Electronic devices are very expensive in Portugal and I already gained some experiences on how the informal supply chains and cooperation networks via Spain work to save some money on shipping costs. Yesterday the renowned repair bonus was re-introduced in Vienna - a bureaucratic unicum in Europe - and I wonder if such a bonus could also be implemented in Lisbon, Porto or other European countries. Financing is provided by EU through the recovery plans/Corona economic relief funds. Best practice example in Europe
Funding is available for the repair and/or cost estimate for repair work on almost all electrical and electronic appliances that are commonly used in private households, i.e. those with power cords, rechargeable batteries, batteries or solar panels. These include coffee makers, kettles, hair dryers, televisions, electric pianos and e-guitars, hi-fi systems, smartphones, notebooks, laptops, e-bikes, blood pressure monitors, as well as drills and high-pressure cleaners. Repairs of non-electronic components, such as a defective wheel of a vacuum cleaner, also fall under the repair bonus. Gas stoves, gasoline lawn mowers and emergency generators, for example, are not covered.
How the subsidy works:
Each repair voucher covers 50 percent of the repair costs up to a maximum of 200 € - per appliance. Private individuals can download a voucher from the Reparaturbonus website and redeem it - digitally or printed - within three weeks at participating businesses/repair business network (over 1,200 in Austria). If the deadline has passed, the voucher expires without consequences. As soon as the voucher is redeemed, a new one can be requested. A maximum of 30 euros for price quotation/cost estimate or 50 percent of the eligible gross costs are subsidizable.
All participating businesses must have a branch office in Austria and a relevant business license, for example in the field of electrical engineering. Consumers must be resident in Austria. The bonus runs until 2026 and has a total volume of 130 million €.
Tax advantages:
The environmental organization Global 2000 welcomed the subsidy, but at the same time called for an extension of the subsidy to all product categories and tax advantages for all repairs. Only by avoiding new purchases could "the transition to a functioning circular economy" be achieved, said resource spokeswoman Anna Leitner.
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) described the repair bonus as a "win-win situation for the environment and consumers". The companies' participation is high, which proves that the Austrian craft and trade sector is "extremely sustainable", said Renate Scheichlbauer-Schuster, head of the federal division.
Unfortunately I missed the first two rounds, but this time will be different, in hope that my Austrian community here on Hive will take advantage of what Europe has to offer, not everything is terrible what the EU approaches. May this blogpost do good, feel free to reshare
