With the EU outlining a green agreement that seeks to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, scrutiny has turned to the useful life of gadgets that contribute to the flood of electronic waste produced annually on the continent. In an attempt to solve the waste problem, France voted last year to introduce a reparability index 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 by DIY) has started listing iPhone and MacBook repair scores on its online store in France.
As reported by The Verge, the classification covers the ease with which a device can be disassembled and the availability of repair manuals and replacement parts. The iPhone 12 star line received a repair score below the 6/10 average under the new index. Links to the full list of evaluated products can be viewed on Apple’s support page (in French). Other classifications of the company’s products vary in terms of release date and category. Last year’s iPhone 11s were rated between 4.5 and 4.6, while MacBook scores range from 5.6 to 7.
Beginning in January, manufacturers in France began displaying color-coded labels with the scores on their products in stores and online. The anti-waste law was designed to keep customers informed about the life of their electronics to encourage them to choose items of greater durability. 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 flaws: manufacturers provide their own scores and can easily earn points by offering simple information about software updates. For example, Samsung gave its Galaxy S21 Plus phone a better score than last year’s model, offering an online repair guide, reports the world.
According to an EC survey, citizens support the sustainability initiative, with 77 percent saying they would rather fix a device than replace it. In addition, 79 percent believe manufacturers should make their products easier to repair, providing easier access to individual parts. The EU, which already uses energy rating labels for home appliances, has also voted to promote reparability reforms in the latest sign that the so-called “right to fix” movement is gaining momentum.
Electronic waste is expected to grow to more than 52 million tons by the end of 2021. Smartphones, which may contain toxic metals like arsenic and organic chemicals, are some of the worst criminals. Many are not properly recycled, often ending up in landfills abroad in Africa and Asia.