How does France’s new ‘right to repair’ rule cover your purchases?
Certain electrical goods benefit from 10-year additional protection
Consumers in France are now better covered by regulations encouraging repairs, in some cases even after a warranty period has expired.
Manufacturers are now required to offer quick and reasonably-priced repairs for certain product types in a bid to improve product lifespan.
A new European directive “promoting the repair of goods” has been in force since July 31.
The directive brings two major changes.
Firstly, if a product breaks during the standard two-year warranty period (garantie légale de conformité) and a consumer opts to repair it rather than replace it, the warranty is extended for an additional year.
Previously, it used to be extended only for a six-month period.
This applies to products of any kind covered by a two-year warranty.
If the manufacturer or seller insists on a replacement rather than a repair, a new two-year warranty will also begin from the date of replacement.
Electrical goods manufacturers must accept repairs
The other major change applies to household electrical goods in 10 categories:
Washing machines and washer-dryers
Dishwashers
Refrigerators
Electronic displays such as TVs
Welding equipment
Vacuum cleaners
Servers and data storage products
Mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets
Tumble dryers
Goods incorporating ‘light means of transport’ batteries (eg a battery for an e-scooter etc)
These goods are covered by a new ‘right to repair’ that lasts considerably longer than the two-year guarantee.
Note that in some cases the warranty only applies to household versions of these goods (for example washing machines and refrigerators) with those used for professionals exempt. More details are available in the directive.
If products in any of the above categories become damaged, the manufacturer must offer you a repair – or you are able to demand one if not offered.
This additional protection lasts for between five and 10 years after purchase, depending on the item. Note this is from purchase, and not from when the standard two-year warranty expires.
These repairs are not free but must be ‘of a reasonable price’ the directive states, alongside being completed in a reasonable period (varying based on item type).
Information on repair services must be easily accessible, either through a product manual or on the manufacturer website. The standard price for the most common repairs must also be available online through the manufacturer.
While manufacturers can reject ‘impossible repairs’, this cannot be for economic reasons such as the cost of spare parts (the directive does not explicitly cover what an ‘impossible’ repair is, however).
They are also prevented from rejecting a product for repair if it has previously been repaired by a third party, including if this also made the product faulty.
The measures apply to all EU companies, and in the case of imported goods, the official importer or company representative for the brand. Where there is no such company, the right to repair becomes the seller’s responsibility.
By 2027, France (and all other EU countries) should set up a website to help consumers find resources to repair items, either through official companies, third-party groups, or community-based repair and recycle initiatives.
Currently, France’s agency for ecological transition (Ademe) runs a similar website that also provides information on self-repair tutorials and information on the ‘bonus réparation’ scheme to receive funding to repair older items rather than buy them new.
