Maintworld Magazine 4/2021

EDITORIAL
To Repair or
not to Repair...
WITHOUT any doubt you have already tried to
repair a household appliance and/or an electronic
device. And let me guess, it proved not
to be an easy task. Sometimes spare parts and
technical information are not available. Or you
simply do not succeed to open up the appliance
without causing damage. Throwing it away and
replacing it is then the only solution.
UNACCEPTABLE
In current times of climate change and environmental awareness, people no
longer accept that things cannot be repaired. Many voices call for a shift from a
throw-away society to a more sustainable model. The possibility to repair things
that break plays a major role in this shift. Legislators around the world seem to
have understood the importance of repair.
THE RIGHT TO REPAIR
In July 2021 new legislation has come into force in the UK requiring manufacturers
of white goods and TVs to make repair information and spare parts available
for ten years. In the US, Congressman Joe Morelle introduced a bill in June that
goes even further. In the ‘Fair Repair Act’, both consumers and businesses are given
the fundamental right to carry out repairs on their own equipment. Equipment
manufacturers will be obliged to make available all diagnostic and repair information,
parts, and tools in a timely manner, and on fair and reasonable terms.
In Europe, manufacturers already have to comply with ecodesign directives,
and are obliged to provide spare parts for 10 years. The European Parliament is
also currently considering the introduction of a mandatory repair score. Italy and
France will soon be introducing legislation banning the artificial ageing of consumer
products to extend product lifetime.
REPAIRABILITY BECOMES VISIBLE
France was already pioneering by introducing the ‘repairability index’ for consumer
electronics at the beginning of this year. The easier products are to disassemble,
and the more readily available spare parts and technical information are,
the higher the repair score. Also, the price of the spare parts is considered, next
to some other product-specific criteria, for instance, the number of disassembly
steps. Researchers are currently investigating the impact of the repairability index
both on consumer behaviour, and on product design allowing better repairability.
GAME CHANGER
One thing is clear, the maintenance and asset management community should
embrace the current uprise in awareness of the importance of repair. We will not
only benefit from legislation that is also applicable on industrial assets, but having
consumers thinking about repair might inspire young people to also take up a job
in maintenance in repair. Let’s surf the waves of the right to repair movement!
Wim Vancauwenberghe
Maintenance Evangelist
Member of EFNMS ESHEC (European Health Safety and Environment Committee)
4 maintworld 4/2021
6
The
SPS trade show aims
at “bringing automation to
life” and “covers the entire
spectrum of smart and digital
automation” technology topics.