Product Reparability Scoring System: Specific application to Smartphones and Slate Tablets

This JRC Science-for-Policy report describes the methodology for a reparability scoring system for smartphones and slate tablets, with the objective of supporting the Commission proposal for an EU ecodesign and an energy labelling regulation, including the aforementioned information provision. The methodology was built upon the 2019 JRC general method for the assessment of reparability of energy-related products, which was in turn based on the European standard EN45554:2020 for the assessment of the ability to repair, reuse and upgrade energy-related products. On the basis of the general method, this product-specific application also consists of three main pillars: I) the definition of priority parts for smartphones and slate tablets; II) the selection of key design-related and service-related parameters that determine reparability; III) the establishment of a scoring framework. The aforementioned steps were followed in full alignment with the draft minimum requirements for reparability proposed by the Commission as part of an ecodesign implementing measure. The method is complemented by a calibration and validation exercise, with the purpose of verifying its robustness and reproducibility. The presentation of the method concludes with a proposal for a future-proof reparability classification system, designed to serve the aforementioned regulatory needs and a potential incorporation in an energy label for the products in question.