{"id":6146,"date":"2019-01-09T14:56:03","date_gmt":"2019-01-09T14:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/climate-change-right-to-repair-gathers-force\/"},"modified":"2019-01-09T14:56:03","modified_gmt":"2019-01-09T14:56:03","slug":"climate-change-right-to-repair-gathers-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.styledeals.co.uk\/blog\/climate-change-right-to-repair-gathers-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Climate change: ‘Right to repair’ gathers force"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It is frustrating: you buy a new appliance then just after the warranty runs out, it gives up the ghost. <\/p>\n

You can\u2019t repair it and can\u2019t find anyone else to at a decent price, so it joins the global mountain of junk.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re forced to buy a replacement, which fuels climate change from the greenhouse gases released in the manufacturing process.<\/p>\n

But help is at hand, because citizens in the EU and parts of the USA will soon get a “right to repair” – of sorts. <\/a><\/p>\n

This consists of a series of proposals from European environment ministers to force manufacturers to make goods that last longer and are easier to mend.<\/p>\n

The European proposals refer to lighting, televisions and large home appliances.<\/p>\n

At least 18 US states are considering similar laws<\/a> in a growing backlash against products which can\u2019t be prised apart because they\u2019re glued together, or which don\u2019t have a supply of spare parts, or repair instructions.<\/p>\n

How will the Right to Repair happen?<\/h2>\n

European environment ministers have a series of proposals forcing manufacturers to make goods that last longer and are easier to mend. The European proposals refer to lighting, televisions and large home appliances.<\/p>\n

Plans for the EU Ecodesign Directive are complex and controversial. Manufacturers say the proposed rules on repairability are too strict and will stifle innovation.<\/p>\n

Consumer campaigners complain the EU Commission has allowed firms to keep control of the repair process by insisting some products are mended by professionals under the control of manufacturers. <\/p>\n

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) said: \u201cThis restricts the access of independent repairers to spare parts and information – and that limits the scope and affordability of repair services.\u201d The EEB also wants other products like smart phones and printers included in the legislation.<\/p>\n

How will it help the environment?<\/h2>\n

Green groups say legislation under way in Europe and the US represents progress towards saving carbon emissions and using resources more wisely.<\/p>\n

Libby Peake from the think tank Green Alliance told BBC News: \u201cThe new rules are a definite improvement. We think they could have been better, but it\u2019s good news that at last politicians are waking up to an issue that the public have recognised as a problem for a long time. The new rules will benefit the environment and save resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

What has driven the changes?<\/h2>\n

The policies have been driven by some arresting statistics.<\/p>\n