Sittings · Document
On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules promoting the repair of goods and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2394, Directives (EU) 2019/771 and (EU) 2020/1828
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: René Repasi
PR_COD_1amCom
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DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules promoting the repair of goods and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2394, Directives (EU) 2019/771 and (EU) 2020/1828
(COM(2023)0155 – C90117/2023 – 2023/0083(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2023)0155),
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C90117/2023),
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the opinions of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and of the Committee on Legal Affairs,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (A90000/2023),
1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
Amendment 1
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(6) Reparability requirements should comprise all requirements under Union legal acts which ensure that goods can be repaired, including but not limited to requirements under the ecodesign framework referred to in Regulation [on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products], to cover a broad range of products as well as future developments in any other field of Union law.
deleted
Or. en
Amendment 2
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(10) Repairers should not alter the conditions of repair that they provide in the European Repair Information Form, including on the price for repair, for a certain period of time. This ensures that consumers are given sufficient time to compare different repair offers. In order to safeguard as much as possible the contractual freedom for repairers other than producers of goods for whom an obligation to repair applies, to be able to decide whether to conclude a contract for the provision of repair services at all, repairers should remain free to decide not to conclude such a contract, including in situations where they have provided the European Repair Information Form. If a contract for the provision of repair services is concluded based on the European Repair Information Form, the information on conditions of repair and price contained in that form should constitute an integral part of the contract for the provision of repair services, thereby defining the repairer’s obligations under that contract. Non-compliance with those contractual obligations is governed by the applicable national law.
(10) Repairers should not alter the conditions of repair that they provide in the European Repair Information Form, including on the price for repair, for 30 calendar days. This ensures that consumers are given sufficient time to compare different repair offers. In order to safeguard as much as possible the contractual freedom for repairers other than producers of goods for whom an obligation to repair applies, to be able to decide whether to conclude a contract for the provision of repair services at all, repairers should remain free to decide not to conclude such a contract. If a contract for the provision of repair services is concluded based on the European Repair Information Form, the information on conditions of repair and price contained in that form should constitute an integral part of the contract for the provision of repair services, thereby defining the repairer’s obligations under that contract. Non-compliance with those contractual obligations is governed by the applicable national law.
Or. en
Amendment 3
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(11) Directive (EU) 2019/771 imposes an obligation on sellers to repair goods in the event of a lack of conformity which existed at the time that the goods were delivered and which becomes apparent within the liability period. Under that Directive, consumers are not entitled to have defects repaired which fall outside that obligation. As a consequence, a large number of defective, but otherwise viable, goods are prematurely discarded. In order to encourage consumers to repair their good in such situations, this Directive should impose an obligation on producers to repair goods to which reparability requirements imposed by Union legal acts apply. That repair obligation should be imposed, upon the consumer’s request, on the producers of such goods, since they are the addressees of those reparability requirements. That obligation should apply to producers established both inside and outside the Union in relation to goods placed on the Union market.
(11) Directive (EU) 2019/771 imposes an obligation on sellers to repair goods in the event of a lack of conformity which existed at the time that the goods were delivered and which becomes apparent within the liability period. Under that Directive, consumers are not entitled to have defects repaired which fall outside that obligation. As a consequence, a large number of defective, but otherwise viable, goods are prematurely discarded. In order to encourage consumers to repair their good in such situations, this Directive should impose an obligation on producers to repair goods listed in Annex II. That repair obligation should be imposed, upon the consumer’s request, on the producers of such goods, since they are the addressees of those reparability requirements. That obligation should apply to producers established both inside and outside the Union in relation to goods placed on the Union market.
Or. en
Amendment 4
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(12) Since the obligation to repair imposed on producers under this Directive covers defects that are not due to the non-conformity of the goods with a sales contract, producers may provide repair against a price paid by the consumer, against another kind of consideration, or for free. The charging of a price should encourage producers to develop sustainable business models, including the provision of repair services. Such a price may take into account, for instance, labour costs, costs for spare parts, costs for operating the repair facility and a customary margin. The price for and the conditions of repair should be agreed in a contract between the consumer and the producer and the consumer should remain free to decide whether that price and those conditions are acceptable. The need for such a contract and the competitive pressure from other repairers should encourage producers who are obliged to repair to keep the price acceptable for the consumer. The repair obligation may also be performed for free when the defect is covered by a commercial guarantee, for instance, in relation to guaranteed durability of goods.
(12) Since the obligation to repair imposed on producers under this Directive covers defects that are not due to the non-conformity of the goods with a sales contract, producers may provide repair against a price paid by the consumer, against another kind of consideration, or for free. The charging of a price should encourage producers to develop sustainable business models, including the provision of repair services. Such a price may take into account, costs such as costs for spare parts, labour costs, costs for the freight, delivery or postal charges or, if either the total price or any of the elements of the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, information on the manner in which the price is to be calculated and the maximum price for the repair. . The price for and the conditions of repair should be agreed in a contract between the consumer and the producer and the consumer should remain free to decide whether that price and those conditions are acceptable. The need for such a contract and the competitive pressure from other repairers should encourage producers who are obliged to repair to keep the price acceptable for the consumer. The repair obligation may also be performed for free when the defect is covered by a commercial guarantee, for instance, in relation to guaranteed durability of goods.
