Sounds good.
But, of course, we know what will happen.
Need it be said?
One of the troubling questions in the multiverse is why do groups who have never had a successful idea keep dominating the conversation?
Another oppressive law expanding the power of bureaucrats.
Masquerading as “rights”
People dispatched tens of millions of television sets to the dump because the Government decreed we do digital. Not because the manufacturers engaged in sinister conspiracies.
Farm tractor equipment needs to open up their engine codes like the automobile industry did.
automobiles and major appliances ... Junk
There was a time when this was already the case through natural competition to make “quality” products at still decent prices. Then the throw away consumerism sales tactic and culture came along. But we did it to ourselves by wanting as much for one part being equal to the whole cost of a new one.
Didn’t we just do “cash for clunkers”? Now it’s “keep the clunkers running”?
Our 1st Maytag washer lasted 25 years. Since then we are on washer #3.
The European proposals refer to lighting, televisions and large home appliances.
The reason these things don't last as long is DIRECTLY related to Global Warming and energy efficiency standards.
Years ago I spent a day in a conference with a Dupont or GE engineer, an older gentlemen. There was a topic regarding energy standards that sparked some discussion that he was passionate about. The energy efficiency standards and regulations that manufacturers are held to require moving parts to be lighter and more energy efficient. This means gears, motor housings, belts/chains, bearings, components, etc. all have to be made of lighter parts. This reduces the horsepower and size of electric motors. Engineering technology has also advanced to a point where the power needs can be calculated for "just the right size". According to him, this creates the quality problems and life expectancy issues in many mechanical appliances these days.
Add the cost of electronics to govern motors for energy efficiency and the additional parts to monitor and control the use of energy and you both increase the costs and complexity as well as introduce more parts and mechanisms that are subject to failure.
In the old days, machines were over designed a little to make sure their quality was better than the competition. They sought future sales and reputation as a vital component to their profitability and longevity as a business. Today, they need to have the cheapest product and beat the competition in the short term year over year as corporate value is analyzed quarterly.
So complaining that the quality of manufactured products is contributing to global warming is like complaining that a camp fire is consuming your fire wood.
They’re going to force the repair of machines they deem not environmentally acceptable? Fat chance. Too bad. Those are the only machines that do what they’re supposed to do. Now everything is half-washed and half-a$$ed... for the planet. Pffftt….
I need to say good...the old hometown Fix it Shop need to come back. This might help...
Stupid idea. This would mean the government would assume complete control of the manufacturing process in this country and every other country in the world. That’s almost communism, where government owns all the means of production.
BULLCRAP!!!
Hi.
I’ve owned a few homes. Both rent and occupy.
GE appliances went from great to sh!t in less than four years.
Unfortunately, I can relate to the article.
5.56mm
Ping
I had no idea this was a climate change issue. It is a consumer’s rights issue. The counter argument that it threatens intellectual property rights should of course be addressed and resolved. But holding consumers and their wallets hostage is not the answer.
I love the throwaway culture.
Since I know how to fix a lot of that stuff, I can always get around the more simple proprietary screws and glue schemes and have it working in a day.
But yeah, people ought not have to go through heck just to replace a fuse.
To all you climate changers out there, if you want to improve just about ANYTHING in the USA, including your fraudulent Climate Change, here’s a few tips:
1. Term Limits for all Public Office Holders everywhere in the US
2. Like Texas, limit legislatures sessions to once every two years for six months.
3. Pass a law forcing non military federal employment to half of what it is today.
4. Abolish nearly all federal agencies.
5. Balance the budget
6. Build the wall.
7. Enforce E verify and Voter ID.
8. Abolish the Income Tax and IRS with it. Replace with a revenue neutral National Sales Tax.
The spinoff from items 1 - 8 would help the environment more than 1 more dumbass regulation.
“This consists of a series of proposals from European environment ministers to force manufacturers to make goods that last longer and are easier to mend.”
BTW, I would bet that for just about any of the appliances mentioned, there are already manufacturers who make better, longer-lasting, products...but you probably pay 40% - 100% more for the product.
In the meantime, by pricing more people out of the market (which is ALL that this proposal will do), you will wind up with a bunch of poor folks trying to jury-rig the electrical components of their broken appliances, leading to many more fires and deaths going forward. I’d venture to say that the additional fires will add so much pollution to the atmosphere that it will offset any savings of pollution related to better appliances.
In summary, I’ll quote the great philosopher Ringo Starr:
“Everything that the government touches, turns to shit.”