Spare parts legislation gives consumers 'right to repair'

The rules are being introduced to combat planned obsolescence built into appliances that shorten a product’s lifespan and helps to generate around 1.5 million tonnes of electrical waste every year.

From this Summer, manufacturers will be obliged to make spare parts for products available so that electrical appliances can be repaired by consumers. According to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), this could extend the lifespan of products by up to 10 years, which is expected to save carbon emissions as well as waste.

BEIS added that the changes will also set higher energy-efficiency standards for electrical products which will save consumers an average of £75 a year on energy bills.

“Our plans to tighten product standards will ensure more of our electrical goods can be fixed rather than thrown on the scrap heap, putting more money back in the pockets of consumers whilst protecting the environment,” said business and energy secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng. “Going forward, our upcoming energy efficiency framework will push electrical products to use even less energy and material resources, saving people money on their bills and reducing carbon emissions as we work to reach net zero by 2050.”