Right to repair legislation
Industry charity Electrical Safety First has commented on the Government's planned 'right to repair' legislation, introduced in March 2021. Under the laws, manufacturers will be legally obliged to make spare parts for products (such as washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances) directly available to consumers. The Government says the aim of new rules is to extend the lifespan of products by up to 10 years and save consumers an average of £75 a year on bills over their lifetimes.
Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, said, “This well-intentioned green policy must consider the 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."
Rudd added, "The Government should give serious thought as to who can carry out these repairs. At present, consumers cannot refer to a register of competent, third-party professionals, to get the job done. This risks incompetent repairers causing more damage to the products – and potential harm to consumers.
"While changes to product design can make repair work 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.”
This article originally appeared on the ECA website under the headline, 'ESF concern over "right to repair" laws'. It was published on 12 March 2021.
--ECA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Amendment 3 BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations IET Wiring Regulations.
- Appliance.
- Articles by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA).
- Electrical appliance.
- Electrical safety.
- Repair definition.
- Smart kitchen appliances.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.