ESF and Rated people react to proposed Right to Repair legislation

  Posted by: electime      16th March 2021

Commenting on the Government’s plan to introduce legislation on the ‘right to repair’, Lesley Rudd, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, said:

“This well-intentioned green policy must consider then unintended consequences on consumer safety. Consumers should not attempt to repair their electrical appliances without the knowledge to do so safely. Poor repair work can lead to an increased risk of fire, or electric shock.

The Government should give serious thought as to who can carry out these repairs. At present consumers can not refer to a register of competent, third-party professionals, to get the job done. This risks incompetent repairers causing more damage to the produces – and potential harm to consumers. While changes to product design can make repairwork easier in the long term, currently, some appliances are simply too complex for the average consumer to safely fix themselves. A network of competent repairers, approved by manufacturers, must be introduced if this well-intentioned policy is to benefit – and protect – consumers.”

Adrienne Minster, CEO of Rated People said:

“The ‘Right to Repair’ law is brilliant news for tradespeople. For the first time, manufacturers will be legally obliged to make spare parts available toconsumers. Though in theory this should mean less frequent breakdowns, it will increase the number of appliances that can be fixed with the help of a skilled professional.

The new law will enable tradespeople across the country to easily access specific parts that had previously been difficult to source. As a result, it will likely mean fewer appliances needing to be replaced, especially as many branded parts will now also be available for general purchase.

This announcement follows on from the introduction of a simpler energy efficiency grading system this month and promised higher energy efficiency standards, enabling consumers to make more informed choices on their products. It is great to see the government actively seeking new methods toencourage greener living and help us better our environment, whilst providing consumers with confidence when purchasing these large, often costly, items.”