EU decides on Right to Repair

October 27, 2023

EU Decides on Right to Repair: Why hörbert is a Pioneer in this Movement

On 25.10.2023, the Internal Market Committee of the European Commission voted on their March legislative proposal, marking an important step towards sustainability and environmental protection by introducing the “Right to Repair.” This decision holds significant implications for consumers and manufacturers. The EU Parliament still needs to agree with the Council of Ministers on a common approach to implementation before the new law can take effect. Experts estimate this is merely a formality, as the law is widely supported.

The Right to Repair in the EU

The Right to Repair is a groundbreaking initiative that will enable consumers to use their devices longer and reduce environmental impact through waste reduction. E-waste, in particular, has become a growing problem, as many products become unusable shortly after purchase and end up in landfills. This burdens the environment and contributes to the wastage of valuable resources. The new resolution now requires manufacturers to design products that are reparable, allowing consumers to repair household appliances themselves or have them repaired by professionals.

Limitation to Specific Product Groups

The directive for manufacturers does not apply to all products. The commission has limited the scope to products for which there are repairability requirements in the “EU Ecodesign Regulations.” These mainly include household appliances but also smartphones and laptops. For example, washing machines should be repairable ten years after purchase. Additionally, EU lawmakers have included bicycles. If a product is repaired by the manufacturer, it has a one-year warranty again.

hörbert: A Pioneer in Repairability

hörbert, the beautiful wooden music box, was developed as a high-quality, robust, and durable audio player for children. The idea behind hörbert was to create a device that not only offers high-quality sound but also withstands the challenges of everyday life with children.

In the event of an accident where hörbert gets damaged, we as a manufacturer can replace or repair all parts. We also offer some spare parts in our shop at hoerbert.com, so you can repair it yourself. This not only contributes to reducing electronic waste but also ensures that families can enjoy their hörberts for a long time. Because hörbert quickly becomes beloved, it would be terrible if this faithful and cherished musical companion had to be disposed of.