BETA


2016/2272(INI) Longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead IMCO DURAND Pascal (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE) SZEJNFELD Adam (icon: PPE PPE), JAAKONSAARI Liisa (icon: S&D S&D), DALTON Daniel (icon: ECR ECR), CHARANZOVÁ Dita (icon: ALDE ALDE), PIMENTA LOPES João (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), ZULLO Marco (icon: EFDD EFDD)
Committee Opinion ENVI SCHALDEMOSE Christel (icon: S&D S&D) Birgit COLLIN-LANGEN (icon: PPE PPE), Jørn DOHRMANN (icon: ECR ECR), Mireille D'ORNANO (icon: ENF ENF), Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL), Gesine MEISSNER (icon: ALDE ALDE)
Committee Opinion ITRE
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2017/12/01
   Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2017/07/04
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2017/07/04
   EP - Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 662 votes to 32, with 2 abstentions, a resolution on a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies.

A study carried out in July 2016 at the request of its Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection showed that broad-based policy measures are needed to promote a longer lifetime for products , in particular by tackling programmed obsolescence. In a Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2014, 77 % of EU consumers said that they would prefer to try to repair broken goods than to buy new ones.

Designing robust, durable and high-quality products : the Commission shall encourage the establishment of minimum resistance criteria covering, inter alia , robustness, repairability and upgradeability for each product category from the design stage onwards, facilitated by standards developed by all three European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI).

The manufacturer’s commercial offer shall include:

product durability, extended warranties, the availability of spare parts, ease of repair and the interchangeability of component.

Members highlighted the role of commercial strategies, such as product leasing , in the design of sustainable products. They called to support producers of modular designs which are easy to dismantle and interchange.

The pursuit of product durability and repairability should go alongside the objective of sustainability by means of, for instance, the use of environmentally friendly materials.

Promoting repairability and longevity : Members called on the Commission to carry out a series of actions in this regard, such as:

facilitating measures that make the option to repair goods attractive to the consumer and encourage the use of construction techniques and materials that render repair of the item or the replacement of its components easier; including the product’s repairability among its essential features when beneficial, and by discouraging, unless justified for safety reasons, the fixing-in of essential components such as batteries and LEDs into products; providing maintenance guides and repair indications at the time of purchase; ensuring the possibility of using substitutes of equal quality and performance for original parts; encouraging manufacturers to develop battery technology to ensure that the lifespan of the batteries and accumulators better matches the expected lifespan of the product ; encouraging the accessibility of spare parts and safeguarding the option of going to an independent repairer; stimulating repairs and second-hand sales , and to develop repairs training; discouraging technical, safety or software solutions which prevent repairs from being performed by an independent repairer.

Operating a usage-oriented economic model and supporting SMEs and employment in the EU : Member States are invited to:

consult with all stakeholders concerned in order to encourage the development of a usage-based sales model which benefits everyone;

adopt measures to promote the development of the functional economy, and to encourage the rental, exchange and borrowing of goods; encourage local and regional authorities actively promoting the development of economic models, such as the collaborative economy and the circular economy; maintain electrical and electronic appliances at their utmost usefulness and value and not to consider them as waste; effectively monitor the market to ensure that both European or imported products comply with ecodesign requirements.

The Commission should consider how the replaceability of LED bulbs can be encouraged and facilitated and consider, in addition to ecodesign measures, a less stringent approach involving, for example, an extended warranty if the bulbs cannot be removed.

Measures on planned obsolescence : the Commission shall:

propose an EU-level definition of planned obsolescence for tangible goods and software; examine the possibility of establishing an independent system that could test and detect the built-in obsolescence in products. Members called, in this connection, for better legal protection for ‘whistle-blowers’ and appropriate dissuasive measures for producers.

Parliament encouraged transparency from suppliers and manufacturers by stipulations in product contracts of the minimum period for which security updates on operating systems are available. They proposed that a definition of a reasonable period of use be established .

Ensuring better information for consumers : the Commission is called on to improve product durability information via the consideration of a voluntary European label , covering, in particular the product’s durability via the creation of a usage meter for the most relevant consumer products, in particular large electrical appliances.

Members called for measures to promote consumer awareness about early failing and non-repairable products, where appropriate through the development of notification platforms for consumers.

Lastly, Parliament suggested strengthening the right to the legal guarantee of conformity , a reference to the guarantee to appear written out in full on the invoice for the purchase of the product. It called for the implementation of a complaints mechanism at EU level for cases in which the right to a guarantee is not implemented.