Or. en
Amendment 5
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(13) Producers may fulfil their obligation to repair by sub-contracting repair, for instance, if the producer does not have the repair infrastructure or if repair can be carried out by a repairer located closer to the consumer, among others where the producer is established outside the Union.
(13) Producers may fulfil their obligation to repair by sub-contracting repair, for instance, if the producer does not have the repair infrastructure. To prevent unnecessary shipping costs and emissions, the repair should be carried out as close as possible to the consumer. Thus, the repair can be carried out by a repairer located closer to the consumer, in particular in those instances where the producer is established outside the Union.
Or. en
Amendment 6
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(14) The requirements laid down in delegated acts adopted pursuant to Regulation [on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products] or implementing measures adopted pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council16 , according to which producers should provide access to spare parts, repair and maintenance information or any repair related software tools, firmware or similar auxiliary means, apply. Those requirements ensure the technical feasibility of repair, not only by the producer, but also by other repairers. As a consequence, the consumer can select a repairer of its choice.
(14) The requirements laid down in delegated acts adopted pursuant to Regulation [on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products] or implementing measures adopted pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council16 , according to which producers should provide access to spare parts, repair and maintenance information or any repair related software tools, firmware or similar auxiliary means, apply. Those requirements ensure the technical feasibility of repair, not only by the producer, but also by other repairers. To complement those measures, access for independent repairers and consumers to spare parts, the related information, any tool and auxiliary means should be provided at a reasonable cost and in a non-discriminatory manner, for a period corresponding to at least the expected lifespan of the product. Consequently, this should ensure competition and benefit consumers with better services and lower prices when selecting a repairer.
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16 Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, p. 10–35).
16 Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, p. 10–35).
Or. en
Amendment 7
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(15) The obligation to repair should also be effective in cases where the producer is established outside the Union. In order to enable consumers to turn to an economic operator established within the Union to perform this obligation, this Directive foresees a sequence of alternative economic operators required to perform the obligation to repair of the producer in such cases. This should enable producers located outside the Union to organise and perform their obligation to repair within the Union.
(15) The obligation to repair should also be effective in cases where the producer is established outside the Union. In order to enable consumers to turn to an economic operator established within the Union to perform this obligation, this Directive foresees a sequence of alternative economic operators required to perform the obligation to repair of the producer in such cases. Because of their role in the supply chain of goods to consumers, fulfilment service providers and online platforms should also be covered by this Directive. This should prevent situations where no economic operator is established in the Union to fulfil the repair obligation. Producers established outside the Union should organise and perform their obligation to repair within the Union.
Or. en
Amendment 8
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(16) To avoid overburdening producers and to ensure they are able to perform their obligation to repair, that obligation should be limited to those products for which and to the extent any reparability requirements are provided for in Union legal acts. Reparability requirements do not oblige producers to repair defective goods, but ensure that goods are reparable. Such reparability requirements can be laid down in relevant Union legal acts. Examples are delegated acts adopted pursuant to Regulation [on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products] or implementing measures adopted pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council17 , which create a framework to improve the environmental sustainability of products. This limitation of the obligation to repair ensures that only those goods which are reparable by design are subject to such obligation. Relevant reparability requirements include design requirements enhancing the ability to disassemble the goods and a range of spare parts to be made available for a minimum period. The obligation to repair corresponds to the scope of the reparability requirements, for instance, ecodesign requirements may apply only to certain components of the goods or a specific period of time may be set to make spare parts available. The obligation to repair under this Directive, which allows the consumer to claim repair directly against the producer in the after-sales phase, complements the supply-side related reparability requirements laid down in Regulation [on the Ecodesign Sustainable Products], encouraging consumer demand for repair.
(16) To avoid overburdening producers and to ensure they are able to perform their obligation to repair, that obligation should be limited to those products listed in Annex II. The obligation to repair under this Directive, which allows the consumer to claim repair directly against the producer in the after-sales phase, should encourage consumer demand for repair.
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17 Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast).
Or. en
Amendment 9
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(17) To ensure legal certainty, this Directive lists in Annex II relevant product groups covered by such reparability requirements under Union legal acts. In order to ensure coherence with future reparability requirements under Union legal acts, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of in particular adding new product groups to Annex II when new reparability requirements are adopted. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making18 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council should receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically should have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
(17) To ensure legal certainty, this Directive lists in Annex II relevant product groups for the repair obligation under this Directive. In order to ensure coherence with future market and legislative developments, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of in particular adding new product groups to Annex II. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making18 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council should receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically should have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
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18 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 213,12.5.2016, p. 1).
18 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 213,12.5.2016, p. 1).
