As the resident geek and tech support of Thoughtworthy, I’m in charge of choosing, implementing and repairing the tech in our home. I also enjoy tinkering with and finding clever ways to repurpose old gadgets — turning an outdated smartphone into a video doorbell for our apartment, or building computers out of salvaged parts and installing Linux on them.

They’re fun projects to work on when I have the time, but the truth is I simply hate seeing usable things get thrown away. The best way to reduce e-waste is to use and re-use old technology for as long as possible.

However, newer electronic gadgets are getting harder to repair or tinker with by design. Manufacturers go to great lengths — glueing parts, using proprietary screws, limiting software options — to make sure you’ll consider buying a new device as soon as your current one starts acting funny. You can choose the repair route, but since only these companies can do the repairs, they’ll make it so expensive that it’ll make more sense to simply upgrade your device.

Over the years, this has shaped consumers’ habits. We almost don’t expect to have the Right to Repair our electronics anymore. Thankfully, things are starting to move in the right direction. Or more accurately, we’re reverting back to it.

In 2021, France introduced a repairability index for electronic products as part of their efforts to combat planned obsolescence.

Soon after, an executive order that was signed in the US included instructions urging the FTC to craft new rules to prevent companies from restricting repair options for consumers.

A couple of weeks later, the FTC voted unanimously to enforce the Right to Repair policy.

We’re hoping these changes mark the start of a mindset shift, and that with time, we can escape the throwaway economy we’re currently stuck in.

Here’s a summary of two related articles about the topic:

Why You Should Care About Your Right to Repair Gadgets (New York Times)

Read full article on The New York Times

• Studies have shown that when tech products begin to fail, most people are inclined to buy new things rather than fix their old ones because repair is inconvenient and difficult.

• Right to Repair legislation would require tech and appliance manufacturers to provide the tools, instructions and parts necessary for anyone to fix their electronic gadgets.

• By making resources broadly available, unofficial repair centers could more easily compete to drive costs down. That would make repair a more compelling option for consumers compared to buying a new piece of gadget.

• The average household would save $330 a year if it repaired products rather than replaced them, according to a study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

Why France’s New Tech “Repairability Index” is a Big Deal (Wired)

Read full article on Wired

• France began requiring makers of certain electronic devices to tell consumers how repairable their products are. Manufacturers must give their products a score (repairability index) out of 10, based on a range of criteria, including how easy it is to take the product apart and the availability of spare parts and technical documents.

• The scoring system has its limitations. Perhaps most concerning, manufacturers are going to be self-reporting their scores, but it’s believed that competition will help to keep the math legitimate. (E.g. Apple could call out Samsung if they list a dubiously high repairability score for one of their smartphones)

• By 2024 the repair index will transition to a “durability index” that not only tells customers how repairable a product is but also describes its overall robustness. Repair advocates say that the index will serve as a litmus test for other nations weighing similar regulations, help consumers make better choices, and hopefully incentivize companies to manufacture more repairable devices.

We think this is a great move and hope more countries will adopt this sort of system in the near future. If manufacturers are required to put a repairability and robustness score to every single one of their products, then there should be competition to create higher quality and longer-lasting products. Eventually, we as consumers will also raise our expectations and make smarter long-term purchases.

Point of Discussion

Do you care about the repairability of your electronic gadgets? Would having a Repairability Score on products influence your purchase decisions? 🤔