Consumer-friendly 'right to repair' law comes into effect in the UK

But the new law does not cover laptops and smartphones

A new landmark law giving consumers 'right to repair' has come into force in the UK (1^st July 2021), enabling consumers to fix their electrical and electronic appliances more easily.

Under the new rules, manufacturers are legally required to make spare parts of their products available to both consumers and third-party repair firms.

The right to repair law is designed to tackle 'built-in obsolescence' where companies deliberately build appliances that break down after a certain period of time. With no spare parts available in the market, consumers have no other option than to buy a new product.

With the new law, the government expects the lifespan of products to extend by up to 10 years.

"There's been a long-standing view that new products just don't last as long as they used to, with built-in obsolescence a growing concern for many," said consumer group Which?.

"As a result, the call for white goods to last longer than a couple of years is one which will surely be welcome news to most consumers."

Under new rules, manufacturers will ensure that that spare parts for their product are available for at least 7 to 10 years (depending on the part), even after the discontinuation of the products.

In case they launch a new product in the market, they will have a grace period of up to two years to make parts available to customers.

The law, as per the government, will also help make the appliances more energy efficient.

The rules also aim to benefit the environment by reducing about 1.5 million tonnes of electrical waste generated each year in the UK, hence contributing to reducing carbon emissions, the government says.

"Too often electrical items end up in landfill because they are either too costly or difficult to fix, so these new rules requiring manufacturers to make spare parts more widely available are a step in the right direction and should ensure products last longer and help reduce electrical waste," Adam French of Which? stated.

For now, the law only covers refrigeration appliances, washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers, televisions and other electronic displays.

It also covers non-consumer electronics, such as electric motors, light sources, power transformers, welding equipment and refrigerators with a direct sales function, for example, vending machines for cold drinks.

Despite 'televisions and other electronic' items being part of the list, the law does not cover laptops and smartphones.

Microwaves, cookers, tumble dryers and hobs are also not covered.

Some people are also concerned that new rules could make white goods more expensive.

"We don't look to make the cheapest washing machine. We look for one that's going to do the job and last a long time," John Elliot, executive chairman of white goods manufacturer Ebac, told the BBC, claiming that his company already prioritises long life.

"Our focus is reliability - not just a low initial cost," he added.

Overall, Elliot said that legislation will likely affect some of their competitors "who have been in a race to the bottom on prices for many white goods".

The new law is mirrored by efforts in the US, where Representative Joe Morelle introduced the Fair Repair Act, last month. Such measures have been strongly opposed by some technology companies, notably Apple, whose products are frequently criticised for being difficult to repair, or possible only with tools restricted to authorised dealers.