National Repair Day: A circular economy facing its own growth challenges.

Will 2025 be the year of the overhaul? Listening to the speakers at the launch of National Repair Days, it’s hard to imagine a future where sustainability and repairability don’t take center stage in our daily lives. However, as it shapes itself and develops, the industry finds itself confronted with new political and economic issues.

Since its timid beginnings in 2021, the repair bonus has grown through communication campaigns run by the state and various associations in the sector. In 2023, only 4 percent of funds earmarked for repair bonuses were used, compared toAbout 30 percent in 2024“, explains Helen Mickiewicz, Coordinator of the Committee of Experts at Hop. A good progress, even more remarkable in the field of electrical and electronic goods, which addressed 500,000 repairs in the first 9 months of 2024. However, structural problems are still intact.

Repairs in search of profit

At the heart of the problems facing the repair sector is the issue of the economic model. “Repairers can’t make a living from their jobs, they can’t make money, or they even lose money.“, explains Regis Koenig, director of repair and durability at Fnac/Darty. And this observation does not only affect manufacturers or resellers of electrical and electronic equipment. Séverine Bourlier, general secretary of the French Federation of Cordonnerie Multiservices, points out this fact. do that”The cost of repair does not always compensate for the costs involved in the associated industrial process.“In other words, repairs are expensive, even for textile artisans, who are affected by the bonus from the end of 2023.

If a repair subscription offering such as Darty Max or Boulanger Infinity made it possibleBuild a profitable business model around the repair industry“, welcomes Regis Koenig, this principle cannot apply to all small local artisans. To these questions, Guillaume Balas, General Delegate of the Envie Federation, develops a critique that is more political than economic, explaining that “There is a mismatch between what we want to do on the circular economy on the one hand and our global economic model on the other.“

As the price of phones comes down thanks to industrial process optimization, the cost of repairs comes down. The repair process is intrinsically more complex and less automated than actually making a telephone. “The bonus will be neutralized within a few years as the prices of new products continue to fall.Even Society and Consumption Observatory co-founder Philip Mott predicted.

Currently the repair works are as follows”Subsidy“Through other related activities, such as the sale of reconditioned products.Cannibalization“As recycling activities mechanically complicate their development, in response to this situation, a large number of players are converging around the idea of ​​VAT”Circular economy“Reimbursed by VAT, at a reduced rate”The mirror“On disposable products, which will see its rate rise accordingly.

A profession “doesn’t have enough social value”

Money does not solve all that was said. As the Minister of Environmental Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, admits, the sector’s growth is limited by the simple fact that “We have a shortage of repairmen.As a CLCV report already highlighted in early 2024, the regional network of repairers offering bonuses still suffers from significant holes in the racket. One concern is primarily due to concerns over training issues.

“If we increase demand without repairers behind it, we will find ourselves in the water with our beaks.“, Regis Koenig poses,”We need to work on demand (through communication), but also on supply (through training).“, the manager continues.The profession of repairman is socially and economically devalued“, continues Regis Koenig. An observation was shared by Envie Federation General Delegate, Guillaume Balas, indicating that “Manual professions have been maligned for years.“Instead of doing it”Everyday Heroes of Environmental Transition“

“National training on the subject was discontinued in the 2010s.“, regrets Guillaume Balas. And if private organizations have taken over the reuse and repair sector”.Private training alone cannot be commoditized“, continues the General Delegate. An issue in which the Agency for Environmental Transition (Ademe) is beginning to take an interest.

France, a very wise “pioneer”

Finally, manufacturers, associations as well as industry observers agree that communication around repair bonuses is insufficient. Today, organized by no less than 4 environmental organizations depending on the sector concerned (electronics, textiles or home), the awareness campaign proceeds in a fragmented manner without succeeding in convincing the general public.

“Each environmental organization must reach into its own pocket to finance a joint communication campaign.“, suggests Guillaume Balas. An idea also mentioned by Helen Micheaux who “Canal D communication is unique“Able to direct the general public to the necessary resources to benefit from the good repair bonus according to their needs. A solution by the European Union in its common laws aimed at promoting the repair of goods.”

And if Brussels is now concerned about these questions, salvation will not necessarily come from 27.”France is doing important work on waste remediation and prevention, but lacks a voice at the European level.“, notes Cristina Ganapini, coordinator of the Repair Europe movement.”Ecodesign laws are developing very slowly and the directive on the right to repair only applies to very few products“, continues the manager, who regrets that the durability index by the commission is a bit too slow on the essential question despite the cost of spare parts.

And now?

So what to do? There is no shortage of solutions to discuss during the opening of the International Repair Days. “Ban products that do not meet minimum sustainability index thresholds.“, suggest Helen to Mike.”Create an economical breath of fresh air to help move away from a throwaway society“, advises Séverine Bourlier.Establishing a state vision and foundation for a circular economy“, The Courage of Glaum Balas.The model for selling more washing machines is wearing thin.“And it’s time”Create value through service.”, philosopher Philip Motte.

In the meantime, to see these changes, you can always take your washing machine to one of the many repair training workshops that are held throughout France on weekends.