We tell you more about the new sustainability index of washing machine!
At the very end of 2020, the GIFAM (Interprofessional Grouping of Manufacturers of Household Apparatus) announced that five families of household goods that are laptops, smartphones, lawn mower andhe washing machine would have to display a repairability note. Based on five criteria, divided into a multitude of control points (which can be found on the site Legifrance.gouv.fr), the repairability index took the form of one in 10 note with a comma for more precision: a color code allowed the buyer to visualize in the blink of an eye if his future well could be easily repaired, or not. Optional in 2021 until manufacturers have been putting themselves on page and compulsory since January 1, 2022 under penalty of sanctions, the repairability note will have held a little more than 3 years before being replaced by the sustainability index.
Two blocks for more information
Displayed on many productsthis new index entered into force on April 8, 2025 and it is nothing less than the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression) which is responsible for ensuring its good application. Instead of being content to note only the ease of repair, the sustainability index also provides the buyer on the reliability of his potential acquisition, which seems much more relevant. This is why the sustainability index takes into account repairability, but also the good hold in the time of the devices to avoid buying a product that would break down too quickly.
The repairability block does not change what we have known since 2021, since the same criteria are taken into account to assess this aspect. As a reminder, this note is based on the availability of technical documentation (for repairers), on the ease of disassembly, on the duration of the availability of spare parts and their delivery times, and finally on the price of these spare parts. Obviously, these large subnots are divided into a multitude of control points which bring or remove points.
Reliability is measured by resistance to constraints and wear, ease of maintenance and maintenance of the product and finally the existence of a commercial guarantee (according to our GIFAM interlocutor ,: “The commercial guarantee is offered by the manufacturer. To obtain the points, this warranty must be free of charge and must promote the repair of goods to the nine replacement of the products concerned“). Added to it the notation of a quality process.
This last point implies, still according to the GIFAM, *The implementation within the company of a process of continuous improvement documented and demonstrable to increase the sustainability of each product model put on the market, through monitoring and improvement of products. To obtain the points, the manufacturer must be able to demonstrate:
*That failures are identified and followed by the technical services of the manufacturers or its subsidiaries –
That these failures are the subject of reported reports according to structured processes and systematically rose to the central services (Technique / Quality / R&D).
That these reports are supported and processed by R&D services with concrete modifications made to products in order to constantly improve them to increase its reliability and sustainability.
That these modifications made are then traced and their impacts measured statistically to attest to the effectiveness of the improvements made.
There are many other control points and, for the curious, the legifrance.gouv.fr site once again gives the list of the'integrality of the elements taken into account for the calculation of repairability and reliability notes.
Fortunately, the buyer will not have to analyze the results himself and, as was the case for the repairability note, the durability index will take the form of a note, always on 10, always with a comma and always accompanied by the famous color code that everyone knows at the fingertips. It should be noted that the repairability block and the fiablite block have the same coefffcient for the calculation of the sustainability note.
However, the display has changed a little and, instead of a key and a gear, the legislators have chosen an hourglass icon in a cartridge with the right note and the reliability and reparability words just below.
Limit its ecological impact; A French passion?
As we can see, aesthetically, the new durability index is not very different from the repairability note, probably not to lose the buyer in a kyrielle of new labels. But, if we go into detail, we realize that consumer information is much more complete and that it does not only concern the end of life of the device, but all its existence, from installation to the first repairs.
Moreover, if we are to believe an Opinion Way survey carried out on behalf of the manufacturer Haier, the French love that the manufacturers inform them about the ecological impact of their equipment. According to an Opinion Way survey commissioned by the manufacturer Haier, they are 51% to consult the energy label before purchase and 27% to take into account the old repairability index; 17% among 18-24 year olds, 38% for seniors, much more affected by the purchase of a washing machine, it is true.
Obviously, polls are sometimes mistaken, but we can hope that the sustainability index will be acclaimed by our compatriots, since they are 93% to think that manufacturers should give information to extend the lifespan of the devices and 61% would appreciate that a mobile application helps them in this process.
Repair also has the wind in its sails and, according to Opinion Way, 53% of respondents tried to put a household appliances on a foot before embarking on the purchase process of its replacement. Finally, 56% of French people would recycle their old household appliances.
