81% of French people have a good image of it… but only 36% take action. This is the whole paradox of repair, highlighted by the Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe) dans a 2019 study, and which we struggle to get rid of in France. However, “extending the lifespan of our products through repair is an effective tool for responding to the ecological emergency, returning to greater sobriety and social justice”, points out Stop planned obsolescence (HOP)which works to anchor this reflex in the French way of life.
To move in this direction, the association co-organizes, with Make.org Foundation, the first edition of National Repair Days, from Friday to Sunday. Manual workshops, activities, conferences, debates, tutorials… More than 1,000 events are scheduled over these three days (the map is here). Laëtitia Vasseur, general delegate and co-founder of HOP, deciphers the challenges of this first edition to 20 minutes.
Why do you want to launch these first National Repair Days this year?
The idea was to fill a void in France. L’International Repair Day [Journée internationale de la réparation] has existed for several years now. In several countries, associations marked the occasion by organizing events around repair and communicating a lot about it. But in France, apart from local and scattered repair café initiatives, we were quite behind. And it’s all the more unfortunate that the lines have been shifting in recent years.
This is the whole purpose of these first National Repair Days, which we are organizing with Make.org. These 1,000 events will raise awareness among elected officials and citizens, raise awareness of initiatives and solutions closest to home…
You say that the lines have started to move in recent years…
For some time now, we have seen an increase in citizen and association initiatives. Whether it is the repair cafesthird places, neighborhood associations, FablabTHE resource and recycling centers… The creation of these places, which are an essential pillar of the circular economy, are even supported by local authorities. This is the case of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which voted for an investment plan in this area.
At the same time, the Anti-Waste law for a circular economy (Agec) of 2020 also resulted in interesting measures. In particular the repairability index, a rating of 0 to 10 obligatorily affixed to more than 33 million products sold in France, from eight families*. Also the repair bonus, an immediate reduction on the bill for those who take the step of having it repaired their electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) rather than replacing them with a new one.
Precisely, the reparability index has been in place since January 1, 2021… Has it already had positive effects?
The issue of this index is twofold. This involves both directing consumers towards products that are the most repairable, but also pushing manufacturers to review the design of their products. The first feedback we have received is encouraging. Not only is it gradually becoming a criterion in consumer choice, but the average rating is increasing. A sign, a priori, that manufacturers are starting to improve the repairability of their products. France has taken the lead with this repairability index and is inspiring the European Union. A similar index will be created on smartphones and tablets in mid-2025.
And we are preparing to take another step forward by transforming, in 2024, our repairability index in “durability index” for three product families: smartphones, washing machines and televisions. This is going in the right direction. The durability rating will tell you if the product is easily repairable and will tell you how sturdy it is. In short: will it break down easily or not?
Is the outcome also satisfactory for the repair bonus?
No, the results are completely unsatisfactory for the moment in view of the potential. As a reminder, this bonus was launched at the end of December. It allows you to receive an immediate reduction on your bill when you have an item repaired out of warranty with a certified repairer. Thirty-one families of products are covered, from the washing machine to the lawn mower, including the smartphone, the camera or the vacuum cleaner… In June, according to an initial report, 51,000 repairs had triggered this bonus. This is proof that, where it is known, the device works. There is nothing surprising: for 68% of French people, the price is the first obstacle to repair. But that’s the whole problem today: this bonus is too little known. From Monday, Hop will launch a communication campaign to remedy this. But it is also up to the State and the eco-organizations responsible for financing this repair bonus to make it known.
And that’s not its only weak point**. Bonuses are often too ungenerous in the amount of aid granted to be an incentive. On July 4, Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition, committed to experimenting a “super bonus” across three product families. A consultation was immediately launched with the various stakeholders concerned which ended on September 15. HOP’s proposal to double the bonus amount on washing machines, televisions and vacuum cleaners was well received. In detail, the average amount of the reduction would increase from 25 to 50 euros on the first two categories and from 15 to 30 euros on vacuum cleaners. We are now awaiting Christophe Béchu’s decision. We hope so as soon as possible.
Do you have the impression that the reflex is still largely, in France, to buy new every time an object breaks down?
It would be worth updating the Ademe studies, but it is unlikely that we will be out of this paradox of repair in France. Between on one side its good image and, on the other, the few French people who take action. There are still brakes. On the price of repairs, the eco-design of products, the number of repairers… This is also the aim of these first National Repair Days. This will put pressure on the government by showing that there are expectations.