Products that are easier and cheaper to repair, labels that state exactly how long products should function properly and no more electrical appliances that unexpectedly break down after one year – this is what the Socialists and Democrats have achieved today in plenary. This is only the first battle in the fight for a just, sustainable single market. Now, all these proposals must be translated into concrete legislation. The S&Ds will continue to pressure the European Commission until consumers’ rights are fully covered.
Biljana Borzan MEP, S&D vice-president in charge of the internal market and consumer protection, and negotiator on the file, said:
“The result is a great victory for our Group. Despite strong opposition from the conservatives, we managed to win the vote on the efficient tackling of premature obsolescence practices, the right to repair and on mandatory labelling on expected lifespan and reparability. We hope the Commission will follow up this ambitious report with strong legislative proposals. To those who put the interests of the industry before the interests of our citizens I can only say: those who do not cheat our citizens by selling products with built in obsolescence have nothing to fear!"
Christel Schaldemose MEP, S&D spokeswoman on internal market and consumer protection, said:
“Today, we are sending a clear and unambiguous call for the Commission to come forward with a meaningful legislative proposal on the sustainable single market. The S&D Group has pushed for mandatory labelling, a right to repair and a ban on premature obsolescence of products, all of which were adopted in the final text. This is a first success. Now, the ball is in the Commission’s court and we will continue to fight for these priorities. We need concrete action and we need it now.”
