Dear ViberStore Readers,

Exciting news awaits regarding consumer rights and sustainability in the European Union, potentially impacting your iPhone experience.

Firstly, let's delve into the agreement on new EU consumer protection rules on repair. Thanks to collective efforts and intense campaigning, EU citizens are poised to gain improved access to affordable repairs for selected products. While commendable, there's still scope for enhancement. Key highlights include:

  • Rules ensuring reasonable prices for original parts.
  • Bans on software practices hindering independent repair and limiting the use of compatible and reused spare parts.
  • Encouragement for Member States to introduce repair funds and vouchers.

Although these measures warrant celebration, we're advocating for broader coverage and expanded repair rights. The upcoming European Commission will play a pivotal role in extending these rules to more product categories. Your support in spreading this message is invaluable!

Turning our focus to the recently finalised Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT). While this directive aims to provide clarity for consumers and curb greenwashing practices, it primarily focuses on consumer access to information rather than addressing barriers to repair and early obsolescence practices. Here's what the ECGT entails for iPhone users:

  • Traders must provide reparability information if available to them, including reparability scores and the availability of essential spare parts and repair instructions.
  • Traders are prohibited from presenting misleading information on a product's circularity aspects, such as durability and reparability.
  • Regrettably, there's no ban on early obsolescence, making it challenging to hold manufacturers and sellers accountable for products with short lifespans.

While these directives mark progress in empowering consumers and promoting sustainability, there's still work to be done. We're continuing to advocate for stricter regulations prioritising durability, reparability, and sustainability in product design.

Stay tuned for further updates and ways to support the right to repair movement!

Best regards, ViberStore Team