Documents
2017/07/04
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2017/07/03
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2017/06/09
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
Details

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted an own-initiative report by Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) on a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies.

The study commissioned by the committee on the internal market and consumer protection showed that broad-based policy measures are needed to promote a longer lifetime for products , in particular by tackling programmed obsolescence.

In a Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2014, 77 % of EU consumers said that they would prefer to try to repair broken goods than to buy new ones.

Designing robust, durable and high-quality products : the Commission shall encourage the establishment of minimum resistance criteria covering, inter alia, robustness, repairability and upgradeability for each product category from the design stage onwards, facilitated by standards developed by all three European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI).

The manufacturer’s commercial offer shall include:

product durability, extended warranties, the availability of spare parts, ease of repair and the interchangeability of component.

Members called on the Commission and the Member States to support producers of modular designs which are easy to dismantle and interchange. The pursuit of product durability and repairability should go alongside the objective of sustainability by means of, for instance, the use of environmentally friendly materials.

Promoting repairability and longevity : Members called on the Commission to carry out a series of actions in this regard, such as:

using construction techniques and materials that render repair of the item or the replacement of its components easier; including the product’s repairability among its essential features when beneficial, and by discouraging, unless justified for safety reasons, the fixing-in of essential components such as batteries and LEDs into products; ensuring the possibility of using substitutes of equal quality and performance for original parts; encouraging manufacturers to develop battery technology to ensure that the lifespan of the batteries and accumulators better matches the expected lifespan of the product ; encouraging the accessibility of spare parts ; stimulating repairs and second-hand sales, and to develop repairs training; discouraging technical, safety or software solutions which prevent repairs from being performed other than by approved firms or bodies.

Operating a usage-oriented economic model and supporting SMEs and employment in the EU : Member States are invited to: (i) consult with all stakeholders concerned in order to encourage the development of a usage-based sales model which benefits everyone; (ii) adopt measures to promote the development of the functional economy, and to encourage the rental, exchange and borrowing of goods; (iii) encourage local and regional authorities actively promoting the development of economic models, such as the collaborative economy and the circular economy.

The Commission should consider how the replaceability of LED bulbs can be encouraged and facilitated and consider, in addition to ecodesign measures, a less stringent approach involving, for example, an extended warranty if the bulbs cannot be removed.

Measures on planned obsolescence : the Commission is called upon to propose, in consultation with consumer organisations, producers and other stakeholders, an EU-level definition of planned obsolescence for tangible goods and software. Moreover, the importance of sharing best practices to combat planned obsolescence and to extend the lifespan of (electrical) household appliances has been stressed.

Members encouraged transparency from suppliers and manufacturers by stipulations in product contracts of the minimum period for which security updates on operating systems are available. They proposed that a definition of a reasonable period of use be established.

Ensuring better information for consumers : the Commission is called on to improve product durability information via the consideration of a voluntary European label , covering, in particular the product’s durability. Members called for measures to promote consumer awareness about early failing and non-repairable products, where appropriate through the development of notification platforms for consumers.

The report also suggested strengthening the right to the legal guarantee of conformity, a reference to the guarantee to appear written out in full on the invoice for the purchase of the product. It called for the implementation of a complaints mechanism at EU level for cases in which the right to a guarantee is not implemented.

Documents
2017/05/30
   EP - Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
2017/04/11
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2017/02/15
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2016/12/22
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2016/11/24
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
2016/11/14
   EP - Committee Opinion
2015/01/21
   EP - Responsible Committee

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0214/2017 - Pascal Durand - Résolution 04/07/2017 12:57:11.000 #

2017/07/04 Outcome: +: 662, -: 32, 0: 2
DE FR IT PL ES RO GB BE HU CZ PT AT EL NL BG FI SK SE DK LT HR IE LV SI LU EE CY MT
Total
91
69
65
51
49
30
61
20
20
21
17
16
21
23
16
13
13
17
12
11
11
9
8
8
6
6
6
5
icon: PPE PPE
202

Sweden PPE

Abstain (1)

3

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
3

Luxembourg PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Cyprus PPE

1

Malta PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
178

Netherlands S&D

3

Croatia S&D

2

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Malta S&D

3
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

Romania ALDE

3

Portugal ALDE

1

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Latvia ALDE

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

3
icon: ECR ECR
68

Italy ECR

Against (1)

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

1

Czechia ECR

2

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

Against (1)

