In Europe, new right-to-repair laws are being implemented to reduce waste, extend product lifespans, and move away from “throw-away” mindsets. Ugo Vallauri, co-founder of The Restart Project in the U.K., discusses the importance of making repairs accessible and affordable for everyone. The organization focuses on repair and electronics, which is the fastest growing source of waste in the world. The goal is to fix the relationship with products, consume less, consume better, and reduce the need for new materials.
The EU is taking concrete steps towards making products more repairable. The European Right to Repair campaign, co-founded by Vallauri, consists of over 150 organizations pushing for legislation to support the consumer’s right to repair. From product design to durability, the EU aims to mandate changes that will make products more repairable. For example, smartphones will need to be supported with software updates for at least five years starting in 2025. The EU will also introduce an online mapping platform listing repair and buyback options.
Financial incentives for repair are being implemented in countries like Austria, France, and parts of Germany, where repair bonuses and vouchers can cut repair costs by up to 50%. Making technology that lasts longer expands access to digital devices, especially for communities with limited resources. Repair laws will help increase global digital access and reduce electronic waste. The new legislation in Europe is expected to have a global impact, as manufacturers will likely make durability and repairability a standard in their products.
Consumers can support the shift towards more repairability and durability by caring for their products, seeking out local repair groups, and questioning over-production and consumption. Partnering with community repair groups and advocating for repair movements in different countries can help promote a more sustainable approach to electronics. Vallauri envisions a future where manufacturers focus on supporting and updating each product version for longer, single-use products disappear, and consumers have better access to what they truly need, reducing the amount of e-waste generated. The repair movement aims to change habits and mindsets around consumption and waste.
