Activities of Catharina RINZEMA related to 2023/0083(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
Common rules promoting the repair of goods
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules promoting the repair of goods and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2394, Directives (EU) 2019/771 and (EU) 2020/1828
Amendments (33)
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The requirements laid down in delegated acts adopted pursuant to Regulation [on the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products] or implementing measures adopted pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council16 , according to which producers should provide access to spare parts, repair and maintenance information or any repair related software tools, firmware or similar auxiliary means, apply, without prejudice to sensitive business information. Those requirements ensure the technical feasibility of repair, not only by the producer, but also by other repairers. As a consequence, the consumer can select a repairer of its choice and independent operators. To complement those measures, access for independent repairers, independent operators and consumers to spare parts and related information should be provided at a reasonable cost and in a non-discriminatory manner. Consequently, competition should be incentivised and consumers shall benefit from better services and lower prices when selecting a repairer. __________________ 16 Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 285, 31.10.2009, p. 10–35).
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to encourage repair, Member States should ensure that for their territory at least one online platform exists which enables consumers to search for suitable repairers. That platform may be an existing or privately operated platform, if it meets the conditions laid down in this Directive. If such an online platform does not exist, Member States should seek to create one in collaboration with the involved economic operators. That platform should include user-friendly and independent comparison tools which assist consumers in assessing and comparing the merits of different repair service providers, thereby incentivising consumers to choose repair instead of buying new goods. While that platform aims at facilitating the search for repair services in business-to-consumer relationships, Member States are free to extend its scope also to include business- to-business relationships as well as community-led repair initiatives.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In order to facilitate obtaining the European Repair Information Form, the online platform should include the possibility for consumers to directly request that form from the repairer through the online platform. This possibility should be displayed in a prominent manner on the online platform. To create awareness of national online repair platforms and to facilitate access to such platforms across the Union, Member States should ensure that their online platforms are accessible through relevant national webpages connected to the Single Digital Gateway established by Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council20 . To raise consumer awareness of the online platform, Member States should undertake appropriate steps, for instance sign-post the online platform on related national websites or carry . Methods to raise awareness shall take into account communication campaignand be accessible for consumers with low literacy and digital skills. __________________ 20 Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 October 2018 establishing a single digital gateway to provide access to information, to procedures and to assistance and problem-solving services and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Commission should enable the development of a voluntary European quality standard for repair services, for instance by encouraging and facilitating voluntary cooperation on a standard between businesses, public authorities and other stakeholders or by issuing a standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations. A European standard for repair services could boost consumer trust in repair services across the Union. Such standard could include aspects influencing consumer decisions on repair, such as the time to complete repair, the availability of temporary replacement goods, quality assurances such as a commercial guarantee on repair, and the availability of ancillary services such as removal, installation and transportation offered by repairers. Such standard should take into consideration the specific needs of SMEs.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Commission should enable the development of a voluntary European quality standard for repair services within 36 months, for instance by encouraging and facilitating voluntary cooperation on a standard between businesses, public authorities and other stakeholders or by issuing a standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations, including SME representative organisations. A European standard for repair services could boost consumer trust in repair services across the Union. Such standard could include aspects influencing consumer decisions on repair, such as the time to complete repair, the availability of temporary replacement goods, quality assurances such as a commercial guarantee on repair, and the availability of ancillary services such as removal, installation and transportation offered by repairers.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Commission should enable the development of a voluntary European quality standard for repair services, for instance by encouraging and facilitating voluntary cooperation on a standard between businesses, public authorities and other stakeholders or by issuing a standardisation request to the European standardisation organisations. A European standard for repair services could boost consumer trust in repair services across the Union. Such standard could include consumer safety, as well as aspects influencing consumer decisions on repair, such as the time to complete repair, the availability of temporary replacement goods, quality assurances such as a commercial guarantee on repair, and the availability of ancillary services such as removal, installation and transportation offered by repairers.
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) In order to promote repair within the liability of the seller as established in Directive (EU) 2019/771, the harmonised conditions under which the choice between the remedies of repair and replacement can be exercised should be adapted. The principle established in Directive (EU) 2019/771 to use the consideration whether the remedy chosen would impose costs on the seller that are disproportionate as compared to the other remedy, as one of the criteria to determine the applicable remedy, should be maintained. The consumer remains entitled to choose repair over replacement, unless repair would be impossible or it would impose disproportionate costs on the seller as compared to replacement. However, where the costs for replacement are higher than or equal to the costs of repair, the seller should always provide the option to repair the goods. Hence, the consumer is entitledleft free to choose replacement or repair as a remedy only where it is cheaper than repair. Directive (EU) 2019/771 should therefore be amended accordingly.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) Consumers shall have the freedom of choice of where they want to have their goods repaired. This repair can be done by either the producer or an independent repairer. In order for independent repairers to be able to repair the goods, they should have fair access to spare parts, repair related information and tools at reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) In order to allow economic operators to adapt, transitional provisions concerning the application of some Articles of this Directive should be introduced. Thus, the obligations to repair and to provide related information on this obligation should apply to contracts for the provision of repair services after [2430 months after the entry into force]. The amendment to Directive (EU) 2019/771 should apply only to sales contracts concluded after [2430 months after the entry into force] to ensure legal certainty and to provide sellers with sufficient time to adapt to the amended remedies of repair and replacement.
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
2. ‘repairer’ means any natural or legal person who, related to that person’s trade, business, craft or profession, provides a repair service, including producers and sellers that provide repair services and repair service providers whether independent or affiliated with such producers or sellers;, as well as repair cafés.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
10a. ‘independent operator’ is a natural or legal person, other than an authorised dealer or repairer, who is directly or indirectly involved in the repair and maintenance of the product, and include repairers, manufacturers or distributors of repair equipment, tools or spare parts, as well as publishers of technical information, assistance operators, operators offering inspection and testing services, operators offering training for installers and remote service suppliers.
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Member States shall not maintain or introduce in their national law provisions diverging from those laid down in this Directive in order to achieve a better functioning of the internal market.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The repairer may request the consumer to pay the necessary costs the repairer incurs for providing the information included in the European Repair Information Form. Where a physical examination of the product is required for estimating the price of repair, the repairer may request the consumer to pay the necessary costs involved for such physical examination.
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Producers shall provide in a clear manner all available information necessary for the repairer to complete the European Repair Information Form.
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. The European Repair Information Form shall, where relevant and possible, specify the following conditions of repair in a clear and comprehensible manner:
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. The repairer shall not alter the conditions of repair specified in the European Repair Information Form for a period of 30 calendar days as from the date on which that form was provided to the consumer, unless the repairer and the consumer have agreed otherwise or in the event of obvious mistakes, such as typos. If a contract for the provision of repair services is concluded within the 30 day period, the conditions of repair specified in the European Repair Information Form shall constitute an integral part of that contract.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that upon the consumer’s request, the producer shall repair, for free or against a price or another kind of consideration, goods for which and to the extent that reparability requirements are provided for by Union legal acts as listed in Annex II. The producer shall not be obliged to repair such goods where repair is impossible. The producer may sub-contract repair in order to fulfil its obligation to repair. In such case, the producer shall contribute to the necessary measures for repair, by providing information, specifications and elements so that the repairer, at the request of the consumer, can actually perform the repair service. Where repair cannot be reasonably expected, the producer has the right to replace the good with a refurbished good.
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that upon the consumer’s request, the producer shall repair, for free or against a price or another kind of consideration, goods for which and to the extent that reparability requirements are provided for by Union legal acts as listed in Annex II. The producer shall not be obliged to repair such goods where repair is impossiblecannot reasonably be expected. The producer may sub-contract repair in order to fulfil its obligation to repair.
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Where the producer obliged to repair pursuant to paragraph 1 is established outside the Union, its authorised representative in the Union shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where the producer has no authorised representative in the Union, the importer of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where there is no importer, the distributor of the good concerned shall perform the obligation of the producer. Where the importer or distributor of the good is based outside of the Union, the producer is required to have an authorised representative in the Union to perform the obligation of this Directive.
Amendment 256 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Producers shall ensure that independent repairers have access to spare parts and repair-related information and tools in accordance with the Union legal acts listed in Annex II without prejudice to the protection of sensitive information and business secrets foreseen in Directive (EU) 2016/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016.
Amendment 261 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Producers shall ensure that independent repairers and operators have access to spare parts with a reasonable and non-discriminatory price, and repair- related information and tools in accordance with the Union legal acts listed in Annex II.
Amendment 277 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, after a comprehensive assessment, in accordance with Article 15 to amend Annex II by updating the list of Union legal acts laying down reparability requirements in the light of legislative developments.
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that at least one online platform exists for their territory that allows consumers to find repairers. That platform shall where possible:
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that at least one online platform exists for their territory that allows consumers to find repairers. That platform shall:
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) allow for consumers to provide a review or rating, reflect the quality of repairers’ work;
Amendment 300 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Registration on the online platform for repairers, as well as for sellers of goods subject to refurbishment and for purchasers of defective goods for refurbishment, shall be voluntary. Member States shall determine the access to the platform in accordance with Union law. The use of the online platform shall be free of charge for consumers and independent repairers which are microenterprises, small or medium sized enterprises within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC45.
Amendment 314 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall take appropriate measures to assist small and medium sized enterprises within the meaning of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC in applying the requirements set out in this Directive. Such measures should include, but not be limited to, promoting guidelines to raise awareness of ways to comply with the requirements set out in this Directive.
Amendment 323 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of national provisions adopted pursuant to Articles 4, 5 and 6 and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Penalties imposed to economic operators that are SMEs shall take into account the financial capabilities and the size of the concerned enterprise.
Amendment 324 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall ensure that non-exhaustive and indicative criteria are taken into account for the imposition of penalties, such as: (a) the nature, gravity, scale and duration of the infringement; (b) any action taken by the trader to mitigate or remedy the damage suffered by consumers; (c) any previous infringements by the trader; (d) the financial benefits gained or losses avoided by the trader due to the infringement, if the relevant data are available; (e) penalties imposed on the trader for the same infringement in other Member States in cross-border cases where information about such penalties is available through the mechanism established by Regulation (EU) 2017/2394[A1] of the European Parliament and of the Council; (f) any other aggravating or mitigating factors applicable to the circumstances of the case.
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Directive (EU) 2019/771
Article 13(2)
Article 13(2)
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Replacement can be carried out by providing a refurbished product.
Amendment 363 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Article 5(1) and (2) and Article 6 of this Directive shall not apply to contracts for the provision of repair services concluded before [2430 months after the entry into force].
Amendment 366 #
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Article 12 of this Directive shall not apply to sales contracts concluded before [2430 months after the entry into force]