With the EU setting out a green agreement that aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, research has been conducted into the shelf life of equipment that contributes to the avalanche of e-waste produced annually on the continent. In an effort to tackle the clutter problem, France voted last year to introduce an index of repairability for a range of electronics, from washing machines to smartphones. Now that the law has come into force, Apple (whose phones are notoriously difficult to fix by self-purpose) has started offering the score of the iPhone and MacBook recoverability in its online store in France.
As reported by The edge, the rating covers how easily a device can be disassembled and the availability of repair manuals and parts. The otherwise excellent iPhone 12 series received a lower recovery rating of 6/10 under the new index. Links to the full list of rated products can be found on Apple’s support page (in French). Other classifications for the company’s products differ in terms of release date and category. Last year’s iPhone 11s are between 4.5 and 4.6, while the MacBook score is between 5.6 and 7.
As of January, producers in France have been displaying color-coded labels that contain the scores on their products in stores and online. The Waste Act aims to keep buyers informed about the lifespan of their electronics to encourage them to choose items that last longer. Fines for non-compliance are expected to be introduced next year.
Although the system is based on strict guidelines, Radio France Internationale note that it is not without flaws: manufacturers deliver their own scores and can easily get points by offering simple information about software updates. Samsung, for example, gave its Galaxy S21 Plus phone a better rating than last year’s model by offering an online repair guide Le monde.
According to an EC survey, citizens support the sustainability action, with 77 percent claiming they prefer to repair a device rather than replace it. In addition, 79 percent believe that manufacturers should make their products easier to identify by providing easier access to individual parts. The EU, which already uses energy rating labels for appliances, also voted to push through the recoverability of reforms in the latest sign that the so-called ‘right to repair’ movement is building up steam.
E-waste is expected to grow to more than 52 million tonnes by the end of 2021. Smartphones, which can contain toxic metals such as arsenic and organic chemicals, are among the worst offenders. Many are not recycled properly and often end up in landfills abroad in Africa and Asia.