They won't make it so we can install any OS we want on tablets or phones, nor make drivers published as free software, right?

Can't wait to see what loopholes they will implement such that I can avoid repairing my shit and pay full price for a new one anyway because the repair costs just as much as a new one. God forbid replacing a single bearing instead of the whole wash drum, I hope the EU protects me from that like before.

Well done Europe! It should make it possible for other industries too!

I wonder if this will mean screwed split-half washing machine drums, for example.

One of the most common failure points in washing machines is the drum bearing. Nowadays almost all makes are using drums where the halves of the drum are plastic, welded together, where they used to be screwed together. The welds prevent opening the drum, and make bearing replacement basically impossible. The makes will sell you a replacement of the whole assembly, but it will often cost like 2/3 of a new machine. This means that a bearing failure often results in chucking a machine that used to be repaired for a cost under a 100 € if done professionally, or tens if DIY.

I imagine the "whole assembly" concept will be used as one of the loopholes.

They pass dystopian chat control with one hand and does this with the other.

There is no repair without firmware. All hardware needs to be documented and ship with source. It hasn't been enough to be able to buy physical parts since perhaps the 80s or 90s. Everything is controlled by software. Without that right to repair is a joke. Meanwhile the surveillance industry and their well greased govt supporters are trying to lock down software. Can't have it both ways.

Unfortunately there are some exemptions. Flexible / folding displays are not covered. Fitness trackers and watches are not covered.

There is also a battery regulation coming in next year to require phone batteries to be replaceable with no tools but that has loop holes too - long life batteries aren't covered, IP67 rated phones aren't covered. So you can bet your boots those two reasons will be what makers use to bullshit their way out of it.

Water kettle stopped working, has fucking temper proof triangle head screws so can't even open it without having to buy a special screwdriver bit. name and shame : kitchenaid

can we have this in America? Answer: No! in fact in America everything popular in other countries is banned unless it's used in federal buildings because "security concerns". yeah... sure... so very worried about "national security" that security risks can only be used in government buildings and not in private homes... yeah sure... that's secure.

Hopefully this will benefit other countries indirectly, instead of designing one repairable phone and one not repairable, should be easier to just design one.

Do cars next!!

Interesting things that are not on the list:

• Farming equipment
• Motor and electric vehicles
• Computers (including laptops)
• Video game consoles
• HVAC systems and equipment

Not sure if smart TVs fall under "electronic displays", or if they just mean commercial displays when they say that.

Hopefully, malicious compliance loopholes will be fixed eventually

For things like these I love Europe. For things like Chat Control I hate Europe

I'm noticing cars are not part of the list, despite being smartphones on wheels

Heh, the dryer stopped working at home and my spouse was bracing to buy a new one. So nice to break out the multimeter, find the issue, and 10 dollar part later, good as new.

Think of all the waste avoided by repairing a tiny part in a gigantic appliance.