will never ever hurt their profit margins (voluntarily) in any market that’s certain.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Apple and every other phone manufacturer have had the ability to design products that are easy to repair for decades. They don't, partly because there wasn't a customer desire and because they'd rather sell you a new one and another 3 years of services. These laws are not aimed at making devices more expensive but rather to put another point on the design spec sheet.

There is no reason why the iPhone 17 couldn't be a bit thicker (and maybe get a bigger battery?) to accommodate some extra magnets and screws to make things removable. A shift to polycarbonate backs instead of glass would also make things easier. At the end of the day its a design problem and one easily overcome.

I totally agree, it is a strategy to recoup as much money from us as possible, but if they want to continue selling in Europe, they will have to change. It is not an attack on Apple or American companies as I have seen elsewhere, but something that all companies have to adhear to. Another shift I am sure we all see is that unlike 10 years ago, it is now not uncommon for people to keep phones 4 or 5 years. Technology in this market has reached a plateau and the likes of Apple have already increased prices to plug the dip as yearly upgraders and even those who upgrade every two years, are now becoming a smaller segment.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

This is awesome, and will be a very good step away from the buy-and-throw-away-culture. Good job EU, again.

 

[bLackjackj]

this will cost companies extra $$$ for each model they release.

Stop spreading mis-information.

Australia has had min 2 year standard warranties for a long time. Also any device needs to last for as long as is expected. For example, a TV should last up to 10 years. It's called consumer rights. You are already paying through the nose for tech and if a company is selling you a product, they should have quality and repairability built into the price.

 

[vtrautia]

Excellent news! Big thank you to EU. This improves longevity of products but make them little more expensive to buy. On long run you save money because you can hold on them longer.

 

[omenatarhuri]

insert Civ VI bureaucracy quote in Boromir voice

 

[klasma]

Shame they didn't include software security fixes at the same time, because without those your hardware becomes less viable even when it's working perfectly well.

The EU already requires five years of software updates.

 

[bsbeamer]

Subscription-based hardware devices have not proven to be very popular so far, but seems like his might end up pushing that model a bit more.

 

[miric]

Its important to provide service and/or parts at reasonable rates.

My ipad 6 32gb went in boot loop

Apple gave me diagnose report - We tried updaing the ipad with a mac and were unsuccessful, we are going for device replacement out of warranty.

For this stupid diagnosing they charged me Rs.900
Device replacement cost for ipad 6 32gb Rs.26500.
The new ipad9 64gb from Amanzon cost Rs. 29000 (without using any card discount)

It doesn't anywhere resonable to get it repaird, even if they are ready to repair (in their terms - device remplacement)

Edit: Just to add to the above note. I really like ipads they are really awesome device and must have in everyhouse. But i have decided not buy ipad anymore just because it cannot be repaired and/or repair cost are absurd.

Oh, I see Rs. Did you shoot with some camera the act of passing that money and the device to a serviceman or a cashdesk worker?

 

[klasma]

It would be reasonable to warranty the repair for. year, but not other parts after the warranty on them was over; so if you get a screen repair under warranty and your battery dies after the original warranty it would not be covered, only the screen.

The issue is as a customer you don’t know what parts were actually touched and potentially damaged during the repair. It’s reasonable to expect a repair to result in a product that is guaranteed to work for at least another year. The customer doesn’t want “please repair the screen but feel free to break some other component”, they want “please make it so that the device is in proper working condition again”.

 

[leman]

I don’t understand the thing with repairs after warranty. Is there a time limit? Or do they expect the manufacturer to keep spare parts for all devices they have ever produced?

 

[chrono1081]

Shame they didn't include software security fixes at the same time, because without those your hardware becomes less viable even when it's working perfectly well.

This literally isn't possible. You can't improve an OS if you have to support legacy devices forever. Consumers don't see a lot of under the hood changes made to OSs or know how much processing power certain enhancements make.