New EU law requires devices to be repairable - Every phone, television or washing machine you buy in Europe must be easier to repair starting tomorrow. That’s when the European Right to Repair Act tak

"Hold my beer" - Nintendo, releasing an EU centric revision. Meanwhile Apple and Samsung are digging up every legal loophole to prevent the law applying to their devices.

The past two phones I bought were not because they broke, but because they stopped being supported on apps that I need to use.

So I saw that my car offered up all sorts of useful diagnostic information for self diagnosing stuff. Was very excited and went to look at it for a generic fault without having to get software to tell me what the fault is. I thought "it's stupid it has fully functional computer display yet tells me basically "contact a dealer, but it's safe to drive" instead of what the problem is. Then I find out that because I'm in the USA, the company keeps it to themselves...

So if they see value in treating regions differently, they will absolutely go out of their way to screw over the regions that will let them.

I've read a couple stories of companies (planning to) release EU-only models there, but non-EU-compliant ones everywhere else.

Just like the USB-c on the iphone

I don't think every corporation is as petty as nintendo

not yet ! we hope !

John deer tractor lost a case that became famous in my rural area (and elsewhere). It now have to let repair shop acces the tools and allow repair on its tractors.

I take the win ! And we continue to push forward in talks, petitions, actions and repairs (autorised or else) Support and/or use open source.

Farming equipment is a particularly annoying one, that and construction vehicles, are becoming increasingly locked down by proprietary software and impossible to maintain yourself. You can't even employ mechanics outside the dealer network in some instances and it will be more so in the future.

microwave ovens..

in fact, make that all kitchen appliances.

Computers are not on it because you will never own one in the future. You will lease them.

yeah "farming equipment" is an important one. fuck john deere

What exactly do you think you’d be able to easily repair on a video game console?

The EU is a complex organization with different power poles and a variety of different interests. Add to that members of parliament do not always understand everything they vote for. And yes: you get bad things, nonsensical rules, but also good things.

Overall, I would say it's positive, but when it's bad it can be brutal.

Edit: I forgot to mention lobbying! Brussels is full of lobbyists!

Seriously, talk about major whiplash with how they do things lmao

All those people in Brussels are out of touch. They live in their own world.

Well when you think about it this is just another form of control over businesses. That’s equally authoritarian.

Makes you think, right? Almost as if the narrative about how dystopian chat control is and how evil EU is doesn't really add up and it's just people repeating some bullshit they read on a blog.

Why is bicycle on the list? A bicycle is the epitome of repairability.

Edit: it got enshittified?

Yes espresso, especially the well known ones(gaggia, rocket, rancilio). They can be repaired!

Phones still have replaceable batteries? I have a Google Pixel 8. How do I even open that thing let alone replace the battery?

No software updates for TVs, if that includes "smart" TVs, is insane. If the panel still works in 30 years, you should still be able to update to a supported OS version for the streaming apps in 30 years. Current "smart" TVs too often get bricked (for normies) by losing update support and then support from all the streaming apps.

The "mobile device" one is outdated isn't it? They added a water proofing exemption to the battery initiative which exempts any product that may be exposed to water, which exempts mobile devices, smart watches and outdoor equipment from needing removable batteries.

I would classify a non-removable battery as the antithesis of repariability as they use single use glues to hold the covers on, and also usually glue components together as well.

Unless they are saying that even with glued components its still easily repairable? but I disagree

Yeah this could be great. Part of my job involves clearing up fly tip, dumped rubbish, and a shit load of it is electric appliances. Most people don't know how to use a multimeter, but you only need to know someone who does.

Today I repaired my toothbrush after my room mate suggested buying another one that is cheaper than mine amd the same brand as theirs.
Looked up the model, iFixIt manual available, opened it, tightened the screw on the vibrating head for the motor and put it back together.
Working flawlessly again and 50-75€ (or even more) saved.

Having those rules is much better than not having them. Also, IP rating is not enough, batteries also need to have sufficient load cycles. So if it forces them to use only long life batteries that reduces the need for battery repkacements and is already something.

Well it's a start.

