The much-anticipated ‘right to repair’ law entered into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 July.
Published as UK Statutory Instrument 2021/745 and formally entitled The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021 the legislation includes provisions on a number of domestic appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers, fridges and televisions.
Originally an initiative of the European Union, the legislation is – in part – intended to make spare parts for the items concerned more readily available from manufacturers and to enable repairs to be made using everyday tools rather than specially designed ones.
However, as the consumer group Which? notes in this article, the new law doesn’t cover cookers, hobs, tumble dryers, microwaves, laptops or smartphones.
Which? also points out that some spare parts will only be available to professional repairers, rather than to general consumers, and only for a maximum of 10 years (and as little as seven) after a product ceases to be made.