Or. en
Amendment 10
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(22) Member States should ensure that all economic operators that may provide repair services in the Union have easy access to the online platform. Member States should be free to decide which repairers can register on the online platform as long as access to that platform is reasonable and non-discriminatory for all repairers in accordance with Union law. Enabling repairers from one Member State to register on the online platform in another Member State in order to provide repair services in areas that the consumer searched for should support the cross-border provision of repair services. It should be left to Member States’ discretion how to populate the online platform, for instance by self-registration or extraction from existing databases with the consent of the repairers, or if registrants should pay a registration fee covering the costs for operating the platform. To guarantee a wide choice of repair services on the online platform, Member States should ensure that access to the online platform is not limited to a specific category of repairers. While national requirements, for instance, on the necessary professional qualifications, continue to apply, Member States should ensure that the online platform is open to all repairers that fulfil those requirements. Member States should also be free to decide whether and to what extent community-led repair initiatives, such as repair cafés, may register on the online platform, taking account of safety considerations where relevant. Registration on the online platform should always be possible upon repairers’ request, provided they fulfil the applicable requirements to access the online platform.
(22) Member States should ensure that all economic operators that may provide repair services in the Union have easy access to the online platform. Member States should be free to decide which repairers can register on the online platform as long as access to that platform is reasonable and non-discriminatory for all repairers in accordance with Union law. It should be left to Member States’ discretion how to populate the online platform, for instance by self-registration or extraction from existing databases with the consent of the repairers. To guarantee a wide choice of repair services on the online platform, Member States should ensure that access to the online platform is not limited to a specific category of repairers. While national requirements, for instance, on the necessary professional qualifications, continue to apply, Member States should ensure that the online platform is open to all repairers that fulfil those requirements. Member States should also be free to decide whether and to what extent community-led repair initiatives, such as repair cafés, may register on the online platform, taking account of safety considerations where relevant. Registration on the online platform should always be possible upon repairers’ request, provided they fulfil the applicable requirements to access the online platform.
Or. en
Amendment 11
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(25) In order to facilitate obtaining the European Repair Information Form, the online platform should include the possibility for consumers to directly request that form from the repairer through the online platform. This possibility should be displayed in a prominent manner on the online platform. To create awareness of national online repair platforms and to facilitate access to such platforms across the Union, Member States should ensure that their online platforms are accessible through relevant national webpages connected to the Single Digital Gateway established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council20 . To raise consumer awareness of the online platform, Member States should undertake appropriate steps, for instance sign-post the online platform on related national websites or carry out communication campaigns.
(25) In order to facilitate obtaining the European Repair Information Form, the online platform should include the possibility for consumers to directly request that form from the repairer through the online platform. This possibility should be displayed in a prominent manner on the online platform. Member States should communicate to the Commission the link of existing online platforms for repair in their territory within 12 months after entry into force of this Directive and the link of every new online platform for repair within 14 working days of their launch. The Commission should keep a publicly available and easily accessible and machine-readable database of online platforms for repair registered within the Member States.
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20 Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 October 2018 establishing a single digital gateway to provide access to information, to procedures and to assistance and problem-solving services and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 1).
Or. en
Amendment 12
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(25a) To raise consumer awareness of the online platform for repair, Member States should take appropriate steps, for instance signposting the online platform on related national websites or carrying out communication campaigns. Economic operators or online platforms allowing long-distance contracts should also take appropriate steps to inform consumers about the online platform for repair, for instance, by sending the consumer the link or advertising it in store.
Or. en
Amendment 13
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(26) In order to promote sustainable consumption of goods in situations outside the liability of the seller, the online platform should also promote goods subject to refurbishment as an alternative to repair or to buying new goods. To that end, the online platform should include a functionality allowing consumers to find sellers of goods subject to refurbishment or businesses buying defective goods for refurbishment purposes, in particular by enabling a search function per product category. Such sellers of goods subject to refurbishment or purchasers of defective goods for refurbishment should have access to the platform based on the same principles and technical specifications applicable to the repair functionality.
(26) In order to promote sustainable consumption of goods in situations outside the liability of the seller, the online platform for repair should also promote goods subject to refurbishment as an alternative to repair or to buying new goods. To that end, the online platform should include a functionality allowing consumers to find sellers of goods subject to refurbishment or businesses buying defective goods for refurbishment purposes, in particular by enabling a search function per product category. Such sellers of goods subject to refurbishment or purchasers of defective goods for refurbishment should have access to the platform based on the same principles and technical specifications applicable to the repair functionality.
Or. en
Amendment 14
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(26a) As a clear majority of Union citizens prefer having a good repaired rather than buying a new one1a, all consumers should have the means to have their goods repaired outside of the legal guarantee period. This would not only serve the Green Transition but support European businesses as well. In this regard, Member States should develop financial incentives to promote repair. In many Member States such measures already exist in the form of national repair funds or repair vouchers. In order to support the Member States further in promoting repair the Commission should propose an amendment to the Council to extend the scope of point (19) of Annex III to Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax to other product categories, at least to those mentioned in Annex II of this Directive. This could create more coherence between the product categories foreseen in Annex II of this Directive and the Annex III of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC. This could enable all consumers to have their goods repaired rather than buying a replacement.
