Planned obsolescence, including aesthetic, technological, technical and software obsolescence, encompasses all the techniques designed to deliberately reduce a product’s lifespan (or active use lifetime) to increase its replacement rate. It has become an increasingly widespread approach for an unsustainable consumer society. Not only does it deprive people of their rights to the sustainable use of their goods, but this production and consumption model also relies on the extraction of raw material and the exploitation of land and resource, which are reaching their limits.
We acknowledge the medium and long-term climate, environmental, geopolitical, social and health challenges and we want to think and act to shape the world we want to live in. Since there is no coordinated action against planned obsolescence, citizens, intellectuals, elected representatives, manufacturers, designers and all the parties eager to tackle this issue are joining together to promote responsible consumption and a global economic alternative.
Rethink our system together
Planned obsolescence is emblematic of a more global issue– wasting, which is based on an unsustainable linear production and consumption-driven model. HOP’s mission is to contribute to building the foundation of a new vision for our society. Therefore, the association aims to examine, propose and discuss systemic solutions with the support of experts, intellectuals, entrepreneurs and all other specialists. It provides insights into understanding and analysing planned obsolescence using a positive approach.
Promote the emergence of a new sustainable economic and social model
While we challenge the predominant economic model based on mass production and consumption – thereby requiring a high rate for product replacement –, we promote long-term sustainable economic alternatives, especially economic models based on product use (the functional economy), resource reuse (the circular economy) or stakeholder collaboration for more efficient production (the collaborative economy). Nevertheless, we will closely monitor the potential ecological and social impact of alternative models while phasing out planned obsolescence. Fair wealth distribution, social equality, democracy, and environmental preservation must be at the centre of innovative models.
Protect and inform citizens
Both technical and software planned obsolescence directly infringes on consumers’ rights, as products are not designed to last or to keep on function normally. Information on product repairability, lifespan, or the effective manufacturing and legal warranty is often kept intentionally hidden from buyers. Our work focuses on defending consumers by providing more information, supporting socially conscious choices, facilitating access to concrete workarounds and assisting in defending against fraud, particularly through legal action. Ultimately, we are committed to championing the right of all citizens to sustainable products.
Tackle marketing-induced obsolescence
Planned obsolescence reflects the dynamics of our consumer society. It is mainly based on an ecologically unsustainable social construct. Our goal is to promote cutting down on needs and to foster “happy sobriety” or “deliberate simplicity”. We deplore overconsumption founded on the stimulation of artificial needs, which is driven by unscrupulous advertising, industrial and business strategies. We also seek to tackle marketing-induced obsolescence and to promote citizens’ awareness of buyers’ choices and responsibilities. Therefore, our work extends beyond putting forward mere ecological or technological workarounds to planned obsolescence, but it focuses on a radical transformation of consumerist culture.
Act locally with citizens
Our current system is based on consumption, with customers having a key role since producers are entirely dependent on buyer behaviour. Thus, citizens’ role, responsibilities, and powers should not be underestimated. Buyers are far from powerless and have real power to act, provided they get organized and cooperate to change the rules rather than remain isolated and divided. We want to raise awareness and gather as many people as possible to foster the emergence of new production and consumption models, while working to put an end to industrial and business planned obsolescence practices. Many current alternatives are already working effectively. By facilitating the emergence of local forums and groups, we aim to amplify the impacts of sharing, thinking and networking initiatives from those communities.
Empowering people to act locally gives them the opportunity to implement immediate changes in the lives of citizens. Matching community skills and talents fosters concrete action and has an impact on common familiar environments. Moreover, while acting locally, you repair social ties, which are crucial for global change.
Take legal action against planned obsolescence practices
While citizens have a significant role to play, we must oppose manufacturers and distributors that foster planned obsolescence. We shall leverage and support all the approaches and tools to put an end to those deceptive practices, including through media and legal action. We do not intend to demonize all companies, as some of them may also be affected by the current economic model, but we want to record and take legal action against wrongful practices. The association HOP (Stop Planned Obsolescence) affirms that law and justice are central to ensuring access to a sustainable lifestyle and shaping the future we want.
Promote innovation and sustainable initiatives
A growing community of manufacturers, entrepreneurs, engineers and creators, including designers, start-ups, and fab labs, provide concrete solutions and practices to get rid of planned obsolescence and develop alternatives. We value and encourage new sustainable and responsible production models. Our association promotes a vision of progress, innovation and technology aligning with real environmental and social progress.
Protect the environment from planned obsolescence
Acknowledging the environmental impact of our current model is another rationale for tackling planned obsolescence. Overconsumption and overproduction resulting from these deceitful practices generate excessive waste and pollution, as well as global warming, with an unsustainable impact on the environment and human health. Planned obsolescence is an international issue with human and environmental impacts. Together with environmental protection stakeholders, including grassroots organizations, we aim to raise awareness and take action to preserve the environment and human health.
Support policymakers
Our association provides records, proposals and expertise that primarily aim to support policymakers and helps the stakeholders through advocacy. It also delivers training and facilitation support for working groups, particularly for local elected representatives, public actors, companies, and entrepreneurs.
An innovative, open and fair organization
To advance concrete alternatives, we need united consumer-citizens, manufacturers, intellectuals and policymakers. Within our association, all parties stand on an equal footing and work collaboratively.
An independent and non-partisan association
HOP is driven by independence, transparency and collaboration for the common good. It is globally free from any non-binding partisan, financial, religious, union, or corporatist commitments.
Our association is not affiliated with any party. It is addressing issues transcending political divides. With defined goals that benefit from policymakers’ support, our association maintains an utterly independent stance.
