Investigation of data and development of strategies against obsolescence

Transcription

1 European Economic and Social Committee: Round table on "Planned obsolescence" Investigation of data and development of strategies against obsolescence Dr. Ines Oehme Section III 1.3 / Ecodesign, Environmental Labelling, Environmentally Friendly Procurement

2 What is Obsolescence? Obsolescence causes that a product becomes obsolete or inoperative before the end of usual life time and thus becomes waste. It leads to a squandering of natural resources and increased waste generation. Types of Obsolescence Mechanical Obsolescence Functional Obsolescence Psychological Obsolescence (use time shorter then technical life time) could occur as planned or at least negligent obsolescence Beboy,Fotolia 2

3 How often does Obsolescence occur? There are many individual examples of defects before usual technical lifetime, e.g. Results of individual product lifetimetests, like Stiftung Warentest Reports in media and social media However so far there are insufficient systematic data available Project of the Environmental Research Plan of the Ministry of Environment: Influence of the lifetime of products on their environmental impact creation of an information base and development of strategies against "Obsolescence Consultant: Öko-Institut e.v. in Kooperation mit der Universität Bonn 3

4 Research Project: Focus is electrical and electronic equipment; the following product groups were selected: washing machines, dishwashers, clothes dryer, refrigerators and freezers, hand mixer; notebooks, PCs (including screens), printers, mobile phones, television Tasks Collection of statistical data and analysis of trends of the average service life Systematic presentation of the causes of obsolescence Implementation of case studies for three product groups in order to deepen the data collection and to identify measures to achieve the longest possible or reliable lifespan for these selected product groups; Comparative life cycle assessment and life cycle costs between each short-term and long-lasting product for the three product groups; Identification of cross-cutting strategies and instruments against obsolescence and to life and life extension. 4

5 Evolution of the average use-time of the first user in Germany ( / 2013) chart: Öko-Institute (2014) source: ZVEI (2013) for household equipment, based on GfK data source: Öko-Institute e.v. (2014) for ICT, based on GfK data Washingm. Dryer Dishw. Refrigr. Fridgefr. Freezer El. Oven HE total Notebook LCD-TV CRT-TV Sometimes very small number of cases for 2004 and 2008; Sufficiently meaningful for household equipment (HE) only the averaged data for HE total 5

6 Percentage of max. 5 year old large household electrical appliances on all replacement purchases due to defect* chart: Öko-Institute (2014) source: ZVEI (2013) based on GfK data Washingm. Dryer Dishw. Refrigr. Fridgefr. Freezer El. Oven HE total Sometimes very small number of cases for 2004 and 2008; Sufficiently meaningful only the averaged data for Household Equipment HE total, * The old device was broken 6

7 Percentage of max. 5 year old large electrical appliances on all replacement purchases because of desire for a better device * chart: Öko-Institute (2014) source: ZVEI (2013) based on GfK data Washingm. Dryer Dishw. Refrigr. Fridgefr. Freezer El. Oven HE total Sometimes very small number of cases for 2004 and 2008; Sufficiently meaningful only the averaged data for Household Equipment HE total, *Although the old one still worked, I / we wanted a better device 7

8 Share of the considered ICT devices to substitute purchases due to faults or due to a desire for a better device Percentage (%) defect Notebook LCD-TV CRT-TV we wanted a better device Percentage (%) Sometimes very small number of cases till 2009 Source: Öko-Institut e.v. (2014); based on GfK data Notebook LCD-TV CRT-TV 8

9 Instrument: Requirements in Ecolabels, e.g. Blue Angel EXAMPLE HAIR DRYER Hairdryer with the Blue Angel are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional equipment. To ensure a sufficient lifetime the Blue Angels prescribes a 400-hour endurance test. EXAMPLE VACUUM CLEANER Requirements for energy efficiency and dust uptake Motor life must be at least 600 hours. The device, as well as his most sensitive parts, the suction nozzle and the hose must withstand a minimum number of drop tests and bumps. OTHER REQUIREMENTS If applicable, minimum time of availability of spare parts after stop of the production of the model, depending of the product 5 or even up to 10 years. 9

10 Instrument: Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EG FIRST EXAMPLES Lamps: Requirements on lamp survival factor and the lumen maintenance Vacuum cleaner: Requirements for motor lifetime and durability of the hose (test have been available and already standardised) Laptop: Specification of the achievable minimum number of charging cycles of the battery; Indicate on the package, in technical documentation and website if battery can not be replaced by the consumer Aspect of the lifetime of the product will in future be considered more in the preparatory studies and standardisation. 10

11 Example: Choice of consumers Ink yet printer - ink sponge problem Printer stops working if ink sponge capacity is exhausted Cleaning or replacement of the waste ink sponge by consumers is hampered Use of a waste ink tank, which by poor accessibility, lack of guidance, is designed for a large number and unavailable replacement ink of printed pages and can sponges easily be exchanged. Exchange by manufacturer usually expensive compared to buying a new printer Source: 11

12 Thank you for your attention. Dr. Ines Oehme