Apple has launched its Self Service Repair programme in the UK, which will provide repair manuals, genuine Apple parts and tools through an official store so that customers can fix their broken gadgets at home.
Apple said self repair would also be coming to customers in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, a few weeks after the European Commission and Member State representatives agreed on new ecodesign requirements for phones and tablets.
The requirements – which are designed to improve durability and the ease of repair – will apply to smartphones and tablets in a bid to reduce their environmental impact.
Manufacturers will be obliged to give access to repair and maintenance information and spare parts to professional repairers and end-users for at least seven years after retiring a product from the market.
The Self Service Repair Store provides access to more than 200 individual parts and tools, as well as repair manuals.
Apple said that the programme enables customers who are “experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices” the opportunity to complete their own repairs using the same manuals, parts, and tools used by official repair services.
“But when a repair is needed, we want customers to have many options for safe, reliable, and secure repair. That’s why we’re excited to launch Self Service Repair in Europe, giving our customers direct access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and manuals.”
The parts that will be made available are the same ones — at the same price — as those available to Apple’s network of authorised repair providers, and customers can send replaced parts back to Apple for refurbishment and recycling.
The tools offered through Self Service Repair include torque drivers, repair trays, display and battery presses, and more.
Apple will offer week-long tool rental kits for £54.90, so that customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair still have access to these professional repair tools.
Most current smartphone self-repair schemes, including Apple’s, only cover relatively recent products.
The UK introduced ‘right to repair’ laws in July last year, which mandate that manufacturers of washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances provide spare parts for purchase.
Source: E&T
