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New standards adopted by the European Union will make it easier to repair household appliances.
Companies need to extend the life of the machine from 2021 and supply spare parts for the machine for up to 10 years.
The rules apply to lighting, washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators.
But activists on "right to repair" say that only professionals, not consumers, do not go far enough to perform repairs.
The law was prompted by complaints from consumers throughout Europe and North America due to broken machines when the warranty period passed.
Owners usually cannot repair the machine itself or find others at a reasonable price, so you need to buy a replacement.
- & # 39; Right of Repair & # 39; Gathers Strength
This leads to global warming of waste and fuel through the greenhouse gases generated in the manufacturing process of new machines.
In the United States, it is said to have the right to restore ongoing legislation in about 20 states.
According to the new standard of the European Commission, manufacturers must make spare parts such as door gaskets and thermostats available to professional repairmen.
Such parts should be accessible without damaging the product, using commonly available tools.
Activists say that individual consumers should also be able to buy spares and modify their own machines. But manufacturers said this would raise questions about risks and responsibilities.
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Instead, the manufacturer must ensure that the main part of the product can be replaced by an independent specialist.
For UK companies to sell in Europe after Brexit, they must follow the new rules that apply from April 2021.
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The new standard is expected to prolong the life of the device. The rules also include provisions to make the device more energy efficient.
For example, a star rating of the energy efficiency of the device is ratcheted. More than 55{7be40b84a6a43fc4fae13304fce9a2695859798abfc41afd127b9f8b21c5f9c5} of washing machines sold in the EU are marked with A +++ on the label, which seems to make the current regulations outdated.
This measure has directly saved Europe 20 billion euros in annual energy costs since 2030. This is equivalent to 5{7be40b84a6a43fc4fae13304fce9a2695859798abfc41afd127b9f8b21c5f9c5} of EU power consumption.
Chloe Fayole of the environmental group Ecos said:
Libby Peake, the British alliance, told the BBC News:
But Stephane Arditi of the European Environment Bureau said:
“Small independent repairmen can make a significant contribution to the economy and our society. We need to help them do the job. ”
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