Repair cafés: The rescue against planned obsolescence in Stendal!

Repair cafés: The rescue against planned obsolescence in Stendal!

Repair cafes in Germany, including Cologne, have become more important in recent years. These innovative institutions not only offer an inexpensive alternative to buying new devices, but also promote awareness of sustainability and consumer rights. An example of this is the Repair Café in Stendal, Saxony-Anhalt, which is considered a pioneer to help consumers when repairing everyday objects. According to the Saxony-Anhalt consumer center, 89% of consumers are interested in repairs, but only about 23% of the defective devices are actually repaired. There is a clear potential for improvement here, and that should change.

Susanne Riedel from the consumer advice center calls for a nationwide platform for reliable repair companies and premiums for repaired devices. "Consumers have to become more active to use the repair options," said Riedel. Dietrich Zosel from the Repair Café suggests that an extension of the guarantee times could motivate manufacturers to develop durable and repairable products. The discussion about planned obsolescence and the responsibility of the manufacturers has been conducted for years. This topic is now more than ever through the new regulations of the European Union.

European guidelines for repair

On February 1, 2024, the European Parliament and the Member States agreed on new rules for “right to repair”. This initiative aims to enable simpler and cheaper repairs for technically repairable devices. Manufacturers are now obliged to provide public information on their repair services and the costs of common repairs. In addition, Member States have to introduce measures such as repair vouchers or repair funds to promote repairs. These new rules come up with an urgent need for sustainable consumption and less disposable mentality it-boltwise.de.

A European repair platform should soon offer support so that consumers can find more than repair workshops. The large number of products affected ranges from household appliances such as washing machines to smartphones. However, it should be noted that furniture and headphones have so far not been part of the regulations and cars remain excluded from this initiative. In Switzerland, the Environmental Protection Act is also adapted to improve requirements for the lifespan of products [consumer protection.

The way to a sustainable future

On July 30, 2024, the “right to repair” guideline came into force, which is part of the European Green Deal. This measure complements the ecodesign regulation, which must also be implemented to a sustainable product design and must also be implemented in national law in Austria until July 31, 2026 (https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000239461/recht-Rearbrarturatur-der-gewer-bsolescenz). Despite the positive developments, the challenge of sensitizing consumers and motivating to active participation in repair culture remains. It is important to bring about a change in consciousness that puts the repair and the associated economic and ecological advantages.

The way to a resource -saving and sustainable future is clear at this point: We have to regain responsibility for our consumer decisions and actively advocate a repair -friendly society. The repair culture not only offers economic opportunities, but also makes a decisive contribution to environmental protection by reducing electronic waste.