19-03-2020 10:30
Consumer aspects around planned obsolescence: towards longer-lasting products

ANTALL Building, 6Q2
consumer electronics home appliances with different damages. Broken household goods: monitor,microwave,refrigerator,washing machine,vacuum cleaner etc
planned obsolescence © used under the licence of shutterstock.com

The aim of the hearing is discuss the different aspects of planned obsolescence from a consumer protection perspective. Panellists are invited to share their views on the causes and facts behind product obsolescence, to comment on existing policy measures and to issue recommendations for a possible future EU regulatory framework to counter planned obsolescence, with a focus on ensuring a high degree of consumer protection.

In particular, the panellists may comment on recommended consumer information obligations and product labelling (e.g. mandatory durability labelling, reparability scoring systems), consumer rights (right to repair, specificities of IoT goods, software obsolescence), on pioneering national legislation such as the French or Italian examples and initiatives promoting product durability, repair and sustainable consumption in general. Members will also have the opportunity to hear the Commission's perspective and details of its work in the area of sustainable