Quebec government moves to ban planned obsolescence, ensure products can be repaired
BNN Bloomberg
The Quebec government wants to legislate a ban on planned obsolescence to ensure products bought by consumers can be repaired.
It says planned obsolescence and steps taken by manufactures to limit the ability of consumers to repair products are costing Quebecers thousands of dollars and hurting the environment.
"It's normal that these goods need maintenance or repairs from time to time. What's not normal is that replacement parts aren't available or the device breaks when you try to repair it," Kariane Bourassa, the parliamentary assistant to the minister of justice, told reporters in Quebec City.
A bill introduced by the province's justice minister Thursday would ban the sale of products whose obsolescence is planned as well as require manufacturers and retailers to ensure replacement parts and repair services are available at a reasonable price for the products they sell in the province.