Also software... I would love to have regulations that make it clear that the root of trust on all devices need to start by the owner of the device, not by the vendor... That would allow the end users to repair the software on their devices... Replacing it with whatever else they want. Next would be to provide hardware documentation to the owners to program their own devices... I don't expect that to happen, but I can dream.

Flexible / folding displays are not covered

So that's why after almost a decade, only now Apple is ready to launch their foldable

Fitness trackers would be hard to make them easy repairable, when most of them is waterproof

Those aren’t loopholes though, they’re part of the legislation. Phone makers don’t need to “bullshit” their way out of anything if they meet the criteria, which almost every mobile phone released these days does - making the regulation pretty pointless lol

Absolutely not enough. The EU should increase the legal warranty period instead. Standard warranty should go from 2 years to 4 years. That will increase warranty cost for manufacturers, forcing them to make higher quality products.

I can go one further, if you ever want to do a warrenty claim with coffeemate, regardless of how small, they require you to cut the power cord.

I bought a cheap coffeemate coffee maker, and the anti-splash valve that prevents it from brewing fell off, and I lost the o-ring that was part of it as a result.

After 3 different contact points with coffee mate as their public listed email only warranty contact was incorrect and then was bounced to a couple more emails, they agreed it was a manufacturer problem, and that it was covered, but they wanted me to cut the power cord and show proof that the unit was no longer functional, because instead of sending me a 10¢ if that o ring, they wanted me to destroy a other than that one comp a perfectly functional unit, so they could send a whole new unit in it's place.

I bought a cheap oring set on amazon, so now I have more than I would ever need of orings but, at least it's less wasteful.

Mine had Philips screws and was easy to open, but the switch that was broken proved impossible to find as a spare part. It's a shame that I have to bin something that should've been easy to repair.

Most of the time it's not about repairability it's about mitigation of responsibility. If they make it difficult to get into and you do it anyway then burn your house down because you removed the thermistor they have a better case in court.

Malfunctioning water kettles are like one of the biggest causes of houses burning down.

Those not being repairable is a good thing. Because it would only cause more houses to burn down when everyone with a screwdriver can mess up the wiring.

That's the thing about repairing things at home or anywhere else. You need tools to do so and more than just a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. You often special tools. You can get a set of triangle bits for maybe 4 to 5 euros and you will have them for life. So don't be a cheap. Either fix that kettle yourself, pay someone with the skills and tools to fix it, or buy a new one. But don't whinge about not having tools.

And let's also be honest. Some things need to be tamper proof. Most of you ain't smart enough and experienced enough to play with things that can injure/kill you or others, no matter how many youtube videos you watch.

It's a start.

You can always take the next step later.

Presumably the germans must have lobbied tooth and nails against this.

Wont do.
Why?
Exhibit A: Nintendo (Switch)
Exhibit B: Logitech

You can repair it, you just need a proprietary driver, a torque wrench, 5 hands, 18 fingers, and wait 5 months for the part to arrive.

Or just take it to our shop where you can spend 250 bucks to fix your 260 dollar dryer.

I'm excited for an international business to sell a different version of the item for the EU which is "repairable", and one for the US which is riveted and welded closed.

When the EU mandated USB-C, Apple included a bullshit adapter so they could keep their proprietary charger. But of course if someone with an iPhone was visiting my house they wouldn't have an adapter with them. Eventually the EU bitch-slapped Apple over that nonsense and now iPhones have USB-C for charging.

So, companies will definitely try to weasel out of serving consumers, and the EU will eventually sort them out.

I repaired mine last week. The power cable was broken. I had to take the whole thing apart top to bottom and it was a huge pain, but I did it after a few hours and now it's good as new!

For mine replacing the roller belt would require replacing the entire head. So damn wasteful.

Excellebt choice of gif, from my favorite epside of Futurama. Bravo

We absolutely need to fight for a "software right to repair"

With this though I think there is legal stance because prohibitively high prices can be used as grounds to say that a product "can't be repaired". The legal precedent is there, you can't just say "technically we give you the option, it's just $2m".

https://rounded.com/daily-collection-hd4646/

Might not be the cheapest, but there are compatible listed models you can try search for as well.

