New EU-wide product repair rules come into force

Re:New EU-wide product repair rules come into force by microtonal on Monday August 24, 2026 @05:21AM (#49417232)

IMO this is one of the biggest gaps in the new EU repair rules (from what I have seen of it). It should mandate unlockable bootloaders, etc. or at the very least an unlockable bootloader once the regular support period is over.

Imagine the cool things people could do with old iPads. Put Android or Ubuntu Touch and give it to people who cannot afford a tablet. Wall display for Home Assistant. Rip out the batteries and have a very low energy ARM server, etc.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:New EU-wide product repair rules come into force by ethbr1 on Monday August 24, 2026 @06:30AM (#49417780)

> an unlockable bootloader once the regular support period is over

If we're talking about a 15-year old device, it definitely feels like requiring (1) a boot loader unlock method & (2) all technical specs required for basic functioning (display, input, compute) aren't overly burdensome on Apple et al.

Essentially mandating a corporate 'methods and specifications' EOL requirement to avoid device obsolescence.

This would also have a side effect of giving the EU a regulatory trade barrier against sketchy fly-by-night Chinese tech (e.g. "DMOAO tablet").

And encouraging tier I tech device manufacturers to offer longer warranties, in their own self-profit-interest.

[ Parent | on HN ]