Right to Repair, Repair Fund & Other Developments
In the Netherlands and Europe, several measures have been introduced in recent years to promote repair. These include the right to repair from the European Union and the repair fund in France. In the Netherlands, a repair registry is being developed where consumers can see where a product can be repaired nearby.

Mugge sees this as positive development: “By introducing these measures, repair becomes top of mind again. The vouchers in France also make repair financially attractive for consumers.” The measures not only impact consumers: “A repair label, like in France and Belgium, also encourages producers to focus on repair. Take the energy label: brands competed to achieve the highest energy label. As a result, we went from A to A+ and A++. A repair label can have a similar impact.”

Oskam also finds these developments positive: “It’s crucial that requirements are set for the repairability of products and the availability of spare parts. It can be stricter, but in the current situation, every step is a good step.”

What is Needed from Policy makers, Practice, and Consumers?
The role of government, businesses, and consumers in promoting repair is interconnected, according to Mugge: “Businesses encourage consumers, and they, in turn, are encouraged by policy. We need to create an environment where consumers are motivated to repair and are encouraged to perform repairs and maintenance themselves.”

Oskam also sees collaboration as essential to scaling up repair: “We need to create a new type of repair sector. Companies, platforms, or repairers must fill the repair gap. There’s a role for the government, businesses, and educational institutions: we must relearn how to repair.”

However, Oskam and Mugge see opportunities for all three groups in different areas. Here’s a breakdown:

Government: Policy, Awareness, and Pricing
Mugge and Oskam see a significant role for the government. First, financially. “VAT on labor is high. You can place repair under the lower VAT rate to make it cheaper,” says Oskam. Mugge agrees: “For example, bicycle repair is considered essential, so VAT on bicycle repairs is reduced. If this were the case for smartphones, it would make repair more financially attractive.”

There’s also a role for the government in guiding product design that encourages consumers to repair their products. Mugge explains: “Research (Van den Berge, Magnier & Mugge, 2023) shows that consumers are more likely to repair a product when they can diagnose the issue, for instance, through an error message. This could be built into the design through features like sensors.”

Oskam sees opportunities in legislation that forces companies to make spare parts available to repairers: “Currently, there are no rules in the Netherlands for this, but such legislation would make repairs more accessible for consumers, allowing them to go to independent repairers instead of only the producer.” Mugge suggests another measure: “Maybe the EU should set requirements for product lifespans, for example, with a label. The lifespan could then become an important factor in consumers’ purchasing decisions. Currently, there are few strict criteria, but it’s certainly possible.”

A frequent issue is the time required for repairs. Mugge: “A flaw in current legislation is that you don’t get your product back in a reasonable timeframe after repair. But what is a reasonable timeframe? Is two weeks acceptable if you’re a coffee enthusiast who can’t go two weeks without coffee?”

It’s also crucial to make repair more socially accepted. The government has a significant role here. Mugge: “People are sensitive to social norms. Right now, the norm is: throw the product away and buy something new. That norm needs to shift to repair.” But making repair more acceptable involves more than just changing the norm: “Repair must also be made easier, for example, through error messages. Additionally, the number of repairers needs to increase: more repairers makes repair easier and more accessible for consumers.”

Businesses: Design and Collaboration
The government can take various steps to promote repair, but what about businesses? “Companies must offer repair services that are accessible, affordable, and effective,” says Oskam. First, through product design: “Some products can be dropped off or shipped for repair, but for others, a repairer has to come to you, which complicates the process. There is an important responsibility here for both the companies and the sector.”

Product design plays a key role: “Producers must ensure that their products are repairable. Good examples are FairPhone and Repeat Audio, makers of modular products that are easy to repair and therefore last a long time. But most products aren’t designed that way.”

Both Mugge and Oskam emphasize the importance of collaboration in the supply chain to scale up repair services. However, a broader perspective is needed, according to Mugge: “We need to better assess whether products can still have a second life before being recycled, for example, by extra selection at the recycling center. This requires collaboration across the entire chain.”

“Additionally, companies can look at what consumers can do for repairs themselves. Repairers are expensive, but simple repairs might be performed by consumers with support through interfaces or apps,” adds Mugge.

Moreover, smart product design can help with proper maintenance, reducing the need for repairs. Mugge: “I find it surprising how few products have built-in maintenance features. There are interfaces that encourage maintenance, such as an oven that sends a signal to clean it half an hour after use.”

Consumers: Behavioral Change Through Motivation
Businesses and the government can encourage consumers to have a product repaired instead of replaced. On one hand, this can be achieved by making repair financially attractive through VAT reduction or repair vouchers. On the other hand, product design can contribute to early maintenance and indicate when repairs are needed.

Furthermore, scaling up repair requires consumer awareness and behavioral change, says Mugge. “The current trend is that the consumer is at fault, but they are part of a system that doesn’t encourage repair. So we need to change something to get the consumer on board, and two things are important: people need to be motivated, and they also need to be able to repair.”

In short, there’s still a lot of work to be done in the coming years to make repair more prominent in Europe. If you want to contribute to scaling up the repair economy, learn more about the various programs working to promote repair, or have other ideas that need scientific input, get in touch with us!