The European Parliament adopted new rules regarding the so-called ‘right to repair’ in April 2024, which ensure consumers the right to repair household and other products. The intentional ’embedding’ of faults or planned obsolescence dates back to the 1920s, with one of the first examples being the Phoebus cartel, which deliberately shortened the lifespan of light bulbs between 1925 and 1939.
Such practices have continued to this day, and we can say that the modern practice of programmed obsolescence is often associated with devices that cease to function properly immediately after the warranty period expires, which consumers have been noticing and reporting for years. For this reason, the European Parliament, in one of its few smart initiatives, adopted new rules that member states must implement within two years of the new directive’s adoption. Biljana Borzan, a Croatian MEP, played a key role in advocating for and shaping European legislation related to the right to repair, and her work led to the adoption of the law.
The Situation in Croatia
According to the Croatian Consumer Protection Association, the current practice in Croatia shows limited repair options for devices.
– Consumers still have some repair options within the warranty period because the retailer is obliged to provide service and parts, but after the warranty expires, the consumer is left to fend for themselves and their ingenuity – they say from the Association.
They add that the new law is unlikely to reduce repair costs or address service pricing.
– The question is, what will need to be serviced? Until now, if a consumer invoked a material defect, they had the right to receive money for a new product, but then consumers lost that right, and product replacement had to occur, and now it may change in the direction that it must be repaired, which will flood the market with low-quality products – they warn from the Association.
The Association also raises the question of what kind of right to repair is actually being discussed. Is it about a new product, a product under warranty, or after the warranty period?
– We do not need the right to repair a new product, but rather a refund or product replacement. When a new product is repaired, it is no longer new, and it stimulates the sale of low-quality products. The consumer is deprived of the ability to ‘punish’ the retailer. Instead of a refund, mandatory repair is now offered, which is a step in favor of capitalists at the expense of consumers – they are sharp from the Association.
Changes in Procedure
Borzan, who is monitoring the implementation of the law in Croatia, emphasizes that changes are already going through parliamentary procedures, although she is not sure if they will be adopted before the deadline. According to her, the right to repair not only protects consumers but can also become a driver for the development of small craftsmen and service providers.
– If EU laws are applied correctly, this can truly be a turning point in how we produce and consume. The repair market in the EU is already worth tens of billions of euros annually and continues to grow. Estimates suggest that the circular economy, including the repair sector, could contribute more than 700 billion euros to the EU economy by 2030 and create over 2 million jobs. Laws on the right to repair could increase the revenues of the repair sector by 5-10 percent annually in the coming years, which would further boost GDP – says Borzan.
Borzan also emphasizes the mechanisms for controlling manufacturers, stating that there will be a special EU online portal where data on the prices of spare parts and tools will be collected.
– A reasonable price will be defined in national legislation, and I hope that this time it will be properly regulated – says Borzan.
In response to the question of whether the right to repair will lower prices, Borzan points out that the main reasons for expensive repairs are poor product design, glued parts, expensive and poorly available spare parts, and a lack of service providers.
– The new legislative proposals address these challenges. Eco-design directives stipulate how products must be made and which parts must be available for separate purchase. Device schematics necessary for repairs must be available to service providers – she says.
Regarding barriers to implementation in Croatia, Borzan believes that the enforcement of the law and informing citizens is the most important.
– It is necessary to ensure the enforcement of the law and empower citizens to report irregularities. We must not forget that the consumer is the weaker party in the market – concludes Borzan.
The new rules on the right to repair offer an opportunity for service development and reduction of electronic waste, but the Consumer Protection Association emphasizes that mandatory repairs must not replace the right to a refund or product replacement. Transparency in spare parts pricing and service availability are key to the success of the law, and only a combination of consumer support and promotion of the circular economy can bring real benefits.