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1a See Flash Eurobarometer 388 report of June 2014 entitled ‘Attitudes of Europeans towards waste management and resource efficiency’.
Or. en
Amendment 15
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(27) The Commission should enable the development of a voluntary European quality standard for repair services, for instance by encouraging and facilitating voluntary cooperation on a standard between businesses, public authorities and other stakeholders or by issuing a standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations. A European standard for repair services could boost consumer trust in repair services across the Union. Such standard could include aspects influencing consumer decisions on repair, such as the time to complete repair, the availability of temporary replacement goods, quality assurances such as a commercial guarantee on repair, and the availability of ancillary services such as removal, installation and transportation offered by repairers.
(27) The Commission should enable the development of a voluntary European quality standard for repair services, for instance by encouraging and facilitating voluntary cooperation on a standard between businesses, public authorities and other stakeholders, such as independent and community repair providers, or by issuing a standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations. A European standard for repair services could boost consumer trust in repair services across the Union. Such standard could include aspects influencing consumer decisions on repair, such as the time to complete repair, the availability of temporary replacement goods, quality assurances such as a commercial guarantee on repair, and the availability of ancillary services such as removal, installation and transportation offered by repairers.
Or. en
Amendment 16
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(28) In order to promote repair within the liability of the seller as established in Directive (EU) 2019/771, the harmonised conditions under which the choice between the remedies of repair and replacement can be exercised should be adapted. The principle established in Directive (EU) 2019/771 to use the consideration whether the remedy chosen would impose costs on the seller that are disproportionate as compared to the other remedy, as one of the criteria to determine the applicable remedy, should be maintained. The consumer remains entitled to choose repair over replacement, unless repair would be impossible or it would impose disproportionate costs on the seller as compared to replacement. However, where the costs for replacement are higher than or equal to the costs of repair, the seller should always repair the goods. Hence, the consumer is entitled to choose replacement as a remedy only where it is cheaper than repair. Directive (EU) 2019/771 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(28) In order to promote repair within the liability of the seller as established in Directive (EU) 2019/771, the harmonised conditions under which the choice between the remedies of repair and replacement can be exercised should be adapted. The principle established in Directive (EU) 2019/771 to use the consideration whether the remedy chosen would impose costs on the seller that are disproportionate as compared to the other remedy, as one of the criteria to determine the applicable remedy, should be maintained. The consumer remains entitled to choose repair over replacement, unless repair would be factually or legally impossible. However, where the costs for replacement are higher than or equal to the costs of repair, the seller should always repair the goods unless the repair creates an inconvenience for the consumer. In situations where a repair does not lead to the good being in conformity, the principles established by Directive 2019/771 should apply. This should prevent situations where a consumer faces consecutive repairs for the same defect of the same good. Directive (EU) 2019/771 should therefore be amended accordingly.
Or. en
Amendment 17
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(28a) To support consumers and to reduce the inconvenience for them of not having the goods while they are being repaired, the seller should loan the consumer a replacement product. This replacement product can also be a refurbished good but should be temporarily loaned to the consumer without cost. Furthermore, the seller should undertake the repair as quickly as possible. The repair should not take longer than 15 calendar days, once the seller has been informed about the non-conformity of the good.
Or. en
Amendment 18
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(28b) Directive (EU) 2019/771 imposes an obligation on sellers to repair goods in the event of a lack of conformity existing at the time when the goods were delivered and which becomes apparent within the liability period. In order to promote repair within the liability period, once they choose repair as a remedy to bring a good into conformity, consumers should be able to benefit from an extended liability period of an additional two years starting from the moment their good is returned to them, repaired. This extension of the legal guarantee period should only apply to the first repair under Directive (EU) 2019/771. Directive (EU) 2019/771 should therefore be amended accordingly.
Or. en
Amendment 19
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(28c) A direct producer liability should be established for the repair of products. In such a case, the producer should repair the product to remedy the non-conformity. To avoid the same repair for the same defect by the seller in such a case, the seller should be discharged from his liability for that defect and once successfully repaired by the producer, the good should be regarded as being in conformity. No other rights of the consumer under Directive (EU) 2019/771 should be affected by this producer liability in case of repair as remedy to a non-conformity.
Or. en
Amendment 20
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(30) In order to allow economic operators to adapt, transitional provisions concerning the application of some Articles of this Directive should be introduced. Thus, the obligations to repair and to provide related information on this obligation should apply to contracts for the provision of repair services after [24 months after the entry into force]. The amendment to Directive (EU) 2019/771 should apply only to sales contracts concluded after [24 months after the entry into force] to ensure legal certainty and to provide sellers with sufficient time to adapt to the amended remedies of repair and replacement.
(30) In order to allow economic operators to adapt, transitional provisions concerning the application of some Articles of this Directive should be introduced. Thus, the obligations to repair and to provide related information on this obligation should apply to contracts for the provision of repair services after [12 months after the entry into force]. The amendment to Directive (EU) 2019/771 should apply only to sales contracts concluded after [12 months after the entry into force] to ensure legal certainty and to provide sellers with sufficient time to adapt to the amended remedies of repair and replacement.
