There are some products that the modern homeowner simply cannot live without. Fridges, washing machines, dishwashers – collectively known as white goods - are staple members of most households. Unfortunately, nowadays what is also very common, is that when these products break, the default is to replace rather than repair.
While manufacturers are always competing on prices, there will always be deals and offers that catch the eyes of consumers. That being said, the parts for some of these products are considerably less expensive than replacing them completely.
So, what is being done to make sure that the only option for consumers isn’t to part with large amounts of cash when one of their essential items becomes faulty? The right to repair scheme may have the answer.
What is the Right to Repair Scheme?
Right to repair is a new law recently implemented to ensure manufacturers of white goods and other household items produce spare parts to their products.
With the cost of most household electrical items well into the hundreds, the option for consumers to simply purchase spare parts and pay for the labour of an electrician to fix it should save families plenty of money.
Not only this, it has also been put in place to help tackle electrical waste. The UK generates approximately 1.5 tonnes of electrical waste, so significant measures must be made to rectify this.
Why has the Right to Repair Law Been Implemented?
Unfortunately, landfill is a rapidly growing global problem. High levels of methane gas and CO2 is generated by landfill sites which is a high contributor to global warming.
This new law wants to tackle ‘premature obsolescence’, a phrase coined to describe electricals with a purposely short lifespan. Manufacturers do this to make sure that after a certain amount of time, consumers will have to replace their now outdated products with newer models.
The average washing machine should typically last up to 10 years, with the average television said to last up to five years. Very often the warranty on these types of items come nowhere near the actual lifespan, so access to specific parts when this period ends hopes to alleviate strain on pockets and the environment.
What can we Expect from the Right to Repair Law?
Government ministers make the argument that these tougher standards will ensure electrical goods can be fixed rather than being thrown away at the first sign of fault.
The new energy efficiency framework will mean electrical products use even less energy and perform just as efficiently.
The new law follows on from the newly introduced energy labels introduced earlier this year to help consumers understand the efficiency of their products.
With all of us having a part to play in reaching net zero carbon emissions, this is surely a small step in the right direction.
How can Howells Help?
When products become faulty, they can be dangerous to those in the household. Though the new Right to Repair legislation will help the cause in fixing faulty products, if you do suffer an injury from broken appliances, you could be entitled to compensation.
Howells product liability solicitors are here to help. Whether it’s the manufacturing company, the distributor or the goods, the supplier or the retailer, there could be a legitimate claim for you.
For expert legal advice and experienced opinion, contact us today.
