Information to be provided on the durability and repairability of goods
Information provided on the durability, performance and repairability of goods must be truthful. Before the contract is concluded, the consumer must also be given certain information on updates, repairability and spare parts for the goods. 2
No misleading information may be given on the durability and repairability of goods
The trader may not give the consumer misleading information on the durability or repairability of goods. (Consumer Protection Act, Chapter 2, Section 6 2a, in finnish)
For example, the trader may not:
• present goods as repairable if they cannot be repaired
• give misleading information on the expected lifetime of the goods or on how much use the goods can withstand under normal conditions of use.
For example, the trader may not state that a washing machine will withstand a certain number of wash cycles in normal use in accordance with the instructions for use if this is not true in light of the actual characteristics of the goods.
The trader must provide information on updates and repairability
Before the contract is concluded, the trader must provide the consumer with certain information on updates and the repairability of the goods. Some of this information is only to be provided if the producer or service provider has made it available to the trader.
Minimum period for updates
If the producer or service provider has made information on the minimum period for updates of goods with digital elements available to the trader, the trader must inform the consumer how long the producer or service provider will provide free of charge:
• security updates
• other updates that are necessary to keep the goods with digital elements in conformity with the contract.
Repairability score
If the goods have a repairability score based on harmonised requirements established in the European Union, the seller must inform the consumer of this score. The repairability score indicates how repairable the goods are. 2
Other information on the repairability of goods
If the goods do not have a repairability score and the producer has made information on repairability available to the trader, the trader must inform the consumer:
• whether repair and maintenance instructions are available
• whether there are any restrictions on the repair of the goods
• whether the spare parts necessary to keep the goods in conformity are available
• what the estimated cost of the spare parts is
• how the spare parts can be ordered.
See also the page “Providing material information” for other key information that must be given before the contract is concluded.
The effects of updates and non‑original parts must be described correctly
Information on the effects of software updates and of consumable parts, spare parts and accessories supplied by someone other than the original producer must be truthful.
Use of non‑original parts
The trader must inform the consumer if the performance of the goods deteriorates when the following supplied by someone other than the original producer are used in the goods:
• consumable parts
• spare parts
• accessories.
The trader may not claim that the performance of the goods deteriorates if the use of parts, spare parts or accessories supplied by someone other than the original producer does not in fact impair it.
Effects of software updates
If a software update has a negative effect on the performance of goods with digital elements, the trader must inform the consumer of this.
A software update may not be presented as necessary if it only improves the functional features of the goods and is not necessary to keep the goods in conformity with the contract.
Goods whose durability has been limited may not be marketed
Goods may have a feature that limits their durability or lifetime. This may, for example, be software that, after a certain period of time, interrupts the performance of the goods or impairs it.
If information on a feature that limits durability and its effects on the durability of the goods is available to the trader, the goods may not be marketed at all.
Consumers must not be prompted to replace consumable parts too early
The trader may not prompt the consumer to replace consumable parts of the goods or to purchase additional consumable parts earlier than is technically necessary.
For example, a printer’s settings or messages must not prompt the consumer to replace an ink cartridge if the cartridge is not in fact empty and it is not yet technically necessary to replace it.