Design for Reparability to Support Reuse and Waste Reduction

Note: The designation number for this NOI (originally published on November 23, 2021) was updated by the responsible SDO on November 22, 2022.

Note: As requested by the responsible SDO, this NOI being reissued as the standard was in the initial stages of development for more than 12 months an additional comment period of November 29 to December 20, 2022 (originally published on November 23, 2021). 

This standard will support broader market adoption through improved transparency, consumer protections and competitive fairness.

This standard will support broader market adoption through improved transparency, consumer protections and competitive fairness for Canadians. In 2021, the EU has put into effect the first right-to-repair laws, which will legally ensure that electric and electronic goods can be repaired for up to 10 years. In the United States, President Joe Biden recently issued an executive order to create new rules to prevent companies from creating barriers for consumers to fix their own products. The US Federal Trade Commission issued a policy statement on their efforts to combat unlawful repair restrictions and 25 states are considering right-to-repair legislation this year. In Australia, a bill was passed to promote competition in the Australian automotive servicing sector by requiring motor vehicle service and repair information to be made available for purchase by Australian repairers at a fair market price.

Designing for, and making repairability options easily accessible to facilitate product life extension and reuse, is a pivotal aspect of advancing circular economies. This approach is far superior to recycling when it comes to high-value, and resource-intensive products, as it keeps materials in play longer, increasing overall value. Repair is also preferable to remanufacturing as it avoids additional production and distribution impacts. Repair and reuse also responds to social equity objectives, making high functioning, useful products available at lower costs. Repair and refurbishing services provide an important new strategy to support skilled work and training opportunities focused on local, place-based circular economic solutions.

This standard will support specific sectors that will rely heavily on comprehensive, innovative right to repair standards in order to achieve circular outcomes for their products or services.