Repairability Index

What is the repairability index?

The repairability index is a standardised metric, expressed on a scale from 0 to 10, that tells consumers how easily a product can be repaired. It was pioneered in France, where the indice de reparabilite has been mandatory for several categories of electrical and electronic equipment since January 2021. Its aim is to empower consumers, encourage ecodesign and reduce waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

A higher score signals a product that is easier to repair, helping buyers compare models and nudging manufacturers to design for repair. The index originally applied in France to five categories: smartphones, laptops, televisions, front-loading washing machines and lawnmowers.

How the score is built

Under the French methodology, the score combines several criteria, each weighted and then converted to a mark out of ten. The main families of criteria are:

• Documentation: availability of repair and maintenance information for repairers and consumers.
• Ease of disassembly: number of steps, tools required and the type of fasteners used (reversible fixings score better than permanent adhesives).
• Availability of spare parts: how long key parts remain available on the market.
• Price of spare parts: the cost of parts relative to the price of the product.
• Product-specific criteria: additional factors that depend on the category, such as software and update support for connected devices.

The weighted total is expressed as a single figure out of ten that appears next to the product at the point of sale, online and in store.

From repairability to durability in France

France is now extending the approach. A durability index (indice de durabilite), introduced by Decree 2024-316 of 5 April 2024, gradually replaces the repairability index for certain products. It applies to televisions since January 2025 and to front-loading washing machines since April 2025, and is expected to cover further categories over time. The durability index keeps repairability criteria but adds reliability (resistance to wear and stress) and aspects such as the commercial guarantee, giving a fuller picture of how long a product is likely to last.

The repairability index and EU rules

At EU level, the framework is set by the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, which entered into force in July 2024 and allows the Commission to set repairability and reliability requirements for specific product groups through delegated acts. Horizontal repairability requirements are among the priorities in the first ESPR working plan, with consumer electronics and small household appliances expected to be addressed from around 2027.

This is complemented by the Right to Repair Directive, which strengthens consumers' access to repair and spare parts, and by work towards a common European repairability and durability scoring for products such as smartphones. Together these instruments push the market towards more durable, repairable goods.

Benefits of a repairability score

• For consumers: clearer information at the point of sale and longer-lasting products, with potential savings from repairing rather than replacing.
• For the environment: longer product lifetimes reduce waste and the emissions embedded in manufacturing new devices.
• For the repair economy: more demand for spare parts, repair services and skills.

How manufacturers can improve their score

• Design for disassembly: use standard screws and reversible fixings instead of permanent adhesives, and favour modular components such as removable batteries.
• Guarantee spare parts: keep critical parts available for longer and at a reasonable price relative to the product.
• Publish clear documentation: make repair guides and diagrams freely accessible.
• Support software longevity: provide security and operating-system updates for connected devices over an extended period.

Link with the Digital Product Passport

The repairability or durability score is one of the data points that the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is expected to carry, alongside spare-part information and repair history. Storing this data digitally can increase a product's residual value and support circularity by making repair easier throughout its life.

The repairability index, and its evolution towards durability scoring, is reshaping markets towards more durable products and supporting the goals of the European Green Deal. At Manglai we help companies measure their carbon footprint and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.