From 10 euros for a kettle or a toaster to 45 euros for a computer: the French should benefit in mid-December from a “bonus” to have their electrical and electronic appliances repaired, according to Franceinfo.

This is an unprecedented boost to extend the life of equipment and reduce waste.

This repair fund, provided for by the circular economy law of early 2020, will come into force on December 15, with a first series of devices concerned, followed by other categories of equipment from 2024.

Thirty eligible devices

Endowed with 410 million euros for six years, its financing is provided by the manufacturers, via the eco-organizations responsible for managing the end of life of the devices.

From mid-December, individuals will be able to go to one of the first 500 approved repairers (labeled “QualiRépar”), and benefit from a fixed discount on their broken down drone or hood.

Among the thirty types of eligible devices: filter coffee maker, iron (10 euros), vacuum cleaner, drill/screwdriver, DVD player, home cinema, musical instrument, bicycle, scooter (15 euros), game console, enclosure (20 euros), wine cellar, washing machine, fridge/freezer, tablet, mobile phone (25 euros), television or video projector (30 euros).

The year 2024 will open to fryers, printers, food processors and other microwave ovens.

In 2025, mobile air conditioners, hair dryers, fans, etc. will be included. Products under warranty (legal, commercial or via insurance) will be excluded.

"This bonus responds to a logic of purchasing power, to reduce the cost of repair", explains Nathalie Yserd, general manager of Ecosystem, which manages this fund with another eco-organization, Ecologic.

"Anything that contributes to increasing the lifespan of products benefits the environment, by avoiding reclaiming natural resources", she adds, however addressing "with humility" a device "precursor in Europe".



A boost considered insufficient by some

Today, an estimated 10 million repairs are carried out each year in France, where around 1.5 billion pieces of electrical and electronic equipment circulate.

Objective: to increase this volume of repairs by 20%.

"All the nudges that can help with the repair are favorable", underlines Alice Elfassi, legal manager of Zero Waste France, who however judges this amount "far lower than what was hoped for".

The NGO 'Les Amis de la Terre' filed an appeal for annulment of the decree creating the fund before the Council of State.

The associations deplore a halving of the financial envelope, after intense discussions between the parties: the State has reduced from 20% to 10% the floor rate of support for repairs.

According to the two eco-organizations, the fixed prices should correspond to approximately 20% of the average cost of repair.

Will this be enough to convince the consumer, first motivated by the price and then by the seriousness of the repairer, according to a survey by Ademe?

“The psychological threshold above which he will prefer to buy a new object is estimated between 25 and 30%.

The objective is therefore to get close to it”, emphasizes Nathalie Yserd.

“It brings back the human”

The number of approved repairers must also be extended: 1,500 are expected by 2023, and 10,000 for 2027, with all types represented (independent, after-sales service manufacturers, after-sales service distributors).

To obtain the QualiRépar label, granted for three years, all must have submitted their application to a certifying body (Bureau Veritas, SGS or AFNOR), and responded to a reference system (skills, price transparency, etc.).

Among the first to be approved was Maison Chartres, which sells and repairs household appliances near Chartres.

Its manager Emilie Lecuyer hopes that this bonus “will help the repair process”: “We have to stop wasting!

I prefer to make it last 5 more years.

And if the customer is happy, in 5 years he will buy from me.

People need to be accompanied, it brings back people, know-how”.

And even if some devices are not unscrewable, or are molded in one piece, “brands always allow repair”, she notes.

A “repairability index” is thus gradually being implemented in France on certain equipment, to help the consumer in his choice at the time of purchase.

Planet

Toulouse: A repair bonus to bring objects back to life instead of throwing them away

Planet

Conso: Why is the repair fund, supposed to boost this option in France, still not in place?

  • Assistance

  • Waste

  • electronic

  • Company