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.

   晚安。我在鹿特丹開了一家小小的手機維修店。每個星期，都有客人拿來只壞了一個零件的裝置，而我常常不得不說：「這個零件我拿不到。」今天，我要主張我們需要真正的「維修權」。

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.

   歐盟已經採取行動了。2024年，歐盟通過了一項關於商品維修的指令。會員國必須在2026年7月31日以前，把它納入本國的法律。

   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.

   這項指令涵蓋手機、平板電腦、洗衣機、冰箱和吸塵器等產品。就算法定保固期已經結束，製造商也必須以合理的價格提供維修。

   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.

   我的第一個理由是浪費。手機如果修不好，就算大部分功能都還能用，也會被丟掉。維修能讓裝置用得更久，不必送進垃圾掩埋場。

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，這是公平的問題。你買了一樣東西，就應該能自己修，或是自己選擇要給誰修。現在有些公司把這件事弄得非常困難，客人只好買新的產品。

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，維修能創造在地的工作機會。像我這樣的維修店，在每個社區都有雇用員工。只要買得到零件、拿得到維修手冊，小店家就有競爭的機會。

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.

   批評的人說，這些規定會讓產品變貴。一開始也許會貴一點。但一支能用得更久的手機，長期下來能幫客人省錢。

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.

   總結來說，歐盟已經證明，維修權可以成為法律。它對地球好，對客人公平，對在地店家也有好處。讓我們多修一點，少丟一點。謝謝大家。

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