Maybe there's a fab shop by you that could print the part? Or a local enthusiasts group or something? Never used one so no idea of price but small part, prob not too expensive. I guess finding the part spec would be the challenge. Maybe they can scan the broken one or something. I actually have no clue about 3d printing so this may not be a helpful suggestion 🤷

I hold out the thin hope that manufacturers will not want to split their product lines any more than they have to and will make these devices available globally.

It's possible that they want to hang on to the revenue streams that making irreparable garbage generates, but it would have to be greater than the cost of designing and manufacturing a second product line for most of their stuff.

Kind of how like when dumbass apple was forced into USB-C in the EU and they finally gave up on their own charge cables globally.

I counter !fuckcars@lemmy.world

Depends on how it's done. If they have to make schematics and binaries available, it's different than having to provide parts at whatever cost they'd like.

This is also mentioned in the directive, and directives are legislative texts. The price may not be set so high as to deter repair.

That specifically is such a naked example of planned obolescence i'm still salty that was not already illegal.

I was fuming when the bearing on my Bosh washing machine wore out and without batting an eyelid they wanted to sell me the whole drum assembly. Including mounting springs. Instead of just some bearings.

For the unitiated, that is roughly 70 percent of all the components in the whole machine. Other than the drum assembly there's basicly only some logic boards, some plumbing and the motor.

All that to replace a 20 euro bearing. Which is a "wear part" by the way and should therefore 100 percent be serviceable.

We have right to repair, you have freedom of pedophilia when you're a billionaire.

Maybe it's time for a revolution?

Then make them fear you again.

You should hate the billionaires who own your politicians instead or as well, as they're the root of the problem.

I'll see your "hate our politicians" and raise you a "hate politicians". Your turn now.

The invisible hand of the market will deal with it. Why do you hate america?

Ah fuck boys, we enacted this landmark repairability legislation for daily use machines, but forgot to include video games.

For real though do you mean game consoles, the software?

Games industry is somehow infinitely more corrupt.

Yeah, feels like devil is in the details. Lots of gray area in "repairable".

https://youtu.be/mFeXZNScWxI

They use a loophole to sell basicaly only the whole thing as a single bundle for the price of a new machine. No individual parts for replacement.

Don't worry, the phones don't have to be repairable as long as they are waterproof.

This is purely performative, but won't be overturned.

it's unlikely that spurious/generic parts will work unless they want them to, and even then they'll be less effective.

Their official parts will likely be more expensive, so they'll be easier to repair, but cost a lot more, instead of paying the repair shop.

The devices or machines will no longer become waste as much, but the parts will. Warranties will be voided etc.

What would've been a better law to introduce would be introducing a minimum time limit on planned obsolescence with the right to repair.

Also, in the EU many countries have law that supercedes EU warranty.

If your device has an inherent defect (was always going to break no matter what you did with it) and sometimes may need to be proven in a court of law, The warranty can be extended to 7 years (some countries are shorter).

For example if you buy a TV, and after 4 years it develops a fault outside the normal warranty, and you find out that, that model has a known fault that happens to a few of them, don't try to repair it and void the warranty.

It may be still protected by that warranty in your country.

i mean, you should be able to somehow get the product by buying it in the EU and shipping it to australia yourself. not sure how practical that would be, however.

you'd have to pay the shipping fee yourself and probably also get some re-seller that is willing to buy the product from within the EU and ship it to anywhere else in the world. maybe there could even be a specialized re-seller for this?

Every program is open source

unfortunately the leap from 50 years to 100 years seems harder to do that we thought. see: human life expectancy :/

This law still has a lot of good things in it. Calling it useless is what those companies would want you to do.

Because not everything can be repairable. Design and manufacture often require choices to be made. And you seldom get all of the things you want.

Some items, to safely repair, need a degree and training

Such as microwaves, which if you fuck up, you've either made a bomb or a radiation leak

Because they were paid a lot of money to exclude certain products.

According to the directive, software may not be used to block lawful repairs. But yes, they don't have to give away their intellectual property either.