The Ministry of Consumption announced a new reform of the Spanish law on consumption, which had already been approved on April 27 by the Council of Ministers. With him, we seek to extend the useful life of electronic devices.
Apple, like any other manufacturer, is no exception to the new regulations, which impose a mandatory 3-year warranty for all products and 10-year availability of spare parts, among other measures.
Some of them directly conflict with the policy that Apple has used in recent years, so it’s normal that you wonder how this will affect the Apple Company. For now, from Cupertino, they have not spoken.
What does the new consumer law say?
The new consumer law is not expected to come into force until January 1, 2022, but we can already get an idea of what will change from there. Basically, more sustainable consumption is sought and the end of obsolescence programmed.
One of the most salient key points is the extension of the mandatory warranty years from two to three. Thus, any manufacturing defect must be repaired free of charge within this period.
On the other hand, the years in which manufacturers must have spare parts to repair any of their products are also increasing. More specifically, the term has doubled from five to ten years.
For the first time, the regulations include digital services, which must offer a two-year warranty. Not only are payment services included, but also everything else that is “paid” with the user’s personal data.
Finally, the reform has also increased the years during which a user has to exercise consumer rights (from three to five years) and, to prove the lack of conformity with what has been agreed, he now has two to three years. (and not just six months).
How are the new regulations affecting AppleCare +?
Apple offers a two to three year warranty through AppleCare +, the company’s insurance that covers technical support, repairs or replacements for certain accidental incidents, and prompt replacement and repair service around the world. whole.
With the regulations that existed until now, Apple only offered one year of warranty and accepted the other to be offered by the store where it was purchased. It is clear that now you will have to modify the agreements and surely offer more free warranty time.
Now, the company will have to rethink the concept of warranty with AppleCare + Priority Support. It could also change the price or even compensate for any losses that the new law could cause by increasing the price of the product.
How are the new regulations affecting Apple’s repair system?
On the other hand, Apple must also ensure that it can comply, at least in Europe (and in Europe, because this measure also exists at the level of the European Union), with the requirement to have spare parts. spare for at least 10 years.
Apple has been accused on more than one occasion precisely of programming the obsolescence of its products so that its users are forced to buy a new one. It certainly goes against the idea that Apple is a green company.
It’s true that Apple has expanded its independent repair vendor program, so you can go there and make sure they’re using genuine parts (and avoid going to the Apple Store or a vendor. authorized services).
However, it is always difficult to repair an Apple product and the new Spanish law could facilitate its change. It joins another initiative, in this case from France, which requires them to evaluate their products according to their ease of repair.
It should be remembered that in March, European regulations were also approved for the defense of the right to repair, forcing all manufacturers to include a manual in the box with instructions for repairing the product with conventional tools.
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