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France’s Repairability and Durability Index: Empowering Sustainable Consumer Choices

The durability index is complementary to the repairability index. In our fast-paced consumer landscape, many of us have encountered the frustration of electronics that seem to fail right after the warranty ends. As global concerns about waste and sustainability grow, France has taken bold steps to address this issue. In 2021, the country launched the reparability index, an innovative tool to help consumers evaluate the repairability of various products. France is expanding this initiative with a new durability index, set to debut in 2025, starting with washing machines and televisions. These two indices, taken together, represent a shift in how we design, purchase, and dispose of these products, encouraging manufacturers and consumers to prioritize sustainability.

Repairability and durability index

The Reparability Index: A Pioneer in Sustainable Consumerism

The French reparability index was introduced in January 2021 as part of the broader Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (anti-gaspillage pour une économie circulaire AGEC). The index provides consumers with an easy-to-understand score, ranging from 1 to 10, that reflects how easily a product can be repaired, in virtue of the right to repair. The goal is to combat planned obsolescence and to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills. Instead of replacing, people must repair. Details on the reparability index are available on the French government website.

How Does the Reparability Index Work?

The reparability index currently applies to five major product categories:

  1. Smartphones
  2. Laptops
  3. Televisions
  4. Washing machines
  5. Lawnmowers

 

For each product, manufacturers must display a repairability score, which must be visible to consumers at the point of sale. The score follows several criteria, including:

  • Availability of technical documentation: Can repair professionals and consumers access manuals and schematics without problems?
  • Ease of disassembly: Is the product designed to be separated without special tools or damaging components?
  • Availability and pricing of spare parts: Are they readily available at a reasonable price?
  • Product-specific repairability features: They vary by product type. However, they may include aspects like modular components or software that facilitates repair.

 

This score provides consumers with clear guidance on which products are the most likely to last and be maintained over time. For example, if a washing machine has a high reparability score, its parts are easy to access and replace. Therefore, consumers save money and can extend the product lifespan.

The Success of the Reparability Index

Since its introduction, the reparability index has proven to be a significant step forward in the fight against electronic waste. A French Ministry of Ecological Transition report found that the index influences consumer behavior, with many opting for more repairable devices. In fact, by making repairability a key purchasing criterion, the index helps level the playing field for smaller companies and encourages large manufacturers to improve their product designs.

Introducing the Durability Index: A Complementary Approach

Building on the success of the reparability index, France launches the durability index in 2025. While the reparability index focuses on how easy it is to fix a product, this one expands the scope to evaluate how long a product lasts in foreseeable use. It is another weapon in the fight against waste and environmental degradation, pushing consumers and manufacturers toward a more circular economy. Here is an official communication about the index.

How Does the Durability Index Work?

The durability index also scores products on a scale of 1 to 10, but this time, it reflects the product’s overall longevity and robustness. The first two categories to be rated are washing machines and televisions, with more products expected to follow in future years.

French durability index exemples

The score results in several factors, including:

1. Wear and tear resistance: How well does the product hold up under regular use?

2. Availability of spare parts: Can consumers easily find parts needed for maintenance and repair, and will those parts remain available for several years?

3. Long-term reliability of critical components: Are elements like motors or screens built to last without frequent failure?

4. Updates and software longevity: For electronics, can software updates be provided for a long period to keep the device functional and secure, like smart TVs?

The durability index empowers consumers to make more informed decisions by displaying products with a lower environmental impact. It also offers better value for money over the long term.

Why Focus on Washing Machines and Televisions?

Washing machines and televisions are two household staples with significant environmental impacts. Washing machines use large amounts of energy and water. On the other hand, televisions, especially those with advanced display technologies, often face issues like screen failure or reduced energy efficiency over time. These two products are also frequently discarded due to minor problems, even when we can easily repair them. By launching the durability index with these product categories, France targets two areas where extended product lifespans could reduce waste and energy consumption.

How the Durability Index Fits Into France's Sustainability Goals

The durability index is part of France’s broader efforts to promote a circular economy, which aims to minimize waste by prolonging products, materials, and resources in use. The Anti-Waste Law passed in 2020 set the stage for these types of initiatives with several key goals:

  • Reducing waste generation: By encouraging durable and repairable products, the law seeks to reduce the amount of waste that needs management.
  • Extending product life cycles: The reparability and durability indexes are designed to simplify the option of longer-lasting products.
  • Improving recycling and reusability: Repairable products and replaceable components reduce the demand for new raw materials and energy.

Further, these measures align with the European Union Green Deal and Ecodesign Directive, which aim to make sustainable products the norm across the EU. By leading the charge on durability, France sets an example that could inspire similar regulations throughout Europe and beyond. For instance, it can influence an amendment of Bill C-244 in Canada.

What Does This Mean for Manufacturers?

For manufacturers, the reparability and durability indexes present both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, companies need to redesign their products to meet these new criteria, which may increase costs in the short term. However, there are clear advantages for businesses that embrace this shift. Products with high reparability and durability scores could stand out in the marketplace, attracting eco-conscious consumers willing to invest in longer-lasting goods.

Moreover, by focusing on durability, companies can differentiate themselves as leaders in sustainability. They can align with growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products.

Conclusion: A Path Toward a Sustainable Future

France’s reparability and durability indexes represent a significant step forward in the fight against waste and for sustainable consumption. By making it easier for consumers to choose repairable and durable products, these initiatives are helping to shift the economy away from the throwaway culture that has dominated for so long. As these indexes keep expanding to other product categories, the ripple effect could be felt across Europe and the world, driving manufacturers and consumers toward more sustainable practices. Finally, the reparability and durability indexes are more than just scores. They are tools for building a more sustainable future.

For more information on the reparability and durability indexes, contact Enviropass!