Brazilian Senate committee approves bill against planned obsolescence

The Senate Oversight and Control Commission (CTFC) has approved Bill 805/2024, which aims to prohibit planned obsolescence and regulate the consumer right to repair in Brazil. The legislation, authored by Senator Ciro Nogueira, seeks to amend the Consumer Defense Code by banning the intentional reduction of product durability and restricting access to manuals, parts, and tools necessary for repairs.

Under the proposal, manufacturers and importers must ensure the availability of replacement parts for at least five years after a product enters the market, with some categories requiring availability for up to 20 years. The bill also prohibits manufacturers from refusing repairs performed outside authorized networks, provided the intervention does not compromise safety or quality. Additionally, amendments prohibit performance reductions or error alerts triggered by the use of non-official parts.

Non-compliance could result in fines ranging from R$ 10,000 to R$ 50 million. The project now moves to the Chamber of Deputies.