2
2

Lithuania ECR

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Cyprus ECR

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
49

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Sweden Verts/ALE

3

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
47

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Netherlands GUE/NGL

2

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2
icon: ENF ENF
36
2

Romania ENF

1

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

For (1)

1

Austria ENF

3

Netherlands ENF

4
icon: NI NI
16

Germany NI

2

France NI

2

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

Against (2)

3

Hungary NI

2
icon: EFDD EFDD
36

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

France EFDD

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

1

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
AmendmentsDossier
344 2016/2272(INI)
2017/02/15 IMCO 225 amendments...
source: 599.599
2017/03/08 ENVI 119 amendments...
source: 599.888

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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activities
  • date: 2016-11-24T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2016-11-14T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: S&D name: SCHALDEMOSE Christel body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: SZEJNFELD Adam group: S&D name: JAAKONSAARI Liisa group: ECR name: DALTON Daniel group: ALDE name: CHARANZOVÁ Dita group: GUE/NGL name: PIMENTA LOPES João group: EFD name: ZULLO Marco responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2015-01-21T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: DURAND Pascal body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
  • date: 2017-05-30T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2016-11-14T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: S&D name: SCHALDEMOSE Christel body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: SZEJNFELD Adam group: S&D name: JAAKONSAARI Liisa group: ECR name: DALTON Daniel group: ALDE name: CHARANZOVÁ Dita group: GUE/NGL name: PIMENTA LOPES João group: EFD name: ZULLO Marco responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2015-01-21T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: DURAND Pascal body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
  • date: 2017-06-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0214&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A8-0214/2017 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2017-07-03T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20170703&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-07-04T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0287 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0287/2017 body: EP type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
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IMCO
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2015-01-21T00:00:00
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shadows
committees/0
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date
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committees/1
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Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
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2016-11-14T00:00:00
rapporteur
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committees/1
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shadows
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IMCO
date
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committees/2
type
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body
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docs
  • date: 2016-12-22T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE595.614 title: PE595.614 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2017-02-15T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE599.599 title: PE599.599 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2017-04-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE595.378&secondRef=02 title: PE595.378 committee: ENVI type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2017-12-01T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=29938&j=0&l=en title: SP(2017)619 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2016-11-24T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-05-30T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2017-06-09T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2017-0214&language=EN title: A8-0214/2017 summary: The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted an own-initiative report by Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) on a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies. The study commissioned by the committee on the internal market and consumer protection showed that broad-based policy measures are needed to promote a longer lifetime for products , in particular by tackling programmed obsolescence. In a Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2014, 77 % of EU consumers said that they would prefer to try to repair broken goods than to buy new ones. Designing robust, durable and high-quality products : the Commission shall encourage the establishment of minimum resistance criteria covering, inter alia, robustness, repairability and upgradeability for each product category from the design stage onwards, facilitated by standards developed by all three European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI). The manufacturer’s commercial offer shall include: product durability, extended warranties, the availability of spare parts, ease of repair and the interchangeability of component. Members called on the Commission and the Member States to support producers of modular designs which are easy to dismantle and interchange. The pursuit of product durability and repairability should go alongside the objective of sustainability by means of, for instance, the use of environmentally friendly materials. Promoting repairability and longevity : Members called on the Commission to carry out a series of actions in this regard, such as: using construction techniques and materials that render repair of the item or the replacement of its components easier; including the product’s repairability among its essential features when beneficial, and by discouraging, unless justified for safety reasons, the fixing-in of essential components such as batteries and LEDs into products; ensuring the possibility of using substitutes of equal quality and performance for original parts; encouraging manufacturers to develop battery technology to ensure that the lifespan of the batteries and accumulators better matches the expected lifespan of the product ; encouraging the accessibility of spare parts ; stimulating repairs and second-hand sales, and to develop repairs training; discouraging technical, safety or software solutions which prevent repairs from being performed other than by approved firms or bodies. Operating a usage-oriented economic model and supporting SMEs and employment in the EU : Member States are invited to: (i) consult with all stakeholders concerned in order to encourage the development of a usage-based sales model which benefits everyone; (ii) adopt measures to promote the development of the functional economy, and to encourage the rental, exchange and borrowing of goods; (iii) encourage local and regional authorities actively promoting the development of economic models, such as the collaborative economy and the circular economy. The Commission should