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Consumer protection ministers discuss the right to repair in Konstanz
Consumer rights expert Elke Salzmann warns that the EU repairs regulation is a sham. Find out more about their criticism of EU law in Konstanz. Join the discussion!
Consumer protection ministers discuss the right to repair in Konstanz
Since spring, consumers have had the right to repairs according to an EU directive. Despite this requirement, there is currently no specific German law regulating this right. In Konstanz, the consumer protection ministers are dealing with this issue in order to discuss possible measures. Elke Salzmann, member of the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations, was critical of the measures planned by the EU in an interview with SWR. Salzmann warned that the right to repair could simply be a “sham package” and therefore not bring the hoped-for relief for consumers.
A key point of criticism from Salzmann is the high costs associated with repairs, which have not yet been addressed by the EU directive. According to her, it is particularly the expensive repairs compared to buying new ones that deter consumers from having their defective devices repaired. This circumstance underlines the importance of a comprehensive and consumer-friendly regulation in the area of the right to repair.
It remains to be seen how consumer protection ministers and the EU will respond to the criticism from Elke Salzmann and other stakeholders. The discussions and decisions in this area can have a significant impact on consumers' everyday lives and are therefore of great importance. The question arises to what extent the EU directive needs to be adapted or supplemented in order to actually enable the desired improvements for consumers.