Repairability Index: An Idea to Import from France?

How many times have we found ourselves with a broken smartphone or appliance and wondered: “Is it worth repairing, or is it better to buy a new one?” In France, this question has found a practical answer thanks to the Repairability Index, an innovative tool that helps consumers make more informed choices, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

What is the Repairability Index?

Since 2021, in France, all the most common electronic products, such as smartphones, TVs, laptops, washing machines, and other devices, must display a Repairability Index next to the price—a score from 1 to 10 that indicates how easy it is to repair a product.

The goal? To give consumers a clear guide to evaluate not only the initial cost of the product but also its durability over time.

How does it work?

The index is based on several criteria, each of which contributes to the final score:

1. Ease of disassembly: How simple is it to access internal components without risking damage to the product?
2. Availability of spare parts: Are parts easy to find, and at what cost?
3. Technical documentation: Does the manufacturer provide manuals and repair instructions?
4. Price of spare parts: Are the spare parts affordable compared to the cost of a new product?
5. Manufacturer support: Are there reliable after-sales assistance services?

Each product receives a score, which is then translated into a color scale:

• 8 to 10: Easy to repair, high sustainability.
• 5 to 7: Repairable with some difficulty.
• Less than 5: Difficult to repair, better to avoid.

A help for the consumer (and for the planet)

This system not only makes the choice of a product more transparent but also encourages manufacturers to design more repairable devices. An appliance or smartphone that is easy to repair not only saves money but also contributes to reducing electronic waste, one of the great environmental challenges of our time.

In France, by law, manufacturers must guarantee the availability of spare parts for at least 5 years after the product is withdrawn from the market. This means that even when a model is no longer for sale, users can find the parts necessary to keep it functional.

And in Switzerland?

Although a similar system is not yet mandatory in our country, the French Repairability Index could be a source of inspiration. More and more consumers are looking to make sustainable choices, and this transparency would be a great help in navigating the market.

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Why is it important?

• Economic: Repairing is almost always more cost-effective than replacing.
• Environmental: Reducing electronic waste is crucial for our planet.
• Ethical: Promoting responsible and sustainable consumption.

The Repairability Index is a brilliant example of how technology and legislation can work together to improve consumers' lives and protect the environment. Who knows, maybe we will soon see this precious information next to the price of products in our shops as well.

In the meantime, when we buy a new device, it is always worth asking: “How long will it last and will it be easy to repair?”

And you, in principle, do you try to repair your products or do you throw them away and buy new ones? (given that, alas, the second option is often cheaper).

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