A new EU directive to promote the repair of goods entered into force yesterday. The new rules promote more sustainable consumption by making it easier to repair faulty products and encouraging consumers to repair defective products instead of replacing them. The Directive will benefit consumers by avoiding the costs of buying new products and reducing […]
Circular economy: new EU rules on right to repair
The Council has today adopted a directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, also known as the right-to-repair (or R2R) directive. This legislation will make it easier for consumers to seek repair instead of replacement and repair services will become more accessible, transparent and attractive. The adoption of the directive is the last step in […]
Repair rather than buy: New European legislation to promote repair of products and devices
Parliament adopted its negotiating position on new measures to strengthen the right to repair and reduce the environmental impact of mass consumption. On last Tuesday, Parliament adopted its position on a stronger “right to repair” for consumers, with 590 votes in favour, 15 against, and 15 abstentions. The proposal aims to encourage more sustainable consumption, […]
EU-funded project develops robots capable of detecting damage and repairing themselves
When humans and animals are injured such as from a cut, they are able to heal over time. However, for broken robots, this often means replacement parts are needed. This not only impacts on the environment, but these parts can be costly. The EU-funded SHERO project had a radical vision of developing fully autonomous self […]
How does self-healing concrete work?
EU policies are increasingly geared towards a more circular economy, driven by more sustainable materials, technologies, practices and behaviour. Efforts to decrease needless waste often cite the ‘five Rs’ – refuse, reduce, reuse (or repair), repurpose and recycle – as a means to achieve this. Currently, fixing damage or deterioration to physical infrastructure, such as […]
Right to repair: MEPs want more durable and more easily repairable products
A new “right to repair” must cover designing long-lasting products that can be fixed, as well as more informative labelling and extended guarantee rights. Parliament adopted on Thursday its demands for an upcoming European Commission proposal on the right to repair planned for later in 2022, with 509 votes in favour, 3 against and 13 […]