Methods for the Assessment of the Reparability and Upgradability of Energy-related Products: Application to TVs

Abstract

Improving the material efficiency of products can be important to reduce their environmental impacts. In particular, an improvement of the reparability and upgradability of products can have the potential of bringing added value to the environment and to the economy by limiting the early replacement of products and thus saving resources. However, the design of products needs to be assisted by appropriate assessment methods. In this context, the Joint Research Centre Directorate B, Circular Economy & Industrial Leadership unit, has compiled a multi-level approach for assessing the reparability and upgradability of products. This report describes the application of such approach to TVs, with the aim of improving the knowledge about the assessment of the reparability and upgradability of ErP. The draft report is structured in the following chapters: 1. Product group definition and characterisation (including: scoping, legislation and testing methods of interest for repair and upgrade, relevant information on market, user behaviour and product) 2. Identification of critical aspects and priority parts for the product group and Level 1 assessment (development of a checklist of positive attributes influencing reparability and upgradability of the product group) 3. Annex: further methodological guidance notes about Level 2 (scoring of attributes influencing reparability and upgradability of the product group) and Level 3 assessment (discussion on quantitative parameters) 4. Additional questions. Two written consultations are planned, the first one taking place from 20 April until 14 May 2018. Please note that at this stage it has been possible to prepare only a draft and incomplete report. The goal of the first consultation is to revise and integrate the background information gathered so far and set the basis for the development of the other steps of the study. Depending on your interest in and familiarity with the subjects covered in the report, you may provide input either to all or some parts and questions of the report, by using the provided commenting form.