Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
109. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the right to repair measures set out in the European Commission Circular Economy Action Plan; if his Department will implement any of the proposals contained therein, regardless of the passage of European Union legislation on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50778/23]
View answerSignificantly enhanced reparability and ease of maintenance of consumer goods is an essential component of the Circular Economy. The Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023 recognises this and commits to the development of a circular economy for consumer goods with an enhanced focus on the repair sector in Ireland. This is in line with policy developments at EU level, including the European Green Deal and the New Circular Economy Action Plan, which commit to sustainable consumption and transferring the EU into a circular economy.
Meaningful changes to requirements around issues such as repair, product design, warrantees, consumer information and labelling can most effectively be implemented by way of comprehensive EU legislation, rather than through individual national measures. The Proposal for Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation promotes the reparability of products from the production phase. The Proposal for a Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition enables consumers to be informed about the reparability and durability of goods when purchasing those goods. The Proposal for a Directive on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods aims to promote sustainable consumption through repair and reuse of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee of conformity. Negotiations on all three proposals are ongoing and agreement is expected early next year.
Taken together, these three initiatives cover the full life cycle of goods and deliver on the right to repair objectives in the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. A coordinated EU response is the most effective way to meet those objectives. Ireland is supportive of the policy approach reflected in these proposals and is adopting an ambitious stance in the EU negotiations to ensure that the final legislation maximises the support to consumers in this regard.
