With the EU outlining a green deal aiming for climate neutrality by 2050, attention has turned to the sustainability of gadgets that contribute to the barrage of e-waste produced on the continent every year. Last year, in an effort to address the waste problem, France voted to introduce an index of reparability for a variety of electronics, from washing machines to smartphones. Now that the law has gone into effect, Apple (whose phones are notoriously difficult to fix with DIYs) has started listing iPhone and MacBook repair scores on its online store in France.
As reported by The edge, the rating indicates how easily a device is disassembled and the availability of repair manuals and spare parts. The otherwise great iPhone 12 range got a substandard repairability score of 6/10 under the new index. Links to the full list of reviewed products can be seen on Apple’s support page (in French). Other ratings for the company’s products vary in terms of release date and category. Last year’s iPhone 11s score between 4.5 and 4.6, while MacBook scores range from 5.6 to 7.
As of January, manufacturers in France have started displaying color-coded labels showing the scores on their products in stores and online. The anti-waste law aims to keep shoppers informed of the life of their electronics to encourage them to choose items that will last longer. Fines for non-compliance are expected to be introduced next year
Although the system is based on strict guidelines, Radio France Internationale notes that it is not without its flaws: manufacturers provide their own scores and can easily earn points by providing simple information about software updates. For example, Samsung gave its Galaxy S21 Plus phone a better score than last year’s model by offering an online repair guide, reports The world
According to an EC survey, citizens support the sustainability drive. 77 percent say they would rather repair a device than replace it. Additionally, 79 percent believe manufacturers should make their products easier to repair by providing easier access to individual parts. The EU, which already uses energy labels for appliances, has also voted to push through reparability reforms in the final sign that the so-called “right to repair” movement is building steam.
E-waste is expected to grow to more than 52 million tons by the end of 2021. Smartphones, which may 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.