Starting in January 2021, electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, TVs and computers will now have maintainability score tags. The label is mandatory for all equipment sold in European countries and is the result of a vote by the European Parliament on the right to repair.
According to iFixit, the vote required the European Commission to introduce a mandatory label that would “provide consumers with clear, visible and easy-to-understand information about the estimated service life and maintainability of the product at the time of purchase.”
The maintainability index of France is expected to set an example for other European countries. The score on the electronic product label (out of 10 points) will take into account the ease of disassembly, the availability of prices and spare parts, and the availability of maintenance information reports.
The score will be similar to the score that iFixit has awarded to devices for more than a decade.
Obviously, a recent survey conducted by the European Union shows that 77% of EU citizens prefer to repair equipment rather than replace it. As France takes the lead, other EU countries will follow suit.
The country also plans to increase the repairability index to the durability index in 2024 to let consumers know that products are not only easy to repair but also durable. Another goal is to extend the index to non-electronic products such as bicycles and furniture.
A platform will also be provided for consumers to provide feedback on the index. Citizens will be able to report false information, which will lead to sanctions from 2022.
