Estonian bill to strengthen consumer rights on warranties and repairs
Estonia's Ministry of Justice has drafted a bill to strengthen consumer rights for warranties and repairs of household appliances and electronics. The new rules would extend warranty periods to three years and require spare parts and repair services to be available in Estonia regardless of the product's country of origin.
Estonia's Ministry of Justice has drafted a bill aimed at strengthening consumer rights regarding warranties and repairs for household appliances and electronics. The proposed legislation seeks to improve product durability and increase the proportion of items that are repaired rather than replaced.
Under the bill, warranty periods would be extended to three years. Additionally, if a product is repaired, the manufacturer's warranty would be extended from two to three years. Repair options, including spare parts and services, must be available in Estonia regardless of the product's country of origin.
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) noted that under current rules, repairing a defective appliance often costs more than buying a new one. The bill therefore aims to encourage manufacturers to produce more durable goods. If a product breaks within three years due to poor quality rather than user damage, the manufacturer will be required to cover the repair costs.
Jüri Rütman, a service center employee at computer repair shop Netiabi, said that while there is demand for repairs, sometimes purchasing a new device is more economical. Spare parts availability depends on the device's age; manufacturers generally supply parts for devices up to 10 years old, but not for older ones.
Minister Pakosta said the bill should help address spare part shortages. Manufacturers must ensure parts are actually available. In Estonia's small market, there have been cases where parts were simply unavailable, as repair technicians have confirmed.
The bill would not affect Estonian manufacturers. Instead, retailers are likely to rely more on manufacturers with a representative within the European Union. If a product fails within three years, the manufacturer must repair it. If neither the manufacturer nor its representative has a presence in the EU, the seller must arrange the repair. This makes selling products without repair arrangements less attractive for retailers.
The bill still requires approval from the government and a vote in the Riigikogu to become law.
