In France, HOP has been a catalyst in implementing a national repairability index, helping consumers make better, more responsible buying choices!
What is the repairability index?
The repairability index provides consumers with information on product repairability, with a score ranging from 0 to 10. The index must be displayed for all the products from the relevant categories sold on the French market. It must be visible directly on the product or its retail package and at the point of sale. For the online distributors, the index must be displayed next to the price.
The repairability index was introduced in France in the law against waste and for a circular economy (“loi anti-gaspillage pour une économie circulaire”) in February 2020. It was officially put into effect on January 1, 2021, one year later, for five product categories: washing machines with portholes, mobile computers, smartphones, TV monitors, and electric lawn mowers. It was the first of its kind in the world.
In 2022, thanks to the combined efforts of organizations like HOP, the repairability index was expanded to include all washing machines, automatic and cordless vacuum cleaners, and high-pressure cleaners. The index is outlined in article L.541-9-2 of the Environmental Code, which covers all French environmental legislation.
Making better choices and improving consumption habits
Manufacturing accounts for 80 per cent of product environmental impact. We must produce less and ensure our products last longer. In France, only 10 per cent of electrical and electronic items is repaired after their warranty expires. There are many obstacles to repair, including high costs, a shortage of spare parts, and products that cannot be repaired. Repair is vital for the shift towards a greener economy.
The repairability index is a step towards a deeply transformative approach that prioritizes repair over discard.
It gives individuals the opportunity to choose eco-friendly products.
Extending the lifespan of your products helps you save money! According to the French Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe), adding just one year to the lifespan of equipment (like TV sets, mobile computers, smartphones, printers, washing machines, tumble dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, vacuum cleaners and microwave ovens) can result in savings of €669 and prevent the emission of 184 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq.), which is equivalent, according to the agency, to 1,000 km of driving.
To make our products last longer, we must repair them.
France intends to progressively replace its repairability index with a more stringent durability index, which is currently only applicable to televisions and washing machines starting in 2025. HOP participates in French working groups with the goal of expanding this index to include new items, such as hair dryers, electric bikes, or wireless headphones.
How does the repairability index rating system work?
The manufacturers are assessing the repairability index using with a very comprehensive rating grid. This rules out any arbitrary approach! All the criteria have sub-criteria. All the products have their own rating grid. The score is shared with the distributor. Through this rating system, manufacturers are rewarded for their responsible practices.
The repairability index includes 5 main criteria:
- the availability over time of the documentation (such as the technical guide giving information on how to repair the product);
- the ease of disassembly, necessary tools and characteristics of the fasteners;
- the producer’s assurance regarding the long-term supply of spare parts and their delivery schedule;
- the price of spare parts;
- specific sub-criteria for each of the relevant types of products (such as the integration of a usage meter for washing machines).
*list 2: list of maximum 3 to 5 spare-parts (depending on the equipment) with the highest frequency of breakage or failure
**list 1: list of maximum 10 other spare-parts (depending on the equipment) whose good condition is essential for the equipment to function
Ensuring repair becomes a second nature
HOP is actively promoting the right to repair through advocacy and awareness-raising actions. Every year, in October, during the International Repair Day, the association jointly organises the National Repair Days in France. More than 1 000 events take place across the country and gather tens of thousands of people every year.
In France, there is also a “repair bonus” giving buyers a direct discount on the repair bill.
Scaling up the French successes at the European level
HOP is a member of the European Right to Repair coalition advocating for progress on repair issues at the European Union level.
HOP wants to introduce the French repairability and durability indexes across Europe. Organizations focused on environmental and consumer protection, such as HOP, are advocating for the adoption of an ambitious European index by the European Commission, amidst competition from lobbies. Despite all our efforts, the durability index for smartphones and tablets has not been approved and will not be implemented in France as planned. For these product categories, a less stringent European repairability index methodology will be applied, while negotiations are ongoing for other equipment.
HOP is one of the stakeholders of the new European Commission Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Forum. The European Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (“ESPR”), which entered into force in July 2024, is focusing on establishing product sustainability policies in Europe.
The former draft applied only to some ten products: washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, TV sets, welders, vacuum cleaners, computer servers, mobile phones, and tablets. The new draft should cover all the products placed on the market, excluding food, military supplies, medicine and motor vehicles.
The European Commission is convening stakeholders to the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Forum to develop the regulation working plan and identify the priority products. Industry representatives occupy 80 percent of the seats. HOP has been working hard to get the right to participate to the Forum, acting as a counterweight promoting an ambitious framework.
Get involved in the International Alliance on Durability
HOP, Repair Café Danmark and Aalborg University have established the International Alliance on Durability. The Alliance membership is free. It gives you access to a wide range of resources and a network of members organising several online meetings every year.
