Blog
Have a read of some of the stories we have to share! Feel free to drop a comment on any blog with your own thoughts and feelings!
- AlanMrComputer
- 17 December 2022
Blog Post Three
The European Parliament has long been looking at the problem of waste when it comes to electronic goods. There has been a massive surge in companies creating products with a built in “throwaway culture”, forcing customers to spend more on unnecessary replacements. Fortunately for users there is now new legislation to enforce a “right to repair” and before leaving the EU, the UK agreed to bring in laws similar within the UK. These laws are now in place as of 1st July 2021, but what does that mean for us?
The new law requires that companies must make spare parts available for certain products. These parts should be available within two years of the product’s release, and up to seven or ten years after its discontinuation depending on the type of product. Some of the spare parts are only available to professionals where the repair associated with it is considered more complicated, whilst others, deemed simpler are available for everyone.
This is good news but unfortunately the categories or types of goods this applies to right now is still fairly limited and only applies to products purchased after 1st July. Including a selection of non-consumer products, right to repair laws currently only apply to:
- Dishwashers
- Fridges
- Washing Machines
- Electronic Displays includes Televisions
Whilst you may hope that the electronic displays category includes tablets, smartphones and laptops, it does not. It’s really good to see steps being taken in the right direction, but here at “Mr Computer Ltd” we are really dissapointed that more hasn’t been done in the area of computer products.