Repairability Index

What is the Repairability Index?

The repairability index is a standardised metric, expressed on a 0 to 10 scale, that measures how easily a product can be repaired throughout its life cycle.

Introduced in France in 2021 and adopted in the proposed Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the index aims to empower consumers, encourage eco-design, and reduce waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

A score of ≥ 7/10 is considered optimal; below 4/10, a product is classified as difficult to repair.

Calculation Criteria

Under the official methodology (Arrêté DUERP 2022), up to 100 points are awarded as follows:

• Spare parts (20 pts)
  Availability and range of critical components (screen, battery, motor) for 10 years.
• Spare parts pricing (20 pts)
  Spare parts must not exceed 30% of the product’s retail price.
• Documentation (20 pts)
  Free manuals, 3D diagrams, and official videos accessible online.
• Disassembly (40 pts)
  Number of steps, use of standard tools, and absence of destructive fixings (permanent adhesives).
• Software updates (bonus +10 pts)
  For connected devices: seven years of security patches and OS updates.

Index = (Total score / 100) × 10, rounded to one decimal place.

Practical Example – Smartphone (2024)

• Spare parts: 17/20 (battery and screen available).
• Spare parts pricing: 14/20 (40% of product value, +6% penalty).
• Documentation: 18/20 (interactive manual).
• Disassembly: 28/40 (adhesives used on battery).
• Software: 7/10 (five years of patches).

Total = 84/100 → Repairability Index: 8.4/10

Regulatory Obligations

• France: mandatory labelling for laptops, smartphones, TVs, and household appliances since 2021.
• EU ESPR (Article 33): mandatory visibility at physical and online points of sale for priority products from 2026.
• Right to Repair Directive (R2R): strengthens access to spare parts and bans electronic locking techniques (serialisation).

Measurable Benefits

• Consumer savings: average €176 per year (European Commission Impact Assessment, 2023).
• WEEE reduction: −3.4 Mt CO₂e per year (EEA, 2024).
• Repair employment: +200,000 jobs projected by 2030 (Eurostat).

Improvement Strategies for Manufacturers

• Modular design: removable batteries, standard Torx/T5 screws.
• AR interactive manuals: step-by-step guides accessible via QR codes.
• Spare parts strategy: 10-year availability, pricing below 25% of RRP.
• Open firmware: bootloader release after warranty period.
• Service-based models: subscriptions to DIY repair kits.

Links with the Digital Product Passport (DPP)

• The DPP will store diagrams, spare part lists, and the repairability score.
• Differentiated APIs: read-only access for consumers; read/write repair history for workshops.
• Repair records increase residual value and circularity.

Case Study: Modular Corporate Laptop

Framework Laptop 16 (2025):
Repairability Index 9.8/10, independent components and open BIOS.

• Sales: +35% in two years.
• E-waste reduction: −250 tonnes.
• B2B contracts: leasing with module replacement, 22% CAPEX reduction for clients.

Challenges and Criticism

• Upfront cost: modular design +8% CAPEX; ROI in 24 months through spare parts.
• Inventory risk: slow-moving, low-demand spare parts.
• Intellectual property: cloning risks mitigated via Creative Commons licensing.
• SME burden: EU support programmes (DigitaliseSME) and repair hubs.

Trends 2025–2030

• Blockchain to authenticate genuine spare parts.
• Certified in-house 3D printing for plastic components.
• Repairability as a service: brands monetising kits and training.
• ESG reputation: scores ≥ 8 add +1 point in MSCI and Sustainalytics ratings.

The repairability index is reshaping the market towards durable products, supporting the European Green Deal and creating business opportunities within the repair economy. Proactive adoption delivers a competitive edge and aligns brands with consumer and regulatory expectations.