How about if the investigation that imposes monetary penalties also finds that the conduct was likely willful, they receive a strike. This strike goes against not only the specific named company but all related companies as well (all subsidiaries, all parents, etc. along the entire corporate hierarchy).

They can receive 1 strike, to allow for corporate behavior and culture changes. If any related company receives another strike, none of them can operate in the EU at all anymore.

If Samsung smartphones don't comply with rules, and later Samsung TVs are found to do the same... no more Samsung products period. They lose access to the market entirely.

Let's try daily penalty, that increase with the number of devices sold and with time.

Expulsion from the market would e better for everybody.

If the only penalty is a fine, then it's just a cost of doing business.

So sick of this bullshit from the tech industry. If a person buys something. Leave them the fuck alone. It's so fucking simple. It's a good thing I'm not a lawyer for some tech company pursuing this. I'd fail on purpose.

the $99million is pocket change to them. They've made billions with their grift. The "settlement" is just the cost of business. The only thing that matters here is the 10 year tools/parts to 3rd parties. And even that is pretty fucking weak.

Out of curiosity:
What if the tenants are not able or don't want to do the repairs themselves - are they allowed to reduce rent to make up for the flat being not what they rented in the first place?
E. g. heating not working any more in one of four rooms during winter: reduce rent payment by 25%?

See also: Duluth Right to Repair website.

I was rather unclear, sorry. Isn't this already a thing? To my knowledge there's just less of a demand for learning this stuff

Ye, unfortunately a lot of manufacturers just focus on selling more rather than better products

The process ATM already requires signing a waiver. If you bring a toaster for repair, you first sign that you won’t hold them accountable if the repairer destroys it. What you’re talking about is an expansion of that. They probably would have to mention basic safety precautions but I don’t see that as a show-stopper, at least not in non-litigious parts of the world.

the goal is only to save appliances from e-waste.

Apparently I talk a lot about my repairs and renovations. Just got an app from a co-worker who is on a holiday "I got two identical appliances here that don't work. I Almost took them to recycling when it hit me : I wanna bet you 'wanna have a word or two' with them before that happens"

I’m saying they could get more leverage out of the movement if they say something like: “on date X, we are teaching refrigerator repair in the parking lot. Bring your broken fridge or just yourself.”

That opens them up to liability though. If someone tries to fix their own fridge after watching the repair cafe, and gets injured or burns down their home, they could say that they weren't taught properly.

On top of that, they probably wouldn't be able to teach you to fix every problem, just the problem that the broken fridge has on the day. If they teach you how to fix the thermostat, that won't help if you get a coolant leak.

That’s not at odds w/what I’m saying. The hands-off consumers can coexist with hands-on consumers.

I think if you ask them, they will explain a bit too

Yes but that’s ad hoc and generally limited to what I spontaneously bring them.

I’m saying they could get more leverage out of the movement if they say something like: “on date X, we are teaching refrigerator repair in the parking lot. Bring your broken fridge or just yourself.”

But the fact is, not everyone is made out to repair stuff. Some just don’t “see” it, others lack an true interest, and that’s just fine. Bottom line is things get repaid instead of simply wasted and replaced.

Indeed, I’ve noticed many consumers do not take an interest in learning. I have no issue w/that. The goal is only to save appliances from e-waste. But I’m saying they could save more from being wasted by having training sessions too.

I think if you ask them, they will explain a bit too. But the fact is, not everyone is made out to repair stuff. Some just don't "see" it, others lack an true interest, and that's just fine. Bottom line is things get repaid instead of simply wasted and replaced.

I think it's one of those things where both should exist in enough abundance that people can get their needs met, whether that means learning or getting things sorted.

It has to be said that the general shabbiness of consumer grade appliances is not helping - things need to be built so that it is possible to buy things for life.

But.. I don't want to do everything in my life myself. And this kinda thing is out there