European Commission wants to force phones to be repairable and long-lasting

The European Commission is going to present a plan with rules for electronics, including telephones. They have to be built to last. The Commission wants consumers to have the right to repair their own appliances.

This ‘Right to Repair’ will be achieved through a Circular Electronics Initiative, says the Commission. In addition to telephones, tablets and laptops will also fall under the new rules. Printers and cartridges may also be covered, unless that sector comes up with its own rules within six months. Under those rules, consumers must be able to easily have their products repaired and manufacturers must make parts available for repairs.

Consumers should be given rights to update the software of products, even after the manufacturer’s support period has ended. Devices should be provided with universal chargers to counteract the generation of waste from proprietary chargers.

The measures are intended to combat a disposable culture around electronics and thus save the environment, among other things. It is unknown when the exact plans will be announced. It is also unknown how manufacturers can comply with the rules.

The plans are still far from implementation. First, the Commission must make a proposal, after which it must pass the European Parliament and the European Council, among other things. Any regulations can only actually come into effect after that; this is usually a few years later.

Example of a nearly impossible-to-repair electronics product: Apple AirPods Pro