Initiative on improving lifetime for products

Further information:

Accordint to a 2014 Eurobarometer survey, 77% of EU citizens would rather repair their goods than buy new ones, but ultimately have to replace or discard them because they are discouraged by the cost of repairs and the level of service provided.

This report represented the first time an EU institution took a global position on the lifetime of products, either regarding design, repair or reuse of goods, or on measures against planned and software obsolescence.

The European Parliament's internal market and consumer protection committee endorsed on 30 May 2017 an initiative urging the European Union, member states and producers to take measures to ensure consumers can enjoy durable high-quality products that can be repaired.

The plenary session endorse the intitiave on 4 July 2017.

European Parliament: Press Release, 04.07.17: Making consumer products more durable and easier to repair http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20170629IPR78633/

EurActiv, 05.07.17: Parliament calls for legislation against Europe’s throwaway society http://www.euractiv.com/section/circular-economy/news/parliament-calls-for-legislation-against-europes-throwaway-society/

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