Or. en
Amendment 21
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
6a. ‘fulfilment service provider’ means any natural or legal person offering, in the course of commercial activity, at least two of the following services: warehousing, packaging, addressing and dispatching of a product, without having ownership of the product, with the exception of ‘postal services’ as defined in Article 2, point (1), of Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council1a, of ‘parcel delivery services’ as defined in Article 2, point (2), of Regulation (EU) 2018/644 of the European Parliament and of the Council1b, and of any other postal services or freight transport services;
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1a Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service (OJ L 15, 21.1.1998, p. 14).
1b Regulation (EU) 2018/644 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 April 2018 on cross-border parcel delivery services (OJ L 112, 2.5.2018, p. 19).
Or. en
Amendment 22
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
7a. ‘online platform’ means ‘online platform’ as defined in Article 2, point (h), of Regulation (EU)2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a;
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1a Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) (OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1)
Or. en
Amendment 23
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
10. ‘reparability requirements’ mean requirements under the Union legal acts listed in Annex II which enable a product to be repaired including requirements to improve its ease of disassembly, access to spare parts, and repair-related information and tools applicable to products or specific components of products;
deleted
Or. en
Amendment 24
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Member States shall not maintain or introduce in their national law provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive.
Member States shall not maintain or introduce in their national law provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive, unless otherwise provided for in this Directive
Or. en
Amendment 25
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – point e
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
(e) the price or, if the price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is to be calculated and the maximum price for the repair;
(e) the total price, including but not limited to costs for spare parts, labour costs, costs for operating the repair facility, costs for the freight, delivery or postal charges if either the total price or any of its subparts price cannot reasonably be calculated in advance, the manner in which the price is to be calculated and the maximum price expected for the repair;
Or. en
Amendment 26
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
5. The repairer shall not alter the conditions of repair specified in the European Repair Information Form for a period of 30 calendar days as from the date on which that form was provided to the consumer, unless the repairer and the consumer have agreed otherwise. If a contract for the provision of repair services is concluded within the 30 day period, the conditions of repair specified in the European Repair Information Form shall constitute an integral part of that contract.
5. The repairer shall not alter the conditions of repair specified in the European Repair Information Form for a period of 30 calendar days as from the date on which that form was provided to the consumer. If a contract for the provision of repair services is concluded within the 30 day period, the conditions of repair specified in the European Repair Information Form shall constitute an integral part of that contract.
Or. en
Amendment 27
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure that upon the consumer’s request, the producer shall repair, for free or against a price or another kind of consideration, goods for which and to the extent that reparability requirements are provided for by Union legal acts as listed in Annex II. The producer shall not be obliged to repair such goods where repair is impossible. The producer may sub-contract repair in order to fulfil its obligation to repair.
1. Member States shall ensure that upon the consumer’s request, the producer shall repair, goods which are listed in Annex II. The producer shall not be obliged to repair such goods where repair is factually or legally impossible. The producer shall not refuse the consumer’s request purely due to economic considerations such as the costs. The producer may sub-contract repair in order to fulfil its obligation to repair.
Or. en
Amendment 28
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1a. The repair pursuant to paragraph 1 shall be carried out subject to the following conditions:
a) it shall be carried out either free of charge or in return for consideration;
b) it shall be carried out within 15 calendar days from the moment the producer has physical possession of the good, has received the good or has been given access to the good by the consumer; and
c) the producer shall provide the consumer with the loan of a replacement good for the duration of the repair.
Or. en
Amendment 29
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
2. Where the producer obliged to repair pursuant to paragraph 1 is established outside the Union, its authorised representative in the Union shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where the producer has no authorised representative in the Union, the importer of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where there is no importer, the distributor of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer.
2. Where the producer obliged to repair pursuant to paragraph 1 is established outside the Union, its authorised representative in the Union shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where the producer has no authorised representative in the Union, the importer of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where there is no importer, the fulfilment service provider of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where there is no fulfilment service provider, the distributor of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer.
Where there is no producer established in the Union, authorised representative, importer, fulfilment services provider or distributor, the obligation of the producer shall be performed by a provider of an online platform that allows consumers to conclude distance contracts with traders, provided that the conditions of Article 6(3) set out in Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 are fulfilled.
Or. en
Amendment 30
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3. Producers shall ensure that independent repairers have access to spare parts and repair-related information and tools in accordance with the Union legal acts listed in Annex II.
3. For all goods listed in Annex II, producers shall allow independent repairers and consumers access to all spare parts and all repair-related information and tools at a reasonable and non-discriminatory cost for a period corresponding to at least the expected lifespan of the product .
Or. en
Amendment 31
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3a. Producers shall make available on their websites all information related to repair, such as repair prices and prices of spare parts for the goods listed in Annex II.
Or. en
Amendment 32
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 15 to amend Annex II by updating the list of Union legal acts laying down reparability requirements in the light of legislative developments.
