The price of spare parts: a key issue for product reparability
The price of spare parts plays a crucial role in product reparability. Although a product may be technically repairable, the high cost of parts may dissuade consumers from repairing it. At LONGTIME®, we include this criterion in our assessments in order to promote the sustainability of products.
Recommended improvements to spare parts prices in the French reparability index and standard EN 45554
French reparability index
The French reparability index includes the price of spare parts by comparing the cost of the most expensive part with the average price of other parts. However, organisations such as HOP, iFixit and Right to Repair recommend a more precise and nuanced methodology, with which LONGTIME® agrees:
– Spare part < 10% of the product price : Score of 10 points.
– Spare part > 30% of the product price : Score of 0 points, with intermediate thresholds.
European standard EN 45554
The EN 45554 standard is now the benchmark for assessing the reparability, reusability and improvement of electrical and electronic products. However, players such as the LONGTIME® label and Repairability software go beyond the criteria of this standard by integrating essential parameters such as the price of spare parts.
Standard EN 45554 defines the methods used to assess the ability of products to be repaired and reused. It includes criteria such as the ease with which the product can be dismantled and the availability of spare parts and repair information.
However, this standard does not include the price of spare parts, a key factor for consumers. In fact, a technically repairable product will be replaced if the repair costs are too high.
Research project on the application of standard EN 45554 to coffee machines
A scientific study entitled ‘Repair Index of Energy-Related Products: Application to Capsule Coffee Machines’ recently analysed the application of standard EN 45554 by applying the methodology to capsule coffee machines. The researchers identified several potential improvements, including a major one: incorporating the price of spare parts. The study proposes measuring the average cost of essential parts in relation to the total price of the product. This is in line with approaches such as the French reparability index, but extends their application.
The new European index and the standard: gaps to be filled
Unfortunately, the new European reparability index, based on the methodology of standard EN 45554 which classifies the reparability of products in classes from A to E, does not include the criterion of the price of spare parts. LONGTIME® is campaigning for the inclusion of this essential parameter in order to encourage more responsible practices and reduce barriers to repair.
The decision-makers justify the exclusion of parts prices on the grounds of their variability over time and their limited impact (0.5 points) on the overall score.
In our opinion, however, this argument cannot be accepted: the price of parts is a determining factor in reparability, as the French index has shown. An appropriate weighting could give this criterion proportional importance. Manufacturers should publish a maximum price for parts before purchase on their documents and websites.
LONGTIME® and the Repairability software: demanding approaches
LONGTIME® applies the same EN 45554 methodology in its Repairability software, and in the label criteria, while adopting an even stricter stance.
To explore this subject further, LONGTIME® carried out an in-depth study simulating 8 different parts price scenarios to evaluate the various methods of analysing spare parts prices. The results confirm that our approach is both robust and relevant.
For example, a product that is technically very repairable but where 4 of the most essential parts cost more than 30% of the price of the product could obtain a score of more than 8/10 using the French index. However, using the Repairability methodology, this same product would obtain a score of 50/100, i.e. the worst E class, and would therefore be much more heavily penalised.
In our view, this approach better reflects reality: consumers abandon repairs when the price of repair becomes discouraging (>30% of the product). In fact, several studies have shown that consumers rarely repair their products when the price of parts exceeds 30% of the price of the new product. This is why the Repairability methodology applies a significant penalty to products whose essential parts exceed this threshold.
LONGTIME® and its Repairability software have therefore chosen to add the criterion of the price of parts to their methodology, thereby reinforcing the relevance of the assessment. These initiatives take into account the economic realities that directly influence repair decisions.
More specifically, as part of its label, LONGTIME® requires the average cost of spare parts to be limited to an average of 25% of the price of the product. This guarantees affordability and encourages manufacturers to adjust their prices to obtain a better rating or to qualify for the label. And it works! Several manufacturers have reduced the price of their spare parts during the course of our support to improve reparability, and this is perfectly feasible.
Concrete proposals for joint improvements
Alongside the Right to Repair Europe coalition and other committed players, we are calling for measures to include a criterion linked to the price of spare parts in European ecodesign and energy labelling regulations. Here are some key proposals:
1. Commitment on the price of spare parts:
– The advertised price of spare parts (excluding tax) must become a binding ceiling for manufacturers.
– These prices must be declared in product documentation and available on a public website for the entire duration of the supply of parts.
– Companies must ensure that these prices remain below the declared thresholds, with the possibility of updating them annually in line with inflation.
2. Inclusion of the price of parts in the reparability score:
– The price of spare parts must be included in future reparability scores (smartphones, computers, printers, etc.), both in France and in Europe.
– A significant weighting (at least 20%) should be assigned to this criterion, as it has a direct influence on perceived and actual reparability.
3. Transparency for consumers :
– The prices of parts must be clearly accessible, for example on the vendor’s website or via a QR code.
The LONGTIME® label shows that the commitment to stable and accessible prices is achievable. The absence of regulation on the price of parts can lead to greenwashing practices, where products rated ‘repairable’ become irreparable in practice because the parts are too expensive.
Conclusion
To promote real and sustainable reparability, it is crucial to include the price of spare parts as a central criterion in all assessments, whether national or European. LONGTIME® is showing the way by encouraging manufacturers to review their pricing policies and by raising consumer awareness of the importance of this factor. Together, we can make repairs accessible to everyone and promote the sustainability of products even further.
Sources :
https://repair.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Feedback-R2R-on-Tumble-dryers-repair-score.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352550924000368
https://www.economie.gouv.fr/particuliers/tout-savoir-indice-reparabilite