Beyond the classic warranties, several recent measures in France — driven in particular by the anti-waste and circular economy law (AGEC) — aim to extend the lifespan of products. They give you new signals to look for when buying and new rights when it’s time to repair.
The repairability index
Since 2021, certain electrical and electronic products sold in France must display a repairability index, a score out of 10. The higher the score, the easier the device is designed to be repaired.
It applies in particular to:
- smartphones and laptops;
- washing machines, televisions;
- and other categories added over time (the index is evolving into a future durability index).
The score takes into account ease of disassembly, spare parts availability, their price and the quality of the technical documentation.
Spare parts availability
Manufacturers and sellers must inform consumers of how long spare parts will remain available for a product, and supply those parts within a regulated timeframe when they exist. In practice:
- this availability period must be disclosed to you before purchase;
- for many devices, spare parts must remain available for several years after the product is discontinued;
- which makes repairing a real alternative to replacing the whole thing.
Planned obsolescence is illegal
French law penalizes planned obsolescence — techniques deliberately designed to shorten a product’s lifespan and accelerate its replacement. One more point in favor of “repair, don’t throw away.”
Repairing can even come with financial incentives
Repair support schemes (such as France’s repair bonus, available through certified repairers) reduce the cost of fixing certain out-of-warranty devices. Enough to make repairing more attractive than buying new in plenty of cases.
What this changes for you
- When buying: compare repairability scores and ask how long spare parts will be available.
- When something breaks: check your warranties first (legal, commercial), then look into repairability before considering a replacement.
- Over the long run: a repairable device that’s well looked after stays a good device far longer.
Tracking the durability of your things
Making your devices last means knowing, for each one, when it was bought, what’s still covered and where its documents are (invoice, manual, repairability score). With Keept, every item keeps that information in one place. You decide with full knowledge of the facts: repair under warranty, repair out of warranty, or replace — instead of throwing away by default.