trade: comment Repair or replace?
In our regular comment slot this month Sian Lewis, Association Executive at AMDEA, looks at the issue of repair or replace through the lens of the European Ecodesign Directive.
T
he European Ecodesign Directive is 10 years old. Which makes it the same age as most consumers expect
their large white goods to reach before they need to be repaired or replaced. In fact, large white goods often last much longer - depending, obviously, on how much use, and indeed care and attention they get. As long as repair continues to be practicable and cost-effective appliances can last for decades. Though improvements in the energy efficiency of appliances in recent years can make replacement the more sustainable option. Especially as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations require appliances at the end of their life to be taken to an authorised treatment facility. There they may be repaired or refurbished or their components and materials can be recovered for re-use or recycling.
As long as repair
continues to be practicable and cost-effective appliances can last for decades
Nonetheless the frequency with which
modern consumers replace their mobiles and other gadgets has led to a perception that all goods ought to last longer than they do. Growing public concern about the damage that we are doing to the planet and the very real danger that scarce resources may no longer be available to future generations means that policy-makers are considering ways and means to influence the longevity of products. Ecodesign legislation was brought in to complement Energy Labels, which provide information to allow consumers to compare the energy efficiency of different models for a particular product. Ecodesign Regulations set minimum criteria for the design of products and, while the early implementing acts did concentrate on energy use, the framework Directive contains provisions for limiting a range of environmental impacts.
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www.innovativeelectricalretailing.co.uk Appliances that are
correctly installed (and correctly used) give many years of reliable service
There are also provisions to make access
to repair information easier and more transparent. Two years after first placing a unit on the market the manufacturer must allow professional repairers access to specified repair and maintenance information. They will need to explain how repairers can register to access their product data, and list any requirements (such as proof of technical competence or level of insurance cover) and any fees that they charge to cover the costs of providing this service.
For instance, the Ecodesign Regulation for vacuum cleaners already imposes a minimum number of operational hours for motors and a durability test for hoses. And plans to set limits for aspects such as ease of dismantling and recycling are just waiting on the development of suitable measurement standards. Following publication of the new Energy Labelling Framework Regulation in 2017, a new suite of both Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations is now going through the European parliamentary process. These new Ecodesign Regulations will include requirements for manufacturers to hold certain spare parts for a minimum period of time after placing the last item of any model on the European market. Generally speaking, this will be seven years, but it can be longer for some components. Spare parts will have to be delivered within 15 working days. The list of the relevant spare parts for
refrigeration products is split into two groups. Those parts that affect safety should only be made available to “professional repairers”. Non-safety-related parts can be supplied to end-users as well. For other products there is only one list, but consumers must be advised where DIY repairs could affect the safety of the product and/or the validity of the guarantee.
Appliances that are correctly installed (and
correctly used) give many years of reliable service. As well as the manufacturer’s commercial guarantee there are options for the consumer to buy added peace of mind via extended warranties and other insurance packages. But in a global market operating to a “just in time” model it is clear that the longer-term availability of spare parts has become a challenge. Particularly in an era of evolving technology that can render designs obsolete very rapidly, making the long-term storage of parts a looming white elephant.
If we are serious about
wanting products to be kept working for longer, we need to encourage more young people to see repair and servicing as a worthwhile career
For older appliances replacement may even be a more attractive choice. The cost of repairs is more than just the engineer’s hourly rate: many towns have prohibitive parking restrictions, making it easier, and cheaper, to park a delivery lorry than a maintenance van. Other proposals to use consumer rights
legislation to impose lifespans on products would not necessarily make products last longer. They really just envisage giving consumers a right to a refund if a product cannot be repaired or spare parts are no longer unavailable. Such an approach would also conflict with the aims of Ecodesign, which is more about improving the longevity of individual components and recovering materials for reuse. However, the key element that is often
overlooked in this debate is the growing shortage of suitably skilled “professional repairers”. With many of our existing engineers nearing retirement we need to attract new people into the industry. There are qualifications available, which can be taken as part of an apprenticeship, and colleges around the country can offer courses. But if we are serious about wanting products to be kept working for longer, we need to encourage more young people to see repair and servicing as a worthwhile career.
May / June 2019
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