[ad_1]
With the EU outlining a green deal that aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, scrutiny has focused on the shelf life of gadgets that contribute to the barrage of electronic waste produced on the continent each year. In a bid to tackle the spam problem, France voted last year to introduce a repairability index for a variety of electronic devices, from washing machines to smartphones. Now that the law has taken effect, Apple (whose phones are notoriously difficult to repair by DIY means) has started listing iPhone and MacBook repairability scores on its online store in France.
As reported by The edge, the rating covers the ease with which an appliance can be disassembled and the availability of repair manuals and spare parts. The otherwise stellar iPhone 12 lineup received a repairability score of less than 6/10 under the new index. Links to the full list of rated products can be found on Apple’s support page (in French). Other ratings for the company’s products vary in terms of release date and category. Last year’s iPhone 11s are rated between 4.5 and 4.6, while the MacBook’s scores range from 5.6 to 7.
Starting in January, French manufacturers began displaying color-coded labels with the scores on their products in stores and online. The Anti-Waste Law is designed to keep shoppers up to date on the lifespan of their electronics to encourage them to choose more durable items. Fines for non-compliance set to be introduced next year.
Although the system is based on strict guidelines, Radio France Internationale Note that this is not without its 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 higher score than last year’s model by offering an online repair guide, reports The world.
According to an EC survey, citizens support the sustainability campaign, with 77% saying they would rather repair a device than replace it. Additionally, 79% believe manufacturers should make it easier to repair their products by providing easier access to individual parts. The EU, which already uses energy rating labels for household appliances, also voted to push through repairability reforms in the latest sign that the so-called ‘right to repair’ movement is creating. steam.
Electronic waste is expected to reach over 52 million tonnes by the end of 2021. Smartphones, which can contain toxic metals such as arsenic and organic chemicals, are among the worst offenders. Many are not recycled properly, often ending up in overseas landfills in Africa and Asia.
[ad_2]
Source link