The EU is trying to force manufacturers to state whether their products are repairable and how long parts will be available where customers can see them. Along with the proposed new EU rules on repairability, there is also a new proposal to ban greenwashing in product marketing. In other words, if a product claims to be environmentally friendly, it better be.

The EU's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Commission (IMCO) has agreed to a draft report (opens in new tab) on new powers aimed at making it harder to market short-lived, garbage-like products that do nothing for the environment.

Terms such as "environmentally friendly," "biodegradable," "eco-friendly," and "climate neutral" would be subject to strict demonstration rules. In other words, manufacturers will no longer be able to speak of them unless they are actually true.

Perhaps the biggest change would be that carbon offset schemes would no longer be allowed at all, regardless of whether they are substantiated or not. This could strip many products of their environmental claims. Not only that, but if a product is said to be "made from recycled materials," it would have to apply to the entire product, not just parts of it.

"In other words, it will no longer be possible to sell a product by saying 'made from recycled materials' if only the packaging contains recycled materials," IMCO stated.

The second part of the report on product labeling, which focuses on repairability, is likely to be a major victory for the right to repair.

"All producers are obligated to sell only products designed to be compatible with consumables, spare parts, and accessories (e.g., chargers and ink cartridges) that are also offered by other producers.

This is in line with the EU's current approved legislation to make USB Type-C chargers compatible with most electronic devices by 2024 (opens in new tab). Forty months after this directive goes into effect, laptops will be required to use USB Type-C chargers. Currently, most gaming laptops are equipped with USB-C chargers, but not necessarily all. For example, desktop PC alternatives often still come with more robust connections.

Also included in today's proposed rule on repairability, IMCO would need to inform customers of the expected time frame for spare parts supply.

You can read more details in last year's draft here (opens in new tab) [PDF warning]. In places, it reads like a personal vendetta against printer ink cartridges, which I fully support. But in general, it mentions early obsolescence, garbage repair options, dishonest marketing, and forcing manufacturers to enforce rules to ensure that digital products are kept in good condition for updates.

It is truly comprehensive, but not yet enshrined in law. The draft report must be approved before it can be further discussed in the Council among EU member states. Even if the Regulation on Eco and Repairability is passed, not all of the proposals in that document will be approved.