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 15 to amend Annex II by adding new reparable goods to the list in the light of legislative or market developments.
Or. en
Amendment 33
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – title
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Online platform for repair and goods subject to refurbishment
Online platform for repair
Or. en
Amendment 34
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3a. Member States shall ensure that the information on the online platform for repair is easily accessible and up-to-date.
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3b. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the link of existing online platforms for repair in their territory by ...[ 12 months after entry into force of this Directive] and the link of every new online platform for repair within 14 working days of their launch. The Commission shall keep a publicly available and easily accessible and machine-readable database of online platforms for repair registered within the Member States.
Or. en
Amendment 36
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3c. Member States and the Commission shall take appropriate measures to inform consumers, relevant economic operators and sellers about the availability of the online platform established pursuant to Article 7(1) and that consumers have easy access to it.
Or. en
Amendment 37
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3 d (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3d. The relevant economic operator or an online platform that allows consumers to conclude distance contracts should provide consumers with information on the availability of the online platform, established pursuant to Article 7(1), in their territory.
Or. en
Amendment 38
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Article 9a
Member States measures promoting repair
1. Member States shall take appropriate measures promoting repair.
2. The measures referred to in paragraph 1 may, for example, take the form of repair vouchers, national repair funds or other measures and incentives.
3. Member States shall report to the Commission the measures taken under paragraph 1. By ... [24 months after the date of transposition of this Directive], the Commission shall make the measures introduced by Member States publicly available. Member States shall report to the Commission on the applicable measures by...[ 12 months year after the date of transposition of this Directive].
Or. en
Amendment 39
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1a. Member States shall ensure that the following non-exhaustive and indicative criteria are taken into account for the imposition of penalties, where appropriate:
(a) the nature, gravity, scale and duration of the infringement;
(b) any action taken by the seller or producer to mitigate or remedy the damage suffered by consumers;
(c) any previous infringements by the seller or producer;
(d) the financial benefits gained or losses avoided by the seller or producer due to the infringement, if the relevant data are available;
(e) penalties imposed on the seller or producer for the same infringement in other Member States in cross-border cases where information about such penalties is available through the mechanism established by Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 of the European Parliament and of the Council ;
(f) any other aggravating or mitigating factors applicable to the circumstances of the case.
Or. en
Amendment 40
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1b. Member States shall ensure that when penalties are to be imposed in accordance with Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2394, they include the possibility either to impose fines through administrative procedures or to initiate legal proceedings for the imposition of fines, or both, the maximum amount of such fines being at least 4 % of the seller’s or producer’s annual turnover in the Member State or Member States concerned.
Or. en
Amendment 41
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1c. For cases where a fine is to be imposed in accordance with paragraph 1b, but information on the seller’s or producer’s annual turnover is not available, Member States shall introduce the possibility to impose fines, the maximum amount of which shall be at least EUR 2 million.
Or. en
Amendment 42
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
2. Member States shall, by 24 months from the entry into force notify the Commission of the rules and of the measures referred to in paragraph 1and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them.
2. Member States shall, by 12 months from the entry into force notify the Commission of the rules and of the measures referred to in paragraph 1and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them.
Or. en
Amendment 43
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph -1 (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d
Present text
Amendment
-1. Article 7(1), point (d) is replaced by the following:
(d) be of the quantity and possess the qualities and other features, including in relation to durability, functionality, compatibility and security normal for goods of the same type and which the consumer may reasonably expect given the nature of the goods and taking into account any public statement made by or on behalf of the seller, or other persons in previous links of the chain of transactions, including the producer, particularly in advertising or on labelling.
"(d) be of the quantity and possess the qualities and other features, including in relation to durability, reparability, functionality, compatibility and security normal for goods of the same type and which the consumer may reasonably expect given the nature of the goods and taking into account any public statement made by or on behalf of the seller, or other persons in previous links of the chain of transactions, including the producer, particularly in advertising or on labelling.
Or. en
Amendment 44
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph -1 a (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 10 – paragraph 6
Present text
Amendment
-1a. In Article 10, paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:
Member States may provide that, in the case of second-hand goods, the seller and the consumer can agree to contractual terms or agreements with a shorter liability or limitation period than those referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 5, provided that such shorter periods shall not be less than one year.
"Member States shall ensure that, in the case of second-hand goods and especially refurbished goods, the seller and the consumer can not agree to contractual terms or agreements with a shorter liability or limitation period than those referred to in paragraphs 1, 2, and 5. Member States may maintain or introduce longer time limits."
Or. en
Amendment 45
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
In Article 13(2) of Directive (EU) 2019/771 the following sentence is added:
1. In Article 13(2), the following subparagraph is added:
In derogation from the first sentence of this paragraph, where the costs for replacement are equal to or greater than the costs for repair, the seller shall repair the goods in order to bring those goods in conformity.
By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, where the costs for replacement are equal to or greater than the costs for repair, the seller shall repair the goods in order to bring those goods in conformity, unless the repair is factually or legally impossible or would create significant inconvenience to the consumer.
