CME welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the European Commission’s public consultation and call for evidence on the right to repair. Online classifieds marketplaces inherently support a culture of reuse and repair, as consumers and businesses trade second-hand goods on our platforms. Extending the lifecycle of products and encouraging circular consumption is at the heart of what we do: giving pre-owned goods a second purpose allows consumers to make environmentally positive choices and supports the transition to a more sustainable economy.
We support the Commission’s objective to promote longer product lifespans through repair and reuse. Classifieds marketplaces provide the ideal infrastructure for facilitating sales of second-hand and refurbished goods, and for supporting repair initiatives. By enabling consumers and businesses to resell, repair, and reuse products, our services actively contribute to reducing waste and encouraging fostering sustainable consumption patterns.
Recent calls from the European Parliament further highlight the importance of integrating repair and reuse requirements into upcoming EU initiatives, including the Sustainable Products Initiative and the Right to Repair framework. Potential measures recommended by CME include :
- Implementing clear labelling to inform consumers about product repairability;
- Incentivising the purchase of second-hand and refurbished goods;
- Encouraging both consumers and traders to prioritise repairs over replacement;
- Strengthening circular consumption models that reduce environmental impact and waste.
