Slidutter
Lessons

Why We Need a Right to Repair Our Devices

AdvancedForTech & Internet
Practice the other side:Right to Repair: Good Goal, but Let's Be Careful

Why We Need a Right to Repair

Fix it, don't throw it away

1 / 8

Model script

Good evening. I run a small phone repair shop in Rotterdam. Every week, customers bring me devices with one broken part, and too often, I have to say, "I can't get the part." Today, I'll argue that we need a real right to repair.

Your recording

Say this slide out loud, then listen to yourself.

Recordings stay on this device and disappear when you leave the page.

Useful phrases

  • too often,

    More often than is acceptable.

  • a real right to repair

    A true legal right to fix our things.

Full script

Read the whole talk.

All slides in one place. Read it through once, then practice slide by slide.

  1. 01Why We Need a Right to Repair

    Good evening. I run a small phone repair shop in Rotterdam. Every week, customers bring me devices with one broken part, and too often, I have to say, "I can't get the part." Today, I'll argue that we need a real right to repair.

  2. 02The EU Has Acted

    The European Union has already acted. In 2024, it adopted a directive on repairing goods. Member countries had to make it part of their national laws by July 31, 2026.

    Sources: Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on common rules promoting the repair of goods, EUR-Lex; European Commission, "Directive on repair of goods"

  3. 03What It Covers

    The directive covers products like phones, tablets, washing machines, fridges, and vacuum cleaners. Producers must offer repair even after the legal guarantee has ended, at a reasonable price.

    Sources: Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on common rules promoting the repair of goods, EUR-Lex; European Commission, "Directive on repair of goods"

  4. 04Reason 1: Less Waste

    My first reason is waste. When a phone can't be repaired, it's thrown away, even if most of it still works. Repair keeps devices in use longer and out of landfills.

  5. 05Reason 2: Fair to Customers

    Second, it's about fairness. If you buy something, you should be able to fix it, or choose who fixes it. Today, some companies make that very difficult, so customers have to buy a new product.

  6. 06Reason 3: Local Jobs

    Third, repair creates local jobs. Repair shops like mine employ people in every neighborhood. When parts and manuals are available, small businesses can compete.

  7. 07"It Will Make Products Expensive"

    Critics say these rules will make products more expensive. Maybe a little, at first. But a phone that lasts much longer saves customers money over time.

  8. 08Conclusion

    In conclusion, the EU has shown that a right to repair can become law. It's good for the planet, fair to customers, and good for local businesses. Let's fix more and throw away less. Thank you.

    Source: Directive (EU) 2024/1799 on common rules promoting the repair of goods, EUR-Lex

Cover photo by Militiamobiles on Pixabay

Slide photos by vkingxl, Felix-Mittermeier on Pixabay