In recent years, product reparability has gained increasing importance, both in public debates and in our consumer choices. With the rise of concerns about durability and the desire to combat planned obsolescence, new laws and initiatives have emerged to promote a circular economy. Today, tools like the repairability index and concepts such as eco-design are becoming essential to extend the life of our products and reduce their environmental impact.
This timeline outlines the major milestones in this evolution, from the initial warranty regulations to the most recent initiatives promoting product reparability. It provides a comprehensive overview of the reforms that are progressively reshaping consumer habits, both in France and internationally.
2003 – European Union
- Directive on the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
- Description : Establishes rules for the collection, treatment and recycling of electronic waste. Includes obligations for producers to finance the treatment of end-of-life equipment.
- Effective date : August 13, 2005
- Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32002L0096
2009 – European Union
- Directive on the eco-design of energy-related products
- Description : Involves manufacturers in product design to improve energy efficiency, repairability and recyclability throughout the product life cycle.
- Effective date : May 20, 2011
- Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32009L0125
2011 – European Union
- Directive on guarantees for consumer goods
- Description : Introduces harmonized rules on minimum guarantees for consumer goods in the EU. Consumers are entitled to a two-year warranty for new goods, covering lack of conformity.
- Effective date : January 1, 2014
- Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011L0083
2014 – European Union
- Directive Ecodesign Directive and the Energy Labeling Regulation
- Description : Reinforces eco-design requirements, including product repairability and durability criteria.
- Effective date : January 1, 2016
- Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32014R0518
2015 – France
- The anti-waste circular economy law
- Description : Introduces the reparability index for electronic and household electrical products, with requirements on the availability of spare parts and technical information for repairers.
- Effective date : January 1, 2021
- Source : https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000041553759/
2016 – European Union
- Law on planned obsolescence
- Description : Recognizes planned obsolescence as an environmental and economic problem. The law imposes sanctions for deliberate practices aimed at reducing product life.
- Effective date : January 1, 2017
- Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32011L0083
2017 – European Union
- Revision of the WEEE Directive
- Description : Strengthens collection, treatment and recycling obligations for electronic equipment, with more ambitious recycling targets.
- Effective date : August 14, 2018
- Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32012L0019
2019 – European Union
- European Ecodesign Directive
- Description : Introduces strict requirements on repairability, durability, and recycling of products, aiming to improve their overall sustainability.
- Effective date : January 1, 2021
- Source : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019L0621
2020 – European Union
- Standard EN45554
- Description : Standard defining criteria for assessing the reparability and reusability of electrical and electronic products, promoting more sustainable design.
- Effective date : March 2020
- Source : https://standards.cen.eu/dyn/www/f?p=204:110:0::::FSP_PROJECT,FSP_ORG_ID:68047,6201&cs=11BDEDD6C7D10EAC61170DD33EE1D78C2
2020 – European Union
- Adoption New Circular Economy Action Plan
- Description : The ESPR is a framework of legislation, meaning concrete product rules will be decided progressively over time, on a product-by-product basis, or horizontally, on the basis of groups of products with similar characteristics.
- Proposal date: March 2020
- Effective date : July 19, 2024.
- Source : https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/ecodesign-sustainable-products-regulation_en
2020 – France
- Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy (AGEC)
- Description : The AGEC law introduces measures to reduce waste, including the obligation to provide information on the reparability of products and the modification of the consumer code to regulate the availability of spare parts.
- Effective date : January 1, 2021
- Source : https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000041554924
2020 – États-Unis
- Right to Repair Directive (R2RD)
- Description : Various US states are introducing bills to guarantee access to spare parts and technical information for repairs, in response to lock-in practices.
- Bills pending since: 2020
- Source : https://www.ncsl.org/research/telecommunications-and-information-technology/right-to-repair-legislation.aspx
2021 – Japan
- Revision of the Waste Reduction Encouragement Law
- Description : Introduces measures to improve product sustainability, including requirements on repairability and technical information provided to consumers.
- Effective date : April 1, 2022
- Source : https://www.env.go.jp/en/recycle/reduction_law.html
2021 – South Korea
- Product Durability Act (PLA)
- Description : Establishes standards for product durability and the availability of spare parts, as well as the technical information needed for repairs.
- Effective date : July 1, 2022
- Source : http://eng.me.go.kr/eng/web/index.do?menuId=68
2021 – European Union
- Directive amending Directives 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU
- Description : This directive strengthens consumer rights in terms of ecological transition, by improving protection against unfair practices and requiring more transparent information on product durability.
- Effective date : January 1, 2023
- Source : https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000042525465
2022 – European Union
- The European Commission’s Circular Economy Package
- Description : Reinforces requirements for product reparability and durability with obligations for manufacturers, and introduces measures to support a circular economy.
- Effective date : January 1, 2023
- Source : https://ec.europa.eu/environment/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en
2023 – Australia
- Right-to-repair reforms
- Description : Introduces legislation to improve the repairability of electronic and household electrical products, including requirements on the availability of spare parts and access to technical information.
- Effective date : July 1, 2024
- Source : https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/National_Cabinet/Right_to_Repair
2023-2024 – Mexico
- Electronic Products Repairability Law
- Description : Proposes requirements to improve the repairability of electronic products, with obligations for manufacturers to provide spare parts and technical information.
- Effective date : January 1, 2025
- Source : https://mexicobusiness.news/automotive/news/ina-signs-joint-statement-right-repair
2024 – European Union
- Directive on repair of goods
- Description : Will propose reinforced requirements for product repairability, lifetime, and the provision of clear information to consumers on repairability. This directive should also strengthen requirements for the digital product passport.
- Effective date : July 26, 2025
- Source : https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-topic/consumer-protection-law/consumer-contract-law/directive-repair-goods_en
2024-2025 – India
- Product sustainability reform
- Description : Introduce measures to promote product durability and repairability, with requirements on service life and availability of spare parts.
- Effective date : January 1, 2026
- Source : https://www.bsr.org/en/emerging-issues/right-to-repair
2025 – Canada
- Right-to-repair legislation
- Description : Adopt laws guaranteeing the right to repair products, with requirements on the availability of replacement parts, access to technical information, and manufacturers’ obligations to design repairable products.
- Effective date : January 1, 2026
- Source : https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2024/06/government-of-canada-launches-consultation-on-right-to-repair-to-better-meet-canadian-consumers-needs.html
2026 – United States
- Extension of “Right to Repair” initiatives
- Description : Federal rules will be extended to include more product categories with higher standards for manufacturers in terms of repairability, access to replacement parts and transparency.
- Effective date : January 1, 2027
- Source : https://www.mema.org/news/bipartisan-auto-right-repair-legislation-re-introduced-congress
2027 – Australia
- Reform of the Waste Management Act
- Description : Introduce enhanced requirements for product repairability and durability, with measures to improve waste management and support the circular economy.
- Effective date : July 1, 2028
- Source: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/BudgetReview202223/BuildingAustraliasCircularWasteEconomy
2028 – Japon
- Revision of the Circular Economy Law
- Description : Will strengthen requirements for product repairability and durability, with measures to encourage sustainable consumption practices and reduce waste.
- Effective date : April 1, 2029
- Source : https://enviliance.com/regions/east-asia/jp/report_2756
2029 – European Union
- Revision of eco-design regulation
- Description : Will introduce more ambitious targets for product reparability and sustainability, with increased requirements to support the circular economy, improve waste management, and promote sustainable practices.
- Effective date : January 1, 2030
- Source : Euractiv – EU Circular Economy and Politico Europe.