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Tired of Tech That Breaks Too Soon? The EU Wants to Help

We all love our gadgets—but what happens when they break? Too often, it’s easier to toss and replace rather than repair. That’s not just expensive for your wallet—it’s bad news for the planet too.

To tackle this growing problem, the European Commission is rolling out a new label on selected electronic devices, starting with smartphones and tablets. It’s called the “repairability score”, and it tells you how easy—or hard—it is to fix a product when something goes wrong. Think of it as a health check for your electronics, rated from A (super easy to fix) to E (basically unfixable).

Behind the score is solid science. The Joint Research Centre (JRC), the EU’s science service, created a detailed method to test how repair-friendly your device actually is. They look at things like how easy it is to take apart, what tools you need, whether spare parts are available, and if manufacturers provide repair manuals.

Not Just Labels—A Greener Future

But this label is more than just a new sticker. It’s part of a bigger plan to make electronics more sustainable.

Right now, electronic production consumes massive amounts of raw materials and pumps out tons of carbon emissions. On top of that, devices often have short lifespans, ending up as e-waste after just a couple of years.

By encouraging products that are easier to fix, the EU hopes to break the cycle of constant replacement. According to the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2024, extending the lifespan of electronic devices could save consumers €20 billion by 2030—and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tonnes of CO₂ every year.

The logic is simple: the longer your phone or tablet lasts, the fewer resources are needed to replace it—and the less you spend.

The Rise of the Repair Economy

This shift isn’t just good for the environment. It could revive local repair industries that have been overlooked in the age of throwaway tech.

The EU believes the new labels could create new jobs in tech repair and boost regional economies. It’s also a way to make European manufacturers more competitive, not by making things cheaper and more disposable, but by building innovative, durable products that offer real long-term value.

And this is just the beginning. Under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the EU is looking to extend repairability requirements to other electronics and small household appliances, many of which are currently almost impossible to fix.

More Than Just Energy Ratings

You might already know energy labels from shopping for fridges or washing machines—they’ve helped buyers choose efficient appliances for years. But now, the label is evolving to reflect not just efficiency, but also durability and repairability.

The A-to-E scale isn’t about “good” versus “bad”—it’s about transparency. Products that are easier to repair might cost more upfront, but they’ll save you money and frustration in the long run. A device you can open, troubleshoot, and fix will likely last for years, unlike many “disposable” models.

These labels are designed to change how we think about electronics—shifting the focus from flashy design or low prices to quality, longevity, and sustainability.

Cleaner tech, smarter choices

This new repair score fits into the EU’s wider Clean Industry Initiative, which pushes for lower emissions, smarter resource use, and stronger economic independence.

What used to be a niche concern—repairable, sustainable electronics—is quickly becoming central to the EU’s industrial and consumer strategy.

For now, the repair score applies only to smartphones and tablets, but with everything from smartwatches to kitchen gadgets filling our homes, the system is likely to expand.

If successful, the label could force manufacturers to stop designing products that are meant to break. Instead, they’ll need to create tech that can stand the test of time.

This isn’t just a new sticker—it’s a signal that change is coming. A change where repair beats replace, where transparency trumps throwaway culture, and where you get to make smarter, greener choices.

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