The French government is preparing to launch a single national label for refurbished digital equipment. The news was shared last Monday by Véronique Louwagie, Delegate Minister for Commerce, Crafts, SMEs and the Social and Solidarity Economy. The announcement was made at the REuse Economy Expo in Paris, a key gathering for the reuse and refurbishment sector.
Industry body SIRRMIET welcomes move
Le SIRRMIET, a French industry association promoting refurbished electronics, has openly welcomed the plan. It considers the initiative a “major step” toward increasing confidence and guaranteeing quality in refurbished devices like Apple iPhones, tablets and laptops.
Label aims to strengthen consumer trust
The national label, currently under development by the Direction Générale des Entreprises, is expected to play a key role in improving transparency for consumers. Once implemented, it should offer a clearer distinction between professionally refurbished products and second-hand items, strengthening the position of quality refurbishers.
Refurbishment seen as sustainability driver
The label fits into France’s wider strategy to promote a more sustainable and circular economy. During the REuse Economy Expo, policy makers and stakeholders issued the “Paris Call” – ten proposals to scale up the reuse economy across Europe. These include the development of repairable product design, standardised parts and packaging, and stronger infrastructure for collection, storage and refurbishment.
Sector awaits label framework details
Though the exact criteria for the label are yet to be announced, expectations are high. A clear framework could create a competitive advantage for French refurbishers and open up new opportunities across the EU for certified, trustworthy reuse businesses. Let us hope that this is not only a French initiative but an European.
10 proposals to accelerate the Reuse Economy
- Foster a “reuse” culture and reflex among all stakeholders (private, public, citizens), particularly in corporate strategies and public policies.
- Promote the eco-design of products with reuse and repair in mind, notably by developing common guidelines or standards.
- Standardize products (packaging and spare parts) to optimize flows.
- Build and share reuse infrastructure among stakeholders: transport, storage, cleaning, repair.
- Organize access to, sorting of, and management of reusable product streams.
- Develop a secure European digital space for the interoperability of reuse data.
- Create quality “reuse” labels to ensure the reliability and safety of refurbished materials, products, and packaging.
- Provide training for reuse-related jobs: adapt existing skills and create new ones to support the sector’s development.
- Define sector-specific support mechanisms and tax incentives to boost the competitiveness of Reuse Economy models.
- Raise awareness of, enforce, and monitor existing European regulations related to reuse.
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