A new study by CE Delft, commissioned by Natuur&Milieu, highlights the untapped economic and environmental potential of extending the lifespan of electronic devices in the Netherlands. The April 2025 report, titled ‘Levensduurverlenging loont’ (Extending product life pays off), proposes a comprehensive policy package aimed at overcoming current market, technical and social barriers to refurbishment and repair. CE Delft is a Dutch independent research institute specializing in environmental policy, sustainability, and circular economy, providing evidence-based advice to governments, NGOs, and businesses since 1978.
Current efforts fall short
Although Dutch consumers are largely open to repairing or refurbishing their devices, only 1% of the economy is currently circular in this domain. In contrast, repair contributes about €20 billion in added value. The report points to high repair costs, lack of access to parts, and a societal preference for new devices as key obstacles. Existing circular policies mostly focus on recycling, missing the greater impact of reuse.
Six targeted policy measures proposed
To address these barriers, CE Delft suggests six measures: mandatory retail quotas for refurbished goods, a reduced VAT of 9% on repaired products, repair vouchers, reuse targets in producer responsibility schemes, price caps on spare parts, and the introduction of a repairability index.
Apple iPhone as key example
Using Apple iPhones as a case study, the study shows that the measures could enable 800,000 additional phones to be repaired or refurbished annually by 2030. This would add € 35 million in economic value and create 400 to 550 full-time jobs. Each refurbished iPhone adds around €150 in value, while a repair adds €100. The total effect across other devices like laptops and tablets could reach €90 million and up to 1,500 jobs.
Environmental benefits extend beyond borders
By promoting reuse, the Netherlands could cut 2 megaton of CO₂ emissions by 2030. While individual repairs save 70 kiloton, the bulk of reductions stem from increased second-hand sales. Since most electronics are manufactured abroad, much of the climate impact reduction would occur outside the Netherlands.
Cost savings and strategic autonomy
The policy package could also help households save €50 annually by extending device lifespans. Moreover, increased reuse would reduce reliance on critical raw materials such as lithium and copper, supporting EU strategic autonomy in the face of growing e-waste volumes.
Conclusion urges full implementation
The report concludes that implementing all six measures in tandem will deliver the highest impact. It recommends using the EU Ecodesign regulation as a legal backbone for national enforcement. Combining economic growth, lower emissions and consumer savings, the proposed approach offers a rare win-win-win scenario for policy, business and the environment.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
