posted in Technology

New EU law requires devices to be repairable - Every phone, television or washing machine you buy in Europe must be easier to repair starting tomorrow. That’s when the European Right to Repair Act takes effect

The products covered by the obligation to repair currently include:

  • washing machines and washer-dryers
  • dishwashers
  • refrigerators
  • electronic displays
  • welding equipment
  • servers and data storage products
  • mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets
  • tumble dryers 
  • e-bikes and e-scooters batteries (from 18 February 2027)
  • local space heaters
www.nporadio1.nl/fragmenten/nos-met-het-oog-op-morgen/019fb4ba-4def-735d-a758-1ba6b55e6f79/2026-07-30-apparaten-verplicht-repareerbaar-door-nieuwe-eu-wet
NPO Radio 1Apparaten verplicht repareerbaar door nieuwe EU-wetIedere wasmachine, telefoon of televisie die je vanaf morgen in Europa koopt, moet beter repareerbaar zijn. Dan treedt namelijk de Europese Right to Repair Act in werking. Wat dat in de praktijk betekent, bespreken we met Ruth Mugge, hoogleraar Ontwerpen voor duurzaam consumentengedrag aan de TU Delft, en Oscar Visser, CFO van Fairphone.

Replying to @⁨inari@piefed.zip⁩

I have a super common type (in EU) of Philips water kettle. It’s a reliable machine. Unfortunately the little filter “screen” for the pouring sprout is starting to break now, after many many years of use. I can’t find a replacement. It’s a super easy to manufacture part, must be a very common “breaking thing” on this widespread device… Nope.

Philips HD4646 if anyone knows a source 🙈

Replying to @⁨freebee@sh.itjust.works⁩

Maybe there’s a fab shop by you that could print the part? Or a local enthusiasts group or something? Never used one so no idea of price but small part, prob not too expensive. I guess finding the part spec would be the challenge. Maybe they can scan the broken one or something. I actually have no clue about 3d printing so this may not be a helpful suggestion 🤷

Replying to @⁨freebee@sh.itjust.works⁩

It can be, but is a hassle. There are food safe filaments, there are filaments that “should be” safe, like unmodified PETG, but the issue is to make all parts that are in contact with the filament food safe; extruder gears, Bowden tubes and other guides, hot ends, etc…

I imagine that it would be a hassle for parts suppliers to certify the bajillion variations of these parts as food safe.

Replying to @⁨Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com⁩

The microplastic is the least important point when it comes to food safe products. Sure microplastic is bad, and we have no real idea about the long term effects, but there are there are things that already have effects on your health in the short term:

A lot of different plastic types release actual toxins over time, especially when exposed to high heat, since that destroys the molecular bonds. Having food or water touch these toxins is a great way to absord them into your body.

Apart from that most 3D printed materials have micro ridges and air pockets that are the perfect place for bacteria to grow. That’s probably the worst thing to have in your kitchen.

Replying to @⁨elucubra@sopuli.xyz⁩

The filaments themselves may be food safe but that doesn’t matter. The resulting object is not food safe not because of the material but because of the manufacturing process. Printing layer by layer leaves miniscule voids and holes in-between layers where bacteria can thrive and which are impossible to clean.

Your print is safe to eat out of the first time, but is never food safe again as it can never be cleaned from bacteria in all the thin holes.

Replying to @⁨dev_null@lemmy.ml⁩

That is another factor, but not always true. If you print in a heat resistant filament that is also food safe (TBH I don’t know of one, but it probably exists), and use it for solids, like fruit bowls, cookie jars, and the like, and is dishwasher safe. It should be fine. The problem is that most people will not make the entire production path food safe. Too much liability for manufacturers, even with food safe materials.

Many youtube 3D printing influencers actually recommend brain dead shit like drying filaments with undisclosed ingredients in ovens or microwaves where they will cook food, and stupid shit like that.