In Strasbourg, on the first day of the European Parliament’s final plenary session of this term, a discussion took place on new regulations promoting the repair of goods both during and after the statutory warranty period. PiS MEP Beata Mazurek spoke during the debate.
Beata Mazurek thanked the rapporteur for their collaboration in Parliament and for the effective negotiations during the trilogue talks. She emphasized that this collaboration has resulted in a text that ensures “optimal benefits for consumers and minimal burdens for businesses.”
“The new regulations mean easier and more accessible repairs for all consumers, which in turn will help extend the lifespan of products,” the MEP said. She noted, however, that currently, when household appliances break down, they are often simply thrown away due to the high cost of replacement parts or their unavailability.
The Polish politician mentioned that this directive also represents a major opportunity for independent repair shops, thanks to the provision of broad access to replacement parts and the facilitation of cross-border repair services. She added that the economy stands to benefit from this. In this context, she highlighted new opportunities for Polish entrepreneurs, as Poland has long had a culture of repairing appliances. “It’s time to leverage our strengths and unlock this potential,” she urged entrepreneurs.
Beata Mazurek expressed her satisfaction that, in its final form, the directive will indeed be a “right to repair” rather than a mandate, as the Commission’s original proposal would have deprived consumers of the freedom to choose between repairing a product and replacing it. “We can use various incentives, but the choice must remain with the consumer,” stated the PiS MEP. As an example of such an incentive, she cited a provision that would ensure consumers who opt for repair during the warranty period receive an additional 12 months of legal protection for their repaired product.
