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We are committed to find solution to fight against planned obsolescence to tackle economic and environmental problems that affect each individual of the customer society

Our paper

The Planned Obsolescence : an important issue of society

The planned obsolescence is a concept used by companies and over all by companies which make electronic products. This concept is used for constraint consumers to buy new electronic goods. Indeed, companies put raw materials, which are unrepairable. From few years after the purchase, goods must be buying again because of this concept.

Planned obsolescence generates major issues for the society : economics and environmental problems.

Laws are established to solve this society issue. In 2005, the Hamon Law integrates new rules, which are included in the L111-3 article of the Consumer Code. This law is specific to the Spare Part’ obsolescence.

Thereby, what are the consequences of the Hamon law for manufacturers and consumers ?

Henceforth, the manufacturer should inform the seller of goods about its uptime of pieces, which are essential for a well functioning of the product. This seller should communicate information to the consumer during the product purchase. Those information will be visible and clearly explicated, also be written in the contract.

In addition, for repair, the manufacturers have to provide, within a period of two months, the needed pieces for the repairer.

In case of non-compliance with those rules, the manufacturer will have a fine until 3000 euros or 15000 for a corporation.

The 22 of July 2015, the planned obsolescence found his place in the Law of energy transition. Companies face up 300 000 euros fine (this amount could go until 5% of the annual turnover of the firm made in France) and 2 years of imprisonment. However, it is very hard to correctly determine this law. Indeed, how we can prove that the manufacturer planned this malfunction of the battery of our phone ? Functional faults (hardware fails), stopping update or supply of spare parts are, for the consumer, more and more difficult to detect.

Beyond economic issues, the planned obsolescence is a symbol waste, which has significant impacts on the environment. The natural resources are depleted and the obsolete wastes are not recycled. According to the “France Nature Environnement”, the law about the energy transition is an important message that receive the different actors : the manufacturers, the sellers, the consumers. Non-governmental organization, also consumer associations could rely on the law to push the eco conception and eco consummation.