Sustainable gifts: choose small electrical appliances responsibly!

Sustainable gifts: choose small electrical appliances responsibly!

At a time when sustainability is playing an increasingly important role, the Small Electrical Appliances Forum highlights the importance of responsible consumption. According to oekonews, when giving gifts, attention should be paid to the quality and repairability of small electrical appliances. Popular appliances include coffee makers, hair dryers, kitchen scales and vacuum cleaners. These devices are characterized by high-quality workmanship and tested quality standards that ensure a long service life and conserve resources.

The availability of spare parts and repair options is particularly important. Many manufacturers are already relying on innovative functions and sustainable materials to increase energy efficiency. Gabriele Eder, chairwoman of the Small Electrical Appliances Forum, emphasizes that every purchase has an impact on the environment and society and advocates conscious consumer behavior.

The right to repair

From January 12, 2026, the “Device Saver Bonus” will be introduced to promote the repair of devices and reduce electronic waste. The EU has also enacted a comprehensive right to repair law that requires manufacturers to offer accessible and affordable repair options for electronic devices. This legislative project aims to extend the lifespan of products, reduce electronic waste and promote a circular economy, as reported by greeninitiative.

A key concern is to encourage manufacturers to offer repairs even after the warranty has expired. From April 2024, spare parts should be available for up to ten years, and consumers must be informed about repair options. However, numerous challenges remain, such as proprietary screws and software limitations that make repairs difficult to access.

Global impact

EU legislation has not only local but also global significance. Target's vision of becoming climate neutral by 2050 is within the framework of the European Green Deal, which, according to MDR, could lead to a saving of 18.5 million tons of CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of over two million Germans. In 2022, 62 million tons of e-waste were already produced worldwide, of which only 22.3% were recycled. This describes the urgency of measures to combat the throwaway society.

In Germany, the legal implementation of the right to repair is planned for mid-2026. Manufacturers are obliged to offer free repairs for the first two years after purchase. Afterwards, a repair obligation of five to ten years will be introduced, which should not be “unreasonably expensive”. For many consumers, the topic of repairs has become very important, especially considering that less than 40% of e-waste is recycled.

However, some specialist retailers are currently unable to meet the increasing need for repairs because capacities are limited. Initiatives such as repair cafés offer support with repairs, but often only have limited options. Nevertheless, the success of these cafés is remarkable: 66% of repairs are successful on the first visit and over 80% on subsequent visits.