From 10 euros for a kettle or a toaster to 45 euros for a computer: the French should benefit in mid-December from a “bonuses” to have their electrical and electronic devices repaired, an unprecedented boost to extend the life of equipment and reduce waste.
This repair fund, provided for by the circular economy law of early 2020, will come into force on December 15, with a first series of devices concerned, followed by other categories of equipment from 2024.
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Endowed with 410 million euros for six years, its financing is provided by the manufacturers, via the eco-organizations responsible for managing the end of life of the devices.
Respond to “a logic of purchasing power”
From mid-December, individuals will be able to go to one of the first 500 approved repairers (labeled “QualiRépar”), and benefit from a fixed discount on their broken down drone or hood.
Among the thirty or so types of eligible appliances: filter coffee machine, iron (10 euros), vacuum cleaner, drill/screwdriver, DVD player, home cinema, musical instrument, bicycle, scooter (15 euros), games, enclosure (20 euros), wine cellar, washing machine, fridge/freezer, tablet, mobile phone (25 euros), television, video projector (30 euros).
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The year 2024 will open to fryers, printers, food processors and other microwave ovens. In 2025, mobile air conditioners, hair dryers, fans, etc. will be included (www.ecosystem.eco/label-qualirepar). Products under warranty (legal, commercial, or via insurance) will be excluded.
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“This bonus responds to a logic of purchasing power, to reduce the cost of repair”explains Nathalie Yserd, CEO of Ecosystem, which manages this fund with another eco-organization, Ecologic.
10 million repairs every year
“Anything that contributes to increasing the lifespan of products benefits the environment, by avoiding reclaiming natural resources”she adds, addressing however “with humility” a device “precursor in Europe”.
Today, the number of repairs carried out each year in France is estimated at 10 million, where around 1.5 billion items of electrical and electronic equipment circulate. Objective: to increase this volume of repairs by 20%.
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“Any nudge that can help with the repair is favorable”underlines Alice Elfassi, legal manager of Zero Waste France, who however judges this amount “much lower than expected”.
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The NGO, along with Friends of the Earth, filed an appeal with the Council of State for the annulment of the decree creating the fund. The associations deplore a halving of the financial envelope, after intense discussions between the parties: the State has reduced from 20% to 10% the floor rate of support for repairs.
A repairability index set up
According to the two eco-organizations, the fixed prices should correspond to approximately 20% of the average cost of repair. Will this be enough to convince the consumer, first motivated, according to an Ademe survey, by the price, then by the seriousness of the repairer?
“The psychological threshold above which he will prefer to buy a new object is estimated between 25-30%. The objective is therefore to approach it.emphasizes Nathalie Yserd.
The number of approved repairers must also be extended: 1,500 are expected by 2023, and 10,000 by 2027, with all types represented (independent, manufacturer after-sales service, distributor after-sales service).
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To obtain the QualiRépar label, granted for three years, all must have submitted their application to a certifying body (Bureau Veritas, SGS or Afnor), and responded to a reference system (skills, price transparency, etc.).
A “repairability index” is also gradually being implemented in France on certain equipment, to help the consumer in his choice at the time of purchase.
