India forms committee to establish repairability index for electronics
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has established a committee tasked with developing a comprehensive framework for a repairability index in India. This initiative aims to enhance consumer transparency and encourage sustainable practices in the technology sector. The committee is led by Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary at DoCA, and includes senior officials from various ministries, Indian Cellular Electronics Association as well as representatives from tech giants such as Samsung, Google India, and HMD Mobiles India among others.
Repairability index to guide consumer decisions
The repairability index is designed to assist consumers in making informed product-related decisions based on a product's repairability. The government believes that this initiative will standardize the evaluation of repairability, simplifying product comparisons for consumers. "Repairability index will enable consumers to take a product-related decision, based on its repairability," stated the government in an official release.
Index to bridge information gaps, ensure affordable repairs
The repairability index is expected to promote mindful consumption and sustainability by providing consumers with affordable repair options and bridging information gaps about product repairs. This initiative comes as India's electronic product usage is projected to surge significantly due to its ambition of becoming the world's third-largest economy. The government hopes that a repairability index could help manage the massive amounts of e-waste that this increase in usage would generate.
How the index will work
The repairability index will likely be a score or rating system displayed on product packaging or listings. It will evaluate products based on factors such as availability of repair guides, ease of disassembly to access key components, and availability and affordability of spare parts. Electronic waste is a growing concern globally, with many devices ending up in landfills due to difficulty in repair. A repairability index can encourage manufacturers to design products that are easier to repair, extending their lifespan.
