“Right to Repair” is a campaign being undertaken by the independent aftermarket to preserve the future of our industry and freedom of choice for the consumer. The video below explains the issue in detail and how the practical ability of independent garages to work on modern vehicles is under threat.

If you own or work in an independent garage or other aftermarket business, or are a member of the public who uses a local independent garage for your car servicing and repair, this issue affects you!

Block Exemption is the European regulation that allows car owners to have their vehicle serviced outside of the main dealer network, without invalidating the manufacturer’s warranty (subject to certain conditions, such as the use of parts that meet the same quality standards as the vehicle manufacturer’s original equipment parts).

Active participation in the Right to Repair Campaign is more important than ever before, because renewal of the current Block Exemption regulation (EC 1400/2002) looks in doubt.

A leaked draft of the European Commission’s latest evaluation report on the impact of EC 1400/2002 suggests European decision makers believe the existing Block Exemption is no longer needed. They appear to think that other existing legislation (such as Article 80 of the Treaty of Rome, which focuses on preventing anti-competitive practices) is adequate to protect both the consumer’s freedom of choice and the independent Aftermarket’s ability to compete with vehicle manufacturers and franchised dealers on service and repair work.

In fact, the “hotch potch” of separate pieces of legislation lacks many important provisions for the realities of the motor industry. The proposed changes would make it harder to be certain about the law and make it much more difficult and expensive for the independent aftermarket to obtain redress. Its ability to compete – and to provide motorists with freedom of choice – will be severely reduced. Relying on this “legal patchwork” will also inevitably result in consumers being much worse off.

Worried? You should be!
But there is good news – the future of Block Exemption is by no means decided and in the Right to Repair Campaign our industry has a committed, united front that can influence the final outcome. What the small group of individuals who are taking our industry’s cause to the European Parliament need more than anything else, is to be able to show that there is popular support for the scheme.

And this is where you come in...

	Things you can do to actively participate in The Right to Repair Campaign... Sign the online petition - The first and most important thing you can do is sign the online petition. Click here to be taken to the R2RC website petition page. Write to / Email your local MEP/MP - Explaining your concern and the impact you think it will have on consumer freedom of choice. Click here to find your local MEP/MP. Click here For a Word template letter to send to your MEP. Click here For a Word template letter to send to your MP. Tell your customers about it - If you own or work in an independent garage, explain to your customers that if they value the service they get from you then they can do something to safeguard it. Ask them to write to / email their local MEP. Click here to find your local MEP/MP. Click here For a Word template letter to send to your MEP. Click here For a Word template letter to send to your MP. You can also make your customers aware of the issue by displaying the R2RC poster in your reception or workshop. To request your FREE* R2RC poster click here. *Subject to availability, one per business

How non-renewal of Block Exemption Regulation could affect independent garages, consumer choice and Road Safety

	BER system replaced by many separate pieces of legislation concerning competition and consumer choice.

	Cost (in time and money) to the independent garage to prize technical information out of VM's becomes unbearable.

	Independent garages unable to service cars.

	Independent garages go out of business. Jobs are lost. Consumers have less choice of where to have their cars serviced.

	Main dealers have less competition and put up their labour rates. Cost to consumers goes up.

	Consumers cannot afford to service cars as often as required. Parts are not changed when they should be.

	More accidents occur due to parts being in use beyond their service life.