Circular Economy
Repairability
Definition
Repairability is the degree to which a product can be restored to working order after failure, determined by design features (modularity, fasteners, accessibility), availability and price of spare parts, access to repair information and tools, and the economics of repair versus replacement. France's repairability index, mandatory since 2021 for several product categories, scores products on these criteria at point of sale; the EU's right-to-repair directive extends repair obligations across the bloc.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Repairability” is defined and used.
Source imported for editorial provenance.
Overview
How it is used
The concept anchors right-to-repair legislation, ecodesign requirements, the French indice de réparabilité and its extension toward a durability index, and the repair economy of independent shops, refurbishment and repair cafés.
Why it matters
Repairability is the operational test of circular product policy: what can be fixed stays in use, and what cannot becomes waste on schedule.