Reparability Score under the Energy Labelling Regulation

🌱 What does the regulation entail?

The Energy Labelling Regulation aims to inform consumers on “energy efficiency using a range of labelling tools”. Through a draft supplement to the Energy Labelling Regulation from 16 June 2023, the European Commission now plans to mandate the display of reparability scores and energy efficiency on smartphones and tablets.

🌱 What does the proposed reparability score entail?

Under the proposed reparability score, “smartphones and tablets put on the EU market will have to display information on their energy efficiency, battery longevity, protection from dust and water, and resistance to accidental drops”. The score “will use the existing and well-known A-G scale EU energy labels” and the criteria are to include factors such as “disassembly depth, fasteners and tools to be used in the repair process”. The score labels for products must be displayed on or in close proximity at their sale, as well as on product information sheets, visual advertisements, and technical promotional materials.

🌱 What does the score not entail?

The rules do not require “environmental footprint information” to be displayed on the product label. Moreover, the reparability index does not include the prices or other considerations on spare parts. These are, however, included in the review provision of the draft supplement. The first review is currently set to occur 4 years after the new rules come into force.

🌱 What additional information will be made available to consumers?

Consumers will be able to use the EU-wide online database, called the “European Product Registry for Energy Labels” (EPREL), to find additional information on products. The registry will include the “values for the measured and calculated parameters” of products. It will also offer consumers “the possibility to identify which products have the best cost-efficiency ratio for a specific need”. With this in mind, aspects such as “possible water consumption, noise emission, extension of the warranty, availability of spare parts, [and] duration or product support” will be included in the registry.

🌱 What impact could the new rules have?

If the reparability score comes into force, it would be “the first time that a product placed on the EU market [would] be required to display a reparability score”. The aim is to “help EU consumers make more informed and sustainable purchasing choices” and to “encourage sustainable consumption”.

🌱 What happens next?

The draft supplement to the Energy Labelling Regulation has been submitted to the European Parliament and Council for a two-month scrutiny period. If there are no objections to the text, the rules will be formally adopted and then begin to apply 21 months later.

Read more about the Energy Labelling Regulation here:

- https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/energy-label-and-ecodesign/rules-and-requirements_en

- https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/energy-label-and-ecodesign_en

- https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/ecodesign-and-energy-labelling-working-plan-2022-2024_en#details

- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/1369/oj

- https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/standards-tools-and-labels/products-labelling-rules-and-requirements/energy-label-and-ecodesign/product-database_en

Read more about the proposed revisions here:

- https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3315

- https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/commission-delegated-regulation-eu-supplementing-regulation-eu-20171369-regard-energy-labelling_en

- https://www.circularonline.co.uk/news/ec-proposes-new-phone-and-tablet-rules-for-circular-economy/