Repairability Index

The reparability index and the ease of repair index
The «reparability index» is a tool introduced by the French government as part of the anti-waste law for a circular economy. It allows manufacturers of electronic devices and household appliances to calculate the reparability of their products. On the consumer side, this index provides clear information on the degree of reparability of the products they purchase. This makes it easier for consumers to make informed decisions and helps to promote sustainability.

The «repairability index» is a rating method that measures the ease and accessibility of repairing a product. Often used to inform consumers about the sustainability and durability of products, this index shows how easy and inexpensive a product is to repair. Products with a high repairability index tend to be more durable and help reduce waste by lasting longer and needing to be replaced less often.

Criteria and scoring
1. availability of repair instructions

Points: 0 to 2

  • 2 points: Complete and detailed repair instructions are freely available.
  • 1 point: Partial repair instructions are available or the complete instructions are only available against payment or registration.
  • 0 points: No repair instructions available.

2. availability of spare parts

 Points: 0 to 4

  • 4 points: All spare parts are available for at least 10 years.
  • 3 points: Spare parts are available for 5-10 years.
  • 2 points: Spare parts are available for 2-5 years.
  • 1 point: Spare parts are available for less than 2 years.
  • 0 points: Spare parts are not available.

3. price of spare parts

Points: 0 to 2

  • 2 points: Spare parts cost less than 20% of the new price of the product.
  • 1 point: Spare parts cost 20-50% of the new price of the product.
  • 0 points: Spare parts cost more than 50% of the new price of the product.

4. availability of technical information

Points: 0 to 2

  • 2 points: Technical information is complete and freely available.
  • 1 point: Technical information is partially available.
  • 0 points: Technical information is not available.

5. modularity of the design (ease of disassembly)

Points: 0 to 10

  • 10 points: The product is completely modular in design, all components are easily replaceable.
  • 5-9 points: Some components are modular, but not all.
  • 0-4 points: The product is difficult to dismantle, many components are permanently installed or difficult to access.

Significance for consumers and manufacturers
For consumers, these indices provide valuable information to help them make more sustainable purchasing decisions and reduce the total cost of ownership of a product over its lifetime. For manufacturers, they represent an opportunity to improve the reparability of their products and thereby gain a competitive advantage.

By introducing and using these indices, the French government is actively promoting a circular economy that aims to reduce waste and extend the lifespan of products. Consumers benefit from more transparent information, while manufacturers are encouraged to develop more sustainable and repair-friendly products.

The different scales of the reparability index
There are 5 levels of repairability of products in the form of 5 pictograms that allow professionals to label their product according to the calculation:

“Not repairable at all” with red pictograms, for products with a repairability index between 0 and 1.9/10

“Very difficult to repair” with orange pictograms for products with a repairability index between 2 and 3.9/10

“Difficult to repair” with yellow pictograms, for products with a repairability index between 4 and 5.9/10

“Not very repairable” with light green pictograms, for products with a repairability index between 6 and 7.9/10

“Very easy to repair” with dark green pictograms, for products with a repair index of more than 8/10

Screenshot

Source : ministère de la Transition Écologique

Rez AG has always attached great importance to the development and production of sustainable warm air showers and is far ahead of many manufacturers in this area. Proof of this is the oldest indoor swimming pool in Switzerland, where hairdryers from 1965 were in use until February 2024.

Sustainability, ease of maintenance and reparability are firmly anchored in our DNA. Our aim is to develop appliances that are easy and cost-effective to maintain for both end users and maintenance personnel. We offer a 20-year availability guarantee for spare parts, and maintenance and component replacement can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

That’s why the Rez warm air shower has earned the outstanding score of 9.5/10.