France: New durability index of electrical and electronic equipment

 

France has published a new Order relating to display methods, signage and general parameters for calculating the durability index of electrical and electronic equipment (Arrêté relatif aux modalités d’affichage, à la signalétique et aux paramètres généraux de calcul de l’indice de durabilité des équipements électriques et électroniques).

The sustainability index consists of a score out of ten, intended to be displayed at the time of purchase to inform the consumer about the longevity of electrical and electronic products. This index is intended to replace the French repairability index by taking into account the criteria of reliability and scalability of products.

In particular, reliability includes criteria linked to the robustness of products as well as their maintenance and upkeep. This decree applies to all electrical and electronic equipment subject to calculation and display of the durability index.

The decree applies to all electrical and electronic equipment subject to calculation and display of the durability index according to the provisions of the decree relating to the terms of application of the repairability index for electrical and electronic products, to its criteria and its method of calculation.

It establishes the transversal modalities relating to the implementation of the durability index: note constituting the reparability index (article 2), display colors and signage (article 3), calculation of the index and presentation of the parameters having permit to establish it (article 4), definition of sub-criteria (article 5).

Directive (EU) 2018/851 on waste encourages member states to take appropriate measures to avoid the production of waste. Furthermore, the European Action Plan for the Circular Economy (COM (2020) 98) includes among its objectives the improvement of the durability and repairability of products. As part of law n°2020-105 of February 10, 2020 relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy and following the establishment of a European repairability index for smartphones and tablets, the France wishes to gradually replace all repairability indices with durability indices, from January 1, 2024. The first categories concerned are smartphones, televisions and household washing machines.

As with the reparability index, the texts of the reparability index do not provide for labeling of product units but for display on shelves provided by salespeople in stores or on online sales sites.

By taking into account the criteria of reliability and scalability, the sustainability index aims to encourage consumers to make their products last by favoring the purchase of more robust products, maintaining them more and repairing them once. once the product is broken or malfunctioning. Thus, the durability index complements the European repairability index with regard to consumer information in order to extend the lifespan of products. This is a major objective for reducing environmental impacts and preserving the planet’s resources because most of the environmental footprint of electrical and electronic equipment is due to their manufacturing,

This measure also aims to encourage manufacturers to integrate sustainability criteria into the design of their products, thus tending towards products that are more respectful of the environment because they are “eco-designed”.

On the environmental level, this measure will allow France to pursue its national objective of reducing resource consumption linked to French consumption: reducing resource consumption in relation to GDP by 30% by 2030 compared to 2010. (law no. 2015-992). More sustainable products will in fact lead to a reduction in resource consumption (reduction in the need for new products) and the quantity of waste from electrical and electronic products, as well as a reduction in environmental impacts (such as greenhouse gas emissions). greenhouse) associated with their manufacture and end of life.

The regulatory text can be found HERE.

To find out more environmental compliance, please contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.