In its efforts to advance the transition to a Circular Economy, the European Commission is currently strengthening consumer guarantee rights, using product and design requirements, and consulting with standardization bodies in order to promote product durability and enable repair and reselling.

Nevertheless, owners cannot actually repair their vehicles because they are not allowed to alter the software. They cannot fully use or reuse products they have acquired, nor can they resell at a price encompassing the upgraded services they have paid the manufacturer for. This is not the foundation for an inclusive circularity where consumers are able to directly contribute to extending a products’ life and share in the extra value it generates.