Towards an Effective Right to Repair for Electronics

Overcoming legal, political and supply barriers to contribute to circular electronics in the EU

Digital technologies are essential for achieving the EU’s climate ambitions. At the same time electronic devices and infrastructures carry high environmental and social costs due to their resource intensity, complex global supply chains and the linear nature of the industry (from mining to waste).
The Commission’s Circular Electronics Initiative (CEI), as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), will offer a holistic approach to tackling this problem. The report focusses on the Right to Repair as one key aspect of the CEI with a particular emphasis on consumer electronic products, notably smartphones, tablets and laptops.
A set of recommendations looks at elements essential in the implementation of a right to repair. This includes for example more modular designs as well as access to spare parts, tools, repair information and manuals and potential solutions to obtain reparability information upon purchase. Influencing consumer behaviours and preferences with education, communication and nudging, can help promote repair over replacement. The report focuses on recommendations addressing legal barriers, including IP barriers, fiscal incentives and other innovative solutions.

MOESLINGER Margot; ALMASY Kristof; JAMARD Marion; DE MAUPEOU Hugues

2022-08-05

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC129957

978-92-76-55230-7 (online)

1831-9424 (online)

EUR 31167 EN , OP KJ-NA-31-167-EN-N (online)