On December 15, the government launched this initiative to benefit from a subsidy for the repair of an electrical or electronic device. These bonuses ranged from 10 to 45 euros per repaired device. Since then, there have been mixed results since only 20,000 repairs have benefited from this bonus. The government has since decided to give new impetus to this repair bonus.
This aid encourages consumers to repair their devices rather than replace them. The measure was designed to reduce electronic waste and promote a circular economy by extending the life of products, in line with the anti-waste law (AGEC). If the consumer uses an authorized repairer, he will be granted financial assistance.
When taking the initiative for this aid, the Ministry of Ecological Transition noted that 53% of French people considered that a repair was more expensive than buying a new device. Two months after the launch, authorized repairers had observed an increase in repair requests, as indicated by Le Parisien. A 40% increase in requests demonstrates that this measure has convinced some consumers to give their devices a second life, as Laurent Falconieri, Managing Director of La Compagnie du SAV, pointed out: “The revival continues to be confirmed. The numbers are increasing every week.”
For this aid, the government had bet no less than 62 billion euros over the period 2022-2023. Despite everything, only 500,000 euros have been spent in just over four months. “These 62 million euros are not intended to sleep in a bank account, they are intended for the French, it is an ecological measure, but also for purchasing power. I will be forced to take measures so that it deploys more quickly”, as explained by the Secretary of State for Ecology, Bérangère Couillard.
Following this finding below the expected figures, the government decided to give new impetus to this long-term project. From July 1, the strengthening of the system will encourage eco-organizations to double the bonus. For example, small devices will go from 10 to 20 euros, computers themselves, to 90 euros while mobile phones will be supported by the State up to 50 euros, against 25 previously. In addition, you will also be able to change the screen of your phone.
From 2024, new household appliances will be eligible for this aid. Ovens, stationary computers, food processors and even air conditioners are part of the panel of objects to be included in the aid for 2024 and 2025.
Among the brands already involved in the system are Boulanger and Leclerc, which were the first to join the movement and subsequently labeled. However, some brands are reluctant to join the movement, like Fnac-Darty and Apple. The latter already have various repair programs, and are therefore put in competition by QualiRépar. The Fnac-Darty group would like an overhaul of the program: “To integrate our responsible customers who have subscribed to our Darty Max subscription or to an extended warranty, we have requested a revision of the scope of the repair fund”.
To make a new point about the deployment of the device, Christophe Béchu, the Minister for the Ecological Transition, will receive the actors of the sector in mid-June. The Ecology Secretariat adds that, if the brands do not “play the game” in the coming weeks, a decree will oblige them to do so from July 1, 2023.
If you wish to benefit from this assistance, the ecosystem site provides a list of QualiRépar-certified professionals, available according to your place of residence, as indicated by Femme Actuelle.
