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Workshop on flagship on durable goods ▸ Ursula Pachl and ▸ Angeliki Malizou. General Assembly Place : Brussels Date : 15 November 2013. Background.
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Workshop on flagship on durable goods ▸ Ursula Pachl and ▸ Angeliki Malizou General Assembly Place : Brussels Date : 15 November 2013
Background • Consumers have difficulties in enforcing their legal guarantee rights. These rights play an essential role in promoting sustainable consumption. • Durability of products (such as household appliances, communications devices, cars) is an important element of sustainable consumption.
Objectives • Have the means to use the guarantee rights successfully – reversal of the burden of proof • Longer guarantee period • Fight planned obsolescence • Stop unfair business practices regarding the enforcement of guarantee rights • Availability of spare parts
Context within BEUC work programme • This flagship falls straight into our priorities on • consumer rights and redress and • sustainability • …. in line with our 2020 vision paper
Strategy • Legislative initiatives: • Review of the 1999 directive on consumer sales – • to achieve objective a), b), c) and d) • Review of the Ecodesign and the energy labelling directive to achieve objectives b), c) and d)
Consumer Sales Directive • Consumer Sales directive (1999/44/EC) sets a minimum mandatory standard of consumer rights regarding legal guarantees ( and commercial guarantees): • Main elements: • 2 year guarantee period • 6 months of reversal of the burden of proof for the lack of conformity
Ecodesign & Energy Labelling Directive • Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) aims at settingrequirements on the significant environmental aspects of energy-using and energy-related products. • Energy Labelling Directive (2010/30/EU) informs consumers about the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products. It aims at helping consumers choose products which save energy and provides incentives for the industry to develop and invest in energy efficient product design.
Strategy (suite) • Non –legislative initiatives : • Enforcement actions • Awareness raising • Business best practices • Sustainability: High Level Platform on Resource efficiency etc
Strategy (suite) • Research is needed: • Current problems with the use of guarantee rights • How to dismantle planned obsolescence
National level activities • Better application /enforcement of guarantee rights • Sustainability aspects of guarantee rights • Obsolescence, spare parts, reparability
What Communication Tools? Examples of practical aids to supplement conventional press action. A Media Kit for members which could contain: • Messaging Advice; Facts & Figures; Stock Phrases • Factsheet • High-profile Brand Example List detailing Product; Lifespan; Typical Cost e.g. Apple iPads, washing machines, laptops etc. • BEUC press release archive • Statistics synopsis For use with external stakeholders: • Dedicated mini-website very ‘lay-user’ friendly upload cases etc. • Gimmick for MEPs – e.g. a backwards ticking clock with obsolescence/sustainability message on rear • Academic study or related materials
Timeline • Some elements • Research - as soon as possible • EU legislation: • Hearing of new Commissioners in September 2014 • Work programme of new EP Committees • (Preparation of ) Revision of ecodesign and energy labelling directives • Continuation of Revision of the consumer acquis ?
www.beuc.eu – consumers@beuc.eu www.beuc50years.eu