But will it make any difference?
But it’s not law.
It’s also an excellent first step, and the EU has a history of protecting consumers.
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But How About Some Examples?
For instance, the iPhone 12 gets a middling 6/10.
And thats a good rating.
Thanit Weerawan / Getty Images
Microsofts Surface Duo gets a pathetic 2/10.
It gets dinged for using weird screws, and way too much hard-to-remove glue.
In reparability terms, it should be called the Surface Dud.
It wasnt always that way.
I have kept a 2010 iMac running to this day, thanks to its easy reparability.
Compare that to the latest M1 Macs, in which nothing is replaceable or upgradeable by the user.
Thats why the new EU resolution also targets independent repair shops.
Harmonized mandatory labelling indicating durability and tackling premature obsolescence at EU level are the way forward.
This last part is important.
Last December,Nikon announcedthat it would stop its authorized repair program, which cut off independent repair shops.
Andin 2012, it stopped supplying spareparts.
The Future
This resolution is just a strong statement of intent.
Actual legislation is planned for 2021, but even if it takes longer, it will be welcome.
Its not just important for tinkerers.
Who could argue with any of that?