consider how the replaceability of LED bulbs can be encouraged and facilitated and consider, in addition to ecodesign measures, a less stringent approach involving, for example, an extended warranty if the bulbs cannot be removed. Measures on planned obsolescence : the Commission is called upon to propose, in consultation with consumer organisations, producers and other stakeholders, an EU-level definition of planned obsolescence for tangible goods and software. Moreover, the importance of sharing best practices to combat planned obsolescence and to extend the lifespan of (electrical) household appliances has been stressed. Members encouraged transparency from suppliers and manufacturers by stipulations in product contracts of the minimum period for which security updates on operating systems are available. They proposed that a definition of a reasonable period of use be established. Ensuring better information for consumers : the Commission is called on to improve product durability information via the consideration of a voluntary European label , covering, in particular the product’s durability. Members called for measures to promote consumer awareness about early failing and non-repairable products, where appropriate through the development of notification platforms for consumers. The report also suggested strengthening the right to the legal guarantee of conformity, a reference to the guarantee to appear written out in full on the invoice for the purchase of the product. It called for the implementation of a complaints mechanism at EU level for cases in which the right to a guarantee is not implemented.
  • date: 2017-07-03T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20170703&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2017-07-04T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=29938&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2017-07-04T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2017-0287 title: T8-0287/2017 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 662 votes to 32, with 2 abstentions, a resolution on a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies. A study carried out in July 2016 at the request of its Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection showed that broad-based policy measures are needed to promote a longer lifetime for products , in particular by tackling programmed obsolescence. In a Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2014, 77 % of EU consumers said that they would prefer to try to repair broken goods than to buy new ones. Designing robust, durable and high-quality products : the Commission shall encourage the establishment of minimum resistance criteria covering, inter alia , robustness, repairability and upgradeability for each product category from the design stage onwards, facilitated by standards developed by all three European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI). The manufacturer’s commercial offer shall include: product durability, extended warranties, the availability of spare parts, ease of repair and the interchangeability of component. Members highlighted the role of commercial strategies, such as product leasing , in the design of sustainable products. They called to support producers of modular designs which are easy to dismantle and interchange. The pursuit of product durability and repairability should go alongside the objective of sustainability by means of, for instance, the use of environmentally friendly materials. Promoting repairability and longevity : Members called on the Commission to carry out a series of actions in this regard, such as: facilitating measures that make the option to repair goods attractive to the consumer and encourage the use of construction techniques and materials that render repair of the item or the replacement of its components easier; including the product’s repairability among its essential features when beneficial, and by discouraging, unless justified for safety reasons, the fixing-in of essential components such as batteries and LEDs into products; providing maintenance guides and repair indications at the time of purchase; ensuring the possibility of using substitutes of equal quality and performance for original parts; encouraging manufacturers to develop battery technology to ensure that the lifespan of the batteries and accumulators better matches the expected lifespan of the product ; encouraging the accessibility of spare parts and safeguarding the option of going to an independent repairer; stimulating repairs and second-hand sales , and to develop repairs training; discouraging technical, safety or software solutions which prevent repairs from being performed by an independent repairer. Operating a usage-oriented economic model and supporting SMEs and employment in the EU : Member States are invited to: consult with all stakeholders concerned in order to encourage the development of a usage-based sales model which benefits everyone; adopt measures to promote the development of the functional economy, and to encourage the rental, exchange and borrowing of goods; encourage local and regional authorities actively promoting the development of economic models, such as the collaborative economy and the circular economy; maintain electrical and electronic appliances at their utmost usefulness and value and not to consider them as waste; effectively monitor the market to ensure that both European or imported products comply with ecodesign requirements. The Commission should consider how the replaceability of LED bulbs can be encouraged and facilitated and consider, in addition to ecodesign measures, a less stringent approach involving, for example, an extended warranty if the bulbs cannot be removed. Measures on planned obsolescence : the Commission shall: propose an EU-level definition of planned obsolescence for tangible goods and software; examine the possibility of establishing an independent system that could test and detect the built-in obsolescence in products. Members called, in this connection, for better legal protection for ‘whistle-blowers’ and appropriate dissuasive measures for producers. Parliament encouraged transparency from suppliers and manufacturers by stipulations in product contracts of the minimum period for which security updates on operating systems are available. They proposed that a definition of a reasonable period of use be established . Ensuring better information for consumers : the Commission is called on to improve product durability information via the consideration of a voluntary European label , covering, in particular the product’s durability via the creation of a usage meter for the most relevant consumer products, in particular large electrical appliances. Members called for measures to promote consumer awareness about early failing and non-repairable products, where appropriate through the development of notification platforms for consumers. Lastly, Parliament suggested strengthening the right to the legal guarantee of conformity , a reference to the guarantee to appear written out in full on the invoice for the purchase of the product. It called for the implementation of a complaints mechanism at EU level for cases in which the right to a guarantee is not implemented.
  • date: 2017-07-04T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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    • The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted an own-initiative report by Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR) on a longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies.