Or. en
Amendment 46
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 13 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Present text
Amendment
1a. In Article 13 the following paragraph is inserted:
"3a. In the event that the consumer chooses the repair option as the remedy to bring the goods into conformity, the consumer may also directly request the producer to bring the goods into conformity. A fulfilment of this request by the producer shall discharge the seller from its liability pursuant to Article 10."
Or. en
Amendment 47
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 13 – paragraph 4 a (new )
Present text
Amendment
1b. In Article 13 the following paragraph is inserted:
"4a. Where, in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article, the consumer chooses the repair option as the remedy to bring the goods into conformity , the seller shall be liable for any lack of conformity which exists at the time the consumer received the repaired goods and which becomes apparent within two years after that time. This shall not apply if the seller has already successfully repaired the goods in accordance with Article 10. Without prejudice to Article 7(3), this paragraph shall also apply to goods with digital elements. This paragraph shall be without prejudice to other time limits under Article 10 and further claims of the consumer."
Or. en
Amendment 48
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Present text
Amendment
1c. In Article 14 paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
1. Repairs or replacements shall be carried out:
"1. Repairs shall be carried out:
(a) free of charge;
(a) free of charge;
(b) within a reasonable period of time from the moment the seller has been informed by the consumer about the lack of conformity; and
(b) within 15 calendar days from the moment the seller has been informed by the consumer about the repair;
(c) without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking into account the nature of the goods and the purpose for which the consumer required the goods.
(c) without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking into account the nature of the goods and the purpose for which the consumer required the goods.
The seller shall provide the consumer with a replacement good on loan for the duration of the repair."
Or. en
Amendment 49
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 d (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Present text
Amendment
1d. In Article 14 the following paragraph is inserted:
"1a. Replacements shall be carried out:
a) free of charge;
b) within a reasonable period of time from the moment the seller has been informed by the consumer about the lack of conformity; and
c) without any significant inconvenience to the consumer, taking into account the nature of the goods and the purpose for which the consumer has required the goods."
Or. en
Amendment 50
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 e (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 14 – paragraph 4a (new)
Present text
Amendment
1e. In Article 14 the following paragraph is inserted:
"4a. In the event that the consumer decides, pursuant to Article 13(3a), that the producer shall bring the goods into conformity by means of repair, the producer shall be understood as being the seller for the purposes of this Article."
Or. en
Amendment 51
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 f (new)
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Present text
Amendment
1f. In Article 17 the following paragraph is inserted
"1a. The commercial guarantee is without prejudice to the consumer’s right pursuant to Article 13(3a) to choose for the producer to repair a good that is not in conformity. Any terms of the commercial guarantee that discourage the consumer from exercising rights pursuant to Article 13(3a) shall be void.”
Or. en
Amendment 52
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Article 14a
Evaluation report
1. By [5 years after the entry into force of this Directive], the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of this Directive and assess its contribution, and in particular Articles 5, 9a and 12, to the proper functioning of the internal market the high level of consumer protection and the improvement of the environmental sustainability of products.
2. The Commission shall draw up a report on the main findings and submit it to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions. Member States shall provide the Commission with the information necessary for the preparation of that report.
3. The report shall be accompanied, where appropriate, by a legislative proposal.
Or. en
Amendment 53
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1. Article 5(1) and (2) and Article 6 of this Directive shall not apply to contracts for the provision of repair services concluded before [24 months after the entry into force].
1. Article 5(1) and (2) and Article 6 of this Directive shall not apply to contracts for the provision of repair services concluded before [12 months after the entry into force].
Or. en
Amendment 54
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
2. Article 12 of this Directive shall not apply to sales contracts concluded before [24 months after the entry into force]
2. Article 12 of this Directive shall not apply to sales contracts concluded before [12 months after the entry into force]
Or. en
Amendment 55
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by [24 months from the entry into force] at the latest. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by [12 months from the entry into force] at the latest. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
Or. en
Amendment 56
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
Member States shall apply those measures from [24 months from the entry into force].
Member States shall apply those measures from [12 months from the entry into force].
Or. en
Amendment 57
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – subheading 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
LIST OF UNION LEGAL ACTS
LIST OF REPARABLE GOODS
Or. en
Amendment 58
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – subheading 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
LAYING DOWN REPARABILITY REQUIREMENTS
deleted
Or. en
Amendment 59
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 1
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
1. Household washing machines and household washer-dryers according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/202321
1. Household washing machines and household washer-dryers
__________________
21 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for household washing machines and household washer-dryers pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 1015/2010 (OJ 315, 5.12.2019, p. 285).
Or. en
Amendment 60
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 2
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
2. Household dishwashers according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/202222
2. Household dishwashers
__________________
22 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2022 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for household dishwashers pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 1016/2010 (OJ 315, 5.12.2019, p. 267).
Or. en
Amendment 61
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 3
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
3. Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/202423
3. Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function
__________________
23 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2024 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ 315, 5.12.2019, p. 313).
