Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
The European Union has adopted new rules that should make it easier to repair your old household appliances in the future. The new Ecodesign Directive, which BBC News reports manufacturers will have to obey starting in 2021, will force firms to make spare parts available for up to a decade for common appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, and televisions.
It’s hoped that the new right-to-repair rules will benefit both individuals and the planet. As iFixit noted in a report published last week, over half of an appliance’s carbon footprint comes from its manufacturing process. The EU estimates that allowing devices to be repaired and used for longer (combined with new energy efficiency labels introduced earlier…