Designing products with a specific lifespan is a common practice among manufacturers, but planned obsolescence is often misunderstood —where products are deliberately designed to fail or become outdated after a certain time. The reality, however, is likely more nuanced. Companies typically design products to meet a particular life requirement based on performance, cost, and market demands. While this approach offers several advantages, it also presents challenges for consumers and broader societal issues.

As major economies like the EU and USA legislate for a Circular Economy and Right to Repair initiatives, countries that lag behind risk becoming “trash societies”—destinations for low-standard, un-recyclable products no longer compliant with stricter regulations. This article delves into the potential impact of slow legislative action, exploring the risks, strategic steps, and benefits of proactive policies. For insights on the consumer impacts of Right to Repair, see our recent article on consumer perspectives:

The Right to Repair movement has seen significant legislative advancements in 2024, particularly in the U.S. and the EU. These developments aim to empower consumers, reduce electronic waste, and promote sustainable product life-cycles. This update provides a comprehensive overview of key changes and challenges in the first half of 2024, with a focus on how these new laws are shaping the future of consumer electronics and hardware product development.

Questions commonly asked within Hardware industries

Explore how 'Right to Repair' legislation is reshaping consumer rights and sustainability in tech.

The EU Right to Repair legislation is a significant step towards promoting sustainability and consumer rights. It aims to ensure that consumers can repair and maintain their products, reducing electronic waste and fostering a circular economy. This blog post explores the likely implementation timings of this legislation and its impact on manufacturers and consumers.

As we progress through 2024, the Right to Repair movement has continued to see significant developments across the United States and beyond, highlighting a growing trend towards sustainability and consumer rights in the technology and appliance sectors.