Or. en
Amendment 62
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 4
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
4. Refrigerating appliances according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/201924
4. Refrigerating appliances
__________________
24 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2019 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for refrigerating appliances pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 643/2009 (OJ 315, 5.12.2019, p. 187).
Or. en
Amendment 63
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 5
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
5. Electronic displays according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/202125
5. Electronic displays
__________________
25 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for electronic displays pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 642/2009 (OJ 315, 5.12.2019, p.241).
Or. en
Amendment 64
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 6
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
6. Welding equipment according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/178426
6. Welding equipment
__________________
26 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1784 of 1 October 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for welding equipment pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ 272, 25.10.2019, p. 121).
Or. en
Amendment 65
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 7
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
7. Vacuum cleaners according to Commission Regulation (EU) 666/201327
7. Vacuum cleaners
__________________
27 Commission Regulation (EU) 666/2013 of 8 July 2013 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for vacuum cleaners (OJ 192, 13.07.2013, p. 24).
Or. en
Amendment 66
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 8
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
8. Servers and data storage products according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/42428
8. Servers and data storage products
__________________
28 Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/424 of 15 March 2019 laying down ecodesign requirements for servers and data storage products pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 617/2013 (OJ 74, 18.03.2019, p. 46).
Or. en
Amendment 67
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 8 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
8a. Motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
Or. en
Amendment 68
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 9
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
9. [Mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets according to Commission Regulation (EU) .../…29 ]
9. Mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets
__________________
29 …
Or. en
Amendment 69
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
9a. Batteries and waste batteries
Or. en
Amendment 70
Proposal for a directive
Annex II – point 9 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment
9b. Bicycles
Or. en
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The right to repair proposal
The proposal by the European Commission for common rules promoting the repair of goods aims to make repair of defective products more attractive and thus increase the repair of consumer goods. Several studies and surveys have shown that consumers have a positive attitude towards repairing goods. Therefore, the Rapporteur wishes to support those trends in consumer as well as business behaviour and promote the so called right to repair. The draft report follows the lines of the Commission proposal to enable consumer participation in the Green Transition towards a sustainable and circular economy. In this regard, the Rapporteur believes the draft report to be complementary to the legislative proposals on Ecodesign Requirements for Sustainable Products and Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition.
Incentivising repair within the legal guarantee
The draft report aims to clarify central elements of the proposal and to increase the level of ambition. Consumer legislation should encourage the repair of defective products. Therefore, the Rapporteur suggests improving the attractiveness of repair within the legal guarantee under the Sales of Goods Directive by speeding up the requirements for the repair time, decreasing the level of inconvenience by a proposed requirement of a loan product for consumers and confirming the provisions that allows consumers to reject repair as a means of remedy. As consumers are very time sensitive when it comes to the repair of their goods, the Rapporteur proposes to hold producers directly liable for the repair in liability cases under the sales of goods regime. In doing so, the Rapporteur does not intend to change the general distribution of responsibilities established by the Sales of Goods Directive, which makes the seller the only legal counterparty for the consumer. Repairing a product upon the request of the consumer by the producer does therefore not create a new direct contractual relationship between the consumer and the producer but has only as an effect to discharge the seller from his liability towards the consumer under this Directive.
To increase the attractiveness of repair further the legal guarantee period of repaired goods should be extended. This is not only a matter of sustainability but also of legal clarity. Thus, the Rapporteur proposes to extend the legal guarantee period by an additional two years once the seller brought a product back to conformity via a repair.
Creating a repair market
Outside of the guarantee period, the draft report proposes to strengthen the right of repair for consumers. These ideas will ensure legal clarity for consumers about the obligations on producers and the conditions related to consumers’ repair rights. After careful consideration, the rapporteur decided to enlarge the scope in his draft report as it became clear that there are more product categories on the common market that are reparable. For instance, batteries, motor vehicles or bicycles. Additionally, a demand for more transparency in after-sales situations is included. Not only should producers provide consumers with a detailed overview of the estimated costs of the designated repair, including also the costs of spare parts, the draft report introduces more access to spare parts and information on prices for spare parts for both, independent repairers and consumers. This strengthens the independent repair market and empowers consumers to choose repair independent of producers. With the foreseen complementing measures of the Commission’s proposal, mainly the online platform and the repair information form, independent repairers will be put into a position where they can compete with traditional producers. The creation of a repair market would thus provide consumers with the ability to choose between repair offers, which in turn should drive down the prices for repair and improve the service. Over all, empowering consumers to have their goods repaired and truly supporting the ambition to create a circular and climate neutral economy.
ANNEX: LIST OF ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The following list is drawn up on a purely voluntary basis under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur. The rapporteur has received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the report:
Entity and/or person
Toy Industries of Europe (TIE)
Deutscher Verband der Spielwarenindustrie e.V.
Digital Europe
Bitkom
Samsung
European Environmental Bureau (EEB)
Runder Tisch Reparatur
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC)
Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V. (Vzbv)
Backmarket
Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE)
Rewe
Schwarz Gruppe
Vangerow GmbH
Xiamoi
HP
Sony Entertainment
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