When it comes to product repairs, most consumers have very few or no options in regards to repairing the products they own. Numerous companies, in recent years, have begun implementing hardware and software locks on products which makes repairs very difficult. Furthermore, withholding crucial information and parts from customers and repair shops alike contributing to the overall problem of limited repairability. Even if the product is repairable, in many cases, repair is only available directly through the company, effectively creating a monopoly on repair of that product. For example, when it comes to certain Apple products, the cost of a repair often times comes very close to the cost of replacing that device all together. With a lack of alternative options, consumers typically opt for a new device. These products usually have "Planned Obsolescence" which essentially means they have a calculated, limited lifespan before becoming obsolete. This not only comes at a large expense to the users, but also to the environment. According to the UN, over 44 million metric tons of e-waste was created world wide in 2017 and is projected to reach 120 million tonnes per year by 2050. With a more circular economy, we could reduce the amount of e-waste that ends up in landfills and at the same time, reduce the amount of raw materials being mined and manufactured by reducing demand for brand new products. This would be made possible by companies making necessary information about products such as circuit diagrams, repair instructions, and of course, parts available to independent repair shops and consumers.

There are already several Right to Repair movements across the US pushing for government legislation to take away control from companies to give more options to consumers such as the Digital Fair Repair Act. However, what we want to see is a repairability index in the US. Taking direct inspiration from the system France has put in place in 2021, the repairability index would be a score from 1 to 10 to rate the repairability of certain products based on 5 factors; technical documentation for repairs, ease of disassembly, spare parts and their availability, prices of spare parts, and a final miscellaneous category based on the specific product. While doing so might take years to fully implement, it would be a leap in the right direction and can be further developed in the future, for example, by requiring companies to attain a minimum score for their products on the index or also adding expanding it with a durability rating system. The products score could sway consumers towards offerings and brands that are more sustainable and ecofriendly. The repairability score would give us an idea of whether that product would last 1-2 years or upwards of a decade.  This could also have the after effect of causing competing brands to deliberately design products to bring up their scores in order to keep up with other companies. In the fight against climate change, creating a more circular economy will have a substantial impact on the devastating amount of e-wast produced annually. A repairability index would help foster such an economy while also allowing for more informed and conscious consumers and manufacturing with a greater focus on repairability. Help bring this dream to reality and sign today.