The debate on the ecological footprint of our digital activities is increasingly topical. Especially when we know that the manufacture of our electronic devices represents nearly 70% of the total carbon footprint of digital technology in France. To better inform consumers, while encouraging manufacturers to improve the eco-design of their products, the French government has developed a rating system similar to the Nutri-Score or the energy label.
When does this index come into effect?
Its development will be rolled out piano piano throughout 2021, both for products sold in stores and on the internet. Manufacturers have a year to get up to speed. From January 1, 2022, the repression of fraud will be able to issue a ticket to traders who do not display this data. Thanks to this rating system, the government hopes that the proportion of repaired electronic devices will increase to 60% within five years (compared to 40% currently).
What information gives the repairability index?
Ranging from bright red to dark green, the label incorporates a scale with scores from 1 to 10. It must appear prominently on the product sheets near the price or directly on the packaging. Everything is done so that a consumer can easily know if the item he is about to acquire will be easily repairable. But that’s not all: to promote the fight against planned obsolescence, customers will have access to a list of spare parts from the circular economy when purchasing, in order to facilitate their procedures in the event of a breakdown.
What products will this index appear on?
For the moment, five categories of items, among the most purchased by the French, will benefit from this specific labeling: consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops and televisions, but also electrical such as washing machines. and lawn mowers. By 2023, others will gradually be added to this list.
What criteria does the score given depend on?
This score out of 10 is the average of a score out of 100 calculated on the basis of five benchmarks, each of them being rated out of 20: ease of disassembly of the product, duration of availability of technical documentation, availability of spare parts and delivery time, price of spare parts compared to that of new equipment and, finally, a final criterion specific to each product. For example for smartphones, it concerns information on the possibility of performing software updates. All these points of assessment were developed in consultation with the public authorities and consumer associations.
Who calculates the repairability index?
Neither the government nor an independent body but the builders, who assess themselves. A choice of reason because otherwise, this process would quickly have been unmanageable and too expensive to set up. To act as a safeguard, the government relies on the collaboration of consumers, but also repair companies like SOSav or iFixit, which dismantle thousands of products each year and can point out bad performers among manufacturers. In the event of obvious deception, it is possible to declare it directly on the website of the Ecological Transition Agency (ademe.fr). To easily find a repairer near you, we recommend the france-sav.fr sites or the Envie network (envie.org) which lists independent repair stations or technical centers near you.
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