      The study commissioned by the committee on the internal market and consumer protection showed that broad-based policy measures are needed to promote a longer lifetime for products, in particular by tackling programmed obsolescence.

      In a Eurobarometer survey conducted in June 2014, 77 % of EU consumers said that they would prefer to try to repair broken goods than to buy new ones.

      Designing robust, durable and high-quality products: the Commission shall encourage the establishment of minimum resistance criteria covering, inter alia, robustness, repairability and upgradeability for each product category from the design stage onwards, facilitated by standards developed by all three European Standardisation Organisations (ESOs) (CEN, CENELEC and ETSI).

      The manufacturer’s commercial offer shall include:

      • product durability,
      • extended warranties,
      • the availability of spare parts,
      • ease of repair and the interchangeability of component.

      Members called on the Commission and the Member States to support producers of modular designs which are easy to dismantle and interchange. The pursuit of product durability and repairability should go alongside the objective of sustainability by means of, for instance, the use of environmentally friendly materials.

      Promoting repairability and longevity: Members called on the Commission to carry out a series of actions in this regard, such as:

      • using construction techniques and materials that render repair of the item or the replacement of its components easier;
      • including the product’s repairability among its essential features when beneficial, and by discouraging, unless justified for safety reasons,  the fixing-in of essential components such as batteries and LEDs into products;
      • ensuring the possibility of using substitutes of equal quality and performance for original parts;
      • encouraging manufacturers to develop battery technology to ensure that the lifespan of the batteries and accumulators better matches the expected lifespan of the product ;
      • encouraging the accessibility of spare parts;
      • stimulating repairs and second-hand sales, and to develop repairs training;
      • discouraging technical, safety or software solutions which prevent repairs from being performed other than by approved firms or bodies.

      Operating a usage-oriented economic model and supporting SMEs and employment in the EU: Member States are invited to: (i) consult with all stakeholders concerned in order to encourage the development of a usage-based sales model which benefits everyone; (ii) adopt measures to promote the development of the functional economy, and to encourage the rental, exchange and borrowing of goods; (iii) encourage local and regional authorities actively promoting the development of economic models, such as the collaborative economy and the circular economy.

      The Commission should consider how the replaceability of LED bulbs can be encouraged and facilitated and consider, in addition to ecodesign measures, a less stringent approach involving, for example, an extended warranty if the bulbs cannot be removed.

      Measures on planned obsolescence: the Commission is called upon to propose, in consultation with consumer organisations, producers and other stakeholders, an EU-level definition of planned obsolescence for tangible goods and software. Moreover, the importance of sharing best practices to combat planned obsolescence and to extend the lifespan of (electrical) household appliances has been stressed.

      Members encouraged transparency from suppliers and manufacturers by stipulations in product contracts of the minimum period for which security updates on operating systems are available. They proposed that a definition of a reasonable period of use be established.

      Ensuring better information for consumers: the Commission is called on to improve product durability information via the consideration of a voluntary European label, covering, in particular the product’s durability. Members called for measures to promote consumer awareness about early failing and non-repairable products, where appropriate through the development of notification platforms for consumers.

      The report also suggested strengthening the right to the legal guarantee of conformity, a reference to the guarantee to appear written out in full on the invoice for the purchase of the product. It called for the implementation of a complaints mechanism at EU level for cases in which the right to a guarantee is not implemented.

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      • body: EP responsible: False committee: ENVI date: 2016-11-14T00:00:00 committee_full: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety rapporteur: group: S&D name: SCHALDEMOSE Christel
      • body: EP shadows: group: EPP name: SZEJNFELD Adam group: S&D name: JAAKONSAARI Liisa group: ECR name: MCCLARKIN Emma group: ALDE name: CHARANZOVÁ Dita group: GUE/NGL name: PIMENTA LOPES João group: EFD name: ZULLO Marco responsible: True committee: IMCO date: 2015-01-21T00:00:00 committee_full: Internal Market and Consumer Protection rapporteur: group: Verts/ALE name: DURAND Pascal
      • body: EP responsible: False committee_full: Industry, Research and Energy committee: ITRE
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        2016/2272(INI)
        title
        Longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies
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        Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
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