BRUSSELS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Union on Wednesday unveiled plans to make goods on the EU market more environmentally-friendly, circular and energy-efficient.
The proposed rules would ensure that European consumers can make informed choices when buying products, the European Commission said.
Under the rules, consumers would have the right to know how long a product is designed to last, and if and how it can be repaired. In addition, consumers would have greater protection against false environmental claims, and misleading information about the durability of a product.
European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova, said the rules were designed to support consumers who increasingly want to choose products that last longer and can be repaired.
"We are giving them strong new tools to make informed choices and increase the sustainability of the products and our economy with this proposal," she said.
Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said that the European Green Deal goals will not be reached without consumers making greener choices.
"To become the real actors of the green transition, consumers must have a right to information to make sustainable choices. They must also be protected against unfair commercial practices which abuse their interest in buying green," he added.
Under the new rules, consumers must be informed about the guaranteed durability of products. The seller must also provide relevant information on repairs, and information on spare parts or a repair manual. For smart devices and digital content and services, the consumer must be also informed about software updates provided by the producer.
The Commission's proposals will now be discussed by the Council and the European Parliament, and transposed into Member States' national legislation if adopted. ■