Smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Google should be required to provide security updates and spare parts for their mobile devices for at least seven years, according to the German government’s new environmental liability proposals in the European Union (via of Heise online).
/article-new/2021/03/apple-independent-repair-program.jpg?resize=560%2C373&ssl=1)
The European Commission has recently proposed that mobile device manufacturers provide software updates and spare parts for five years, with tablet spare parts available for six years. It also wants to force manufacturers to publish the prices of spare parts and ensure that they do not increase, and deliver these parts within a maximum of five working days.
However, Germany wants the EU to go further by demanding seven years of upgrades and spare parts availability. In addition, he wants manufacturers to offer spare parts at a “reasonable price” and faster delivery of spare parts, a point he wants to discuss further with the Commission.
The German government also supports the European Commission’s push to introduce ecodesign standards, including an energy label and a repairability index for smartphones and tablets. The production of the equipment represents the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the EC, and only a part of the raw materials can be recovered during recycling.
The DigitalEurope Industry Association, which represents manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei, believes the Commission’s proposals go too far and have suggested that manufacturers provide security updates for three years and operating system updates for two years.
The association also believes that it should only be forced to offer spare batteries and screens to consumers, as these parts have the highest failure rate. In contrast, components such as camera sensors, microphones, and connectors “rarely fail” and should therefore not be subject to the mandate.
Following additional negotiations between all parties involved, the European Union plans to present the proposals in 2023.
Apple has often been criticized for disproportionate repair prices, such as the $ 79 fee to service the $ 99 HomePod mini, as well as arbitrary repair limits, such as banning iPhone camera repairs. 12 without access to Apple’s proprietary system configuration application. .
The European Parliament voted last year to support the EU Committee’s recommendations on the “Right to Reparation”, including a mandatory labeling system for consumer electronics to provide explicit information on repairability and the useful life of the products.