Why We Need a Right to Repair Our Devices

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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.

   晚上好。我在鹿特丹开了一家小小的手机维修店。每个星期，都有顾客拿来只坏了一个零件的设备，而我常常不得不说：“这个零件我买不到。”今天，我要论证我们需要真正的“维修权”。

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.

   欧盟已经采取了行动。2024年，欧盟通过了一项关于商品维修的指令。成员国必须在2026年7月31日之前把它纳入本国法律。

   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.

   这项指令涵盖手机、平板电脑、洗衣机、冰箱和吸尘器等产品。即使法定保修期已经结束，生产商也必须以合理的价格提供维修。

   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.

   我的第一个理由是浪费。一部手机如果没法修，即使大部分功能还能用，也会被扔掉。维修可以让设备用得更久，不必进入垃圾填埋场。

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.

   第二，这关乎公平。如果你买了一样东西，你就应该能够自己修理它，或者选择由谁来修。如今，有些公司把这件事弄得非常困难，顾客只好去买新产品。

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.

   第三，维修能创造本地就业。像我这样的维修店，在每个社区都雇用着员工。只要能买到零件和维修手册，小商家就有竞争的机会。

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.

   批评者说，这些规定会让产品变得更贵。一开始也许会贵一点。但是一部能用得更久的手机，从长远来看能帮顾客省钱。

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.

   总之，欧盟已经证明，维修权可以成为法律。它对地球有益，对顾客公平，也对本地商家有好处。让我们多修一点，少扔一点。谢